Although automatic transmission makes driving a sports car less daunting for the inexperienced, it also takes away the fun from more enthusiastic drivers. So, after mulling about an 8-speed automatic, the Toyota GR Supra finally arrives with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The manual transmission has been developed to extract as much performance from the 3.0-litre turbo engine. The gearbox features rev matching during downshifts, although you can still heel-toe that.
Still powered by the same 3.0-litre straight-six with a twin-scroll turbocharger, the GR Supra runs with 388PS and 500Nm of torque transferred only to the rear wheels. Mated to the 6-speeder, the Supra goes to 100kph from zero in 4.4 seconds, versus the 4.1 seconds with the 8-speed automatic.
Across both transmission offerings, Toyota GR engineers have also further refined the steering and suspension characteristics by modifying the stabiliser bushings and retuning the adaptive variable suspension. The chassis control systems have also been recalibrated to improve handling performance and ride comfort.
Besides having a 50:50 weight distribution, the superior driving dynamics of the GR Supra are enhanced with Adaptive Variable Suspension and Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential. Drivers can also further customise some of the settings to extend the performance envelope of the sportscar and reduce the intervention of electronic aids. 19-inch forged alloy rims are standard, with 255/35 tyres in front and 275/35 tyres in the rear.
The GR Supra comes standard with Toyota Supra Safety technologies that let the driver takes the car to its limits safely. These technologies include a variety of active systems which work together to assist the driver when necessary. While cruise control is present in the manual transmission variant, the automatic variant adds the adaptive capability welcomed in heavy traffic situations. Additionally, there are features like the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Intelligent Parking Sensor with Emergency Braking Function and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
As a sports car, the interior of the GR Supra has been laid out with a driver-centric approach. Its long list of standard features includes leather upholstery, Heads-Up Display, electrically-adjustable sports seats, an electrochromatic rearview mirror, and a 12-speaker JBL audio system.
Customers can choose from eight sporty and striking colours – Prominence Red, Lighting Yellow, White Metallic, Black Metallic, Dawn Blue Metallic, Volcanic Ash Grey Metallic, Matte Avalanche White Metallic and Matte Storm Grey Metallic.
The new Toyota GR Supra with 6-speed manual transmission will cost you RM645,000 on-the-road with insurance while the 8-speed automatic will set you back another RM10,000, ringing the register to RM655,000. If the GR Supra isn’t your thing for whatever reason, the GR Corolla or GR86 are sports cars with gears you can row yourself.
