The Toyota Supra is a high-performance sports car that was first introduced in 1978. Over the years, the Supra has gone through several changes and upgrades. Here is a detailed history of the Toyota Supra

First Generation (A40): 1978-1981

The first generation Toyota Supra, also known as the A40, was produced from 1978 to 1981. It was based on the Toyota Celica platform, but was designed as a longer and wider sports car with a more powerful engine.

The A40 Supra was available in two different engine options: a 2.0-liter inline-four or a 2.6-liter inline-six. The larger engine was more powerful, producing up to 110 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque. The Supra also featured a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of design, the A40 Supra had a sleek and sporty look with pop-up headlights, flared fenders, and a long hood. The interior was relatively basic, but featured comfortable seats and a driver-oriented dashboard.

It was available with two engine options:

• 4M-E: This was a 2.6-liter inline-6 engine that produced 110 horsepower.
• 5M-E: This was a 2.8-liter inline-6 engine that produced 116 horsepower.

Overall, the A40 Supra was a popular sports car during its time, known for its reliability and performance. It laid the foundation for future generations of the Toyota Supra, which would become even more advanced and powerful in the years to come.

Second Generation(A60): 1982-1986

The second generation Toyota Supra, also known as the A60, was produced from 1981 to 1986. It was based on the Toyota Celica platform but had a longer wheelbase and a wider track, giving it a more aggressive stance.

The A60 Supra was available with two different engines: a 2.8-liter inline-six or a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. The 2.8-liter engine produced up to 145 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged version was even more powerful, producing up to 232 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque.

The A60 Supra also featured a new electronic fuel injection system, which improved fuel efficiency and engine performance. The suspension was upgraded to a fully independent system, which improved handling and ride quality.

In terms of design, the A60 Supra had a more aerodynamic and futuristic look compared to its predecessor, with a sloping hood and pop-up headlights. The interior was also upgraded, with more comfortable seats, a better dashboard layout, and improved instrumentation.

Overall, the A60 Supra was a significant improvement over the A40 model, offering better performance, handling, and styling. It helped establish the Supra’s reputation as a high-performance sports car, setting the stage for future generations of the Supra to come.

Third Generation (A70): 1986-1992

The third generation Toyota Supra, also known as the A70, was produced from 1986 to 1992. It was a significant departure from its predecessor, featuring a new, more modern design and improved performance.

The A70 Supra was available with two different engine options: a 3.0-liter inline-six or a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-six. The 3.0-liter engine produced up to 220 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged version was even more powerful, producing up to 276 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque. The A70 Supra also featured an advanced electronic suspension system, which improved handling and ride quality.

In terms of design, the A70 Supra had a more angular and aggressive look compared to its predecessor, with sharp lines and a retractable rear spoiler. The interior was also upgraded, with a more driver-focused cockpit and modern amenities like air conditioning and power windows.

One notable variant of the A70 Supra was the Mk III Turbo model, which was only available in the North American market. It featured the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which made it one of the fastest cars of its time, capable of reaching 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds.

Overall, the A70 Supra was a significant improvement over the A60 model, offering better performance, handling, and styling. It helped establish the Supra’s reputation as a high-performance sports car, and remains a popular and iconic model among Supra enthusiasts to this day.

The A70 Toyota Supra was available with several engine options depending on the market it was sold in. Here are the most common engines for this model:

• 2.0-liter 1G-GE inline-six: This engine was only available in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Supra, and produced up to 160 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque.
• 2.5-liter 1JZ-GTE turbocharged inline-six: This engine was available in some JDM and export markets, and produced up to 276 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.0-liter 7M-GE inline-six: This engine was the most common engine option in the A70 Supra, and was available in all markets. It produced up to 220 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.0-liter 7M-GTE turbocharged inline-six: This engine was only available in some export markets, and produced up to 232 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque.

All of these engines were paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission, depending on the market and trim level. The turbocharged engines typically had more advanced engine management systems, intercoolers, and other performance enhancements compared to the naturally aspirated engines.

Fourth Generation (A80): 1993-2002

The fourth generation Toyota Supra, also known as the A80, was produced from 1993 to 2002. It is considered by many to be the most iconic and desirable Supra model, thanks to its impressive performance and timeless design.

The A80 Supra was available with two different engine options: a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The naturally aspirated engine produced up to 220 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbocharged engine was capable of producing up to 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque.

The A80 Supra also featured advanced technology for its time, such as a six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and an electronically controlled suspension system. It also had a drag coefficient of just 0.31, which made it one of the most aerodynamic cars of its era.

In terms of design, the A80 Supra had a sleek, modern look, with a long hood, short overhangs, and a distinctive “double bubble” roof. The interior was also upgraded, with a driver-focused cockpit and modern amenities like automatic climate control and a premium sound system.

The A80 Supra gained even more popularity after it was featured in the first Fast and Furious movie, where it was driven by the character Brian O’Conner. This helped solidify the Supra’s reputation as a high-performance sports car and made it an icon of the 1990s and early 2000s tuning scene.

Overall, the A80 Supra remains a highly sought-after sports car among enthusiasts, thanks to its impressive performance, advanced technology, and timeless design.

Fifth Generation (A90): 2019-Present

The fifth-generation Toyota Supra, also known as the A90, was introduced in 2019 after a long hiatus of more than 20 years since the last Supra model. The A90 Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and shares many of its components with the BMW Z4.

The A90 Supra is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces up to 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which allows for quick and smooth gear changes. The Supra also features an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and a sports-tuned suspension for improved handling and performance.

In terms of design, the A90 Supra has a sleek and modern look, with a low hood, wide stance, and sculpted lines. The interior is also modern and high-tech, with a driver-focused cockpit and advanced features like a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display.

One of the most notable features of the A90 Supra is its advanced driving aids and safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Despite some criticism from fans of the previous Supra models for sharing components with BMW, the A90 Supra has received positive reviews for its performance, handling, and overall driving experience. It continues to be a highly sought-after sports car among enthusiasts and has helped revitalize the Supra brand for a new generation.

What about it makes it popular?

The Toyota Supra has gained popularity over the years due to its unique combination of performance, style, and reliability. Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to the Supra’s popularity:

1. Legendary heritage: The Supra has a long history that dates back to the 1970s, and it has built a reputation as an iconic sports car that is known for its performance and speed.
2. Performance: The Supra is a high-performance sports car that is designed to deliver an exciting driving experience. It is equipped with a powerful engine and advanced handling technologies that allow it to handle curves and corners with precision.
3. Stylish design: The Supra has a sleek and stylish design that is both modern and timeless. Its aerodynamic body and aggressive styling give it a bold and confident look that turns heads on the road.
4. Reliability: Toyota is known for its reliability, and the Supra is no exception. It is built to last and is equipped with high-quality components and advanced safety features that provide peace of mind for drivers.
5. Tuning community: The Supra has become a popular choice for car enthusiasts who enjoy modifying and tuning their vehicles. Its strong engine and responsive handling make it a great platform for performance upgrades, and there is a thriving community of Supra enthusiasts who share their knowledge and expertise.

Overall, the Supra has been a beloved sports car for many car enthusiasts, with its sleek design and impressive performance. Its long history has seen many engine upgrades, and it continues to be a popular choice among car enthusiasts today.