Every year TopGear SA pits the best performance cars against each other to find the worthiest of them all. Last year, our selection was broad, and we had the privilege to test these rockets in a stunning mountain pass called Slaaihoek. The Toyota Mk5 Supra Manual was the one which I was looking forward to driving the most. Even though it wasn't the most powerful relative to the other competitors, we discovered an exhilarating sense of engagement in this nippy coupe.
The new(ish) Supra is a car many didn't take seriously, expecting more from Toyota as the name Supra has always had a monstrous impact on the car community. Many were upset as this iconic remake comprised mostly of BMW components, and I agree to an extent. However, my opinion of the car quickly changed once I got behind the wheel.
Being of a bigger physical build, I found the Supra a tricky car to get into and out of. However, once comfortably seated, you get a thrilling feeling that you're in a vehicle designed with the driver at its core, with a great seating position and a cosy cabin layout. The pre-production model was designed with an automatic in mind as the centre console sits relatively high, ultimately leading to an awkward shifting sensation.
Still, the interior is a pleasant space with an easy-to-use display and an efficient instrument binnacle, albeit not particularly sophisticated. I enjoyed spending time inside the Supra. It has a unique feel once inside and encourages you to drive.
You grow to love the manual iteration of the Supra. The first time driving it, I struggled to get to grips with the car. A lot of power is produced by its BMW twin-turbo V6, 285 kW to be exact, with 500 Nm of torque. Unsurprisingly, planting your foot off the line leads to an exciting loss of traction. Its power output is predictable, so with some seat time, you learn how to work with it.
The all-new 6-speed manual box is the star of the show. It's a good box with a short throw which we car guys love, notchy gears and a comfy-in-hand gear lever. With this much power transferred through an engaging box, it is easy to become overwhelmed at first. The Supra comes alive once you get used to this gearbox and motor. The rewarding feeling you experience when mastering this car is enlightening, and I admittedly formed a bond with it. A sense that you've earned the right to drive it hard.
Although the automatic box in the Supra might be a little faster, with a time of 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h in the manual, compared to 4.1 seconds in the automatic, you don't get a feeling as though you are missing out. The driving experience doesn't compete with a manual box. You feel more involved in day-to-day driving, and climbing through mountain passes is that much more exciting in the manual. It's a car for people who appreciate driving as a skill or an art form.
The rev-matching, however controversial, is a stunning feature in this car, especially if it's your first time driving it hard. The sensation of downshifting before a corner without manually having to heel-and-toe is beneficial when playing with such a tail-happy car. Yes, some will complain that it removes an element of what makes a manual fun. Yet the majority of owners wouldn't ever use heel-and-toe anyways. Nevertheless, the manual box makes the Toyota Mk5 Supra a proper driver's car.
The BMW-sourced engine is astonishing, producing ample power for a small rear-wheel-drive coupe, and the acceleration is responsive and exhilarating. The turbos spool quickly, providing a smooth and linear power delivery. The chassis is tight and responsive, making the Supra a joy to drive on winding roads, but a few creaks and rattles did surface. Then again, it was a pre-production model.
While the Supra is a relatively expensive sportscar at R1,417,500, it scores well on the maintenance front with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty and a 5-service/100,000 km service plan. And fuel economy? Toyota claims an average of 8.9 l/100 km. Realistically, though, that's only reserved for the Sunday cruise. Expect to see double digits on the other six days of the week.
Overall, I am relieved that we have finally got the manual GR Supra in South Africa, the Mk5 we had before is a good car, however, the manual not only pushes away the Z4 stereotypes by having a manual option, but it dramatically heightens the driving experience.
You get a sense that you are in something special. It's a rewarding car, and I'm yet to drive a car as personally intuitive as the manual iteration of Toyota's revered sports car. I look forward to seeing the production version since the rumour mill suggests that the shifting column's position has improved – one of my only gripes with the car. And with all said and done, I can't help but wish it had a manual badge – so that everybody knows it's the special Supra.
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