2023 Toyota GR Supra handbook unlocks new ranges of sports activities automotive enjoyable

It appeared like an oversight from the beginning. Why provide a sports activities automotive with no handbook transmission from the get-go if plans name for one later?

When Toyota launched A90-generation Supra for 2020 with a large help from BMW, the automotive got here solely with a really succesful ZF 8-speed computerized. Whereas that transmission has paddle shifters, a large portion of the patrons the Supra is supposed to draw nonetheless need the man-machine connection {that a} handbook gives. With out one, Toyota little question left gross sales on the desk.

Toyota cures that scenario for 2022 with the discharge of a 6-speed handbook for turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 variations of the automotive. Toyota invited Motor Authority to Park Metropolis, Utah, to expertise the brand new handbook on a 2-plus mile street course on the Utah Motorsports Campus. Laps across the observe, in addition to a extra subdued drive across the observe’s ring street, confirmed the handbook is a key ingredient the automotive was lacking, and it unlocks a enjoyable issue that each sports activities automotive ought to have.

BMW taste

The brand new handbook is constructed by ZF and was designed for the ability and torque of the BMW engine it serves. Nonetheless, Toyota representatives say the corporate’s engineers labored with ZF to provide it the character they needed for the Supra. They began with an current transmission housing and equipment set, however engineered a bigger clutch friction space and a stronger spring. In addition they eliminated a number of the acoustic supplies to avoid wasting weight and developed the brand new short-shifter.

Nonetheless, the BMW really feel isn’t misplaced. If something, this transmission takes the perfect of the BMW components and improves them with Toyota taste.

Driving a lap at a time, the flowing 12-turn course required solely the primary three gears. Instantly upon takeoff, the clutch felt gentle, with a pure, medium take-up level that makes it exhausting to stall and really straightforward to shift above first gear. Gear adjustments had a well-known gentle pop as I slotted them from gear to gear by way of a shift lever that’s barely shorter than typical BMW fare. The quick, satisfying shift motion would really feel proper at residence in the related Z4. The truth is, it will additionally barely enhance the texture of the handbook gearbox within the M3 and M4, largely because of the shorter shift lever.

The inline-6 additionally retains its BMW really feel. It revs as freely because it at all times has, with a meaty torque band that begins on the 1,800-rpm torque peak—truly a plateau that runs to five,000 rpm—and  builds easily and relentlessly as much as the 6,500-rpm redline

With the automated, the Supra is a fast automotive, posting a 0-60 mph time of three.9 seconds. Like most manuals, this 6-speed is slower, however solely a contact. Toyota quotes a 4.2-second 0-60 mph time for the handbook. That’s much less of a loss than the half-second or so most manuals scrub off, and it’s as a result of revised last gearing. With the handbook, Toyota offers the Supra a shorter 3.46 last gear ratio in comparison with 3.15 with the automated. The shorter gearing additionally makes it simpler to faucet into the ability upon nook exit to rocket to the subsequent nook.

Commonplace rev matching additionally retains the automotive steady when downshifting for turns with out the necessity for deft heel-and-toe motion. It’s turned on by default, however drivers can flip it off by means of the Particular person drive mode settings.

My observe drive proved that with the handbook the Supra could lose a number of the outright efficiency, however it makes up for it with driver engagement.

2022 revisions

Tweaks for 2022 on all fashions even have a slight impact on the Supra’s trip and dealing with. Toyota retuned the steering and adjusted the dampers for improved roll steadiness and trip consolation, however I couldn’t really feel it on the observe. It could take a back-to-back drive to note any distinction.

Within the twisties, the Supra continues to be a good, darty machine with a lot of grip and nice short-area agility. The steering stays fast and direct, however with out quite a lot of really feel for what’s occurring on the entrance wheels. And the rearward seating place nonetheless exposes occupants to the back-of-the-bus up-and-down motions over bumpy or damaged pavement.

Toyota additionally tames down the potential for lift-off oversteer for 2022, which we seen as a attainable concern after we first drove the automotive. We figured the automotive’s big-time energy might carry the rear finish round if the driving force will get on the gasoline too quickly when exiting a nook, and that’s when the 6-cylinder made 335 hp versus the 382 hp it acquired for 2021. The handbook makes that extra probably as a result of a attainable sudden clutch engagement mixed with a untimely kick of the throttle. To counter that concern, Toyota revised the soundness management program to intervene at an earlier level when there’s a sudden lack of grip with the suspension in its Sport mode.

I drove the Supra exhausting on the observe and by no means skilled any tendency for the rear finish to return round. I’ll not have felt the suspension and stability management adjustments Toyota made for 2022, however I additionally really feel they made the automotive safer throughout efficiency driving.

Manuals was a credit score possibility, however now they’re so uncommon they often simply tackle the worth of vehicles outfitted with the automated. That’s the case right here. Consumers can get the brand new 6-speed on the A90 Premium and A91 Special Edition fashions for free of charge.  The beginning value for the A90 Premium is unchanged from the automated’s at $56,745, whereas the A91 Particular Version runs $59,440 and is simply out there with the handbook.

A handbook within the Supra is an oversight no extra. It prices no extra money, and whereas it gained’t make the automotive rocket from 0-60 mph faster or go round a observe sooner, it would make it extra enjoyable for fans each time they row their very own gears. Isn’t that the purpose of a sports activities automotive within the first place?

Toyota paid for airfare, lodging, and observe entry for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.