(upbeat music)
Hi, I'm Tom Kretschmann with Toyota.
We're here at Texas Motor Speedway today
to introduce the return of a legend.
The 2020 Toyota Supra.
With me today is Scott Pruett,
legendary sports car driver,
and we're gonna give you a chance
to take this car out and tell us all about it.
- Tom, I am so excited.
I've been following the return of this,
and what's been going on.
I grew up with Supra.
I love Supra, owned a Supra early on,
and for you guys to give me the opportunity
to go drive one,
I couldn't be more excited.
This day couldn't come fast enough.
In fact, you know what,
I'm gonna go jump in this thing right now.
- All right, Scott.
Go for it.
While Scott's out driving the car,
we're gonna tell you a little bit more about the details.
- [Narrator] When it debuted at
the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit,
the all new GR Supra marked the return of Toyota's
premier sports car.
Behind the new Supra stands a 50 plus year lineage
of unique Toyota sports and GT cars
that began in 1962 with a Sports 800,
and continues today with
Toyota Gazoo Racing's prestigious victories.
The new Supra brings that lineage into the modern era
with a distinctive, one-of-a-kind,
fully forward-looking sports car.
An all-new expression of pure Toyota performace,
with a unique personality that's all its own.
(upbeat drum beat)
With GR Supra, instead of targeting certain specs,
such as horsepower and circuit lap times,
Toyota engineers set out to create a pure sports car
focused on the fun of driving.
Supra's all-new platform features a short wheel base,
a wide track, and a low center of gravity
for exceptional agility.
Under the skin, the classic straight-six
rear wheel drive layout returns,
helping deliver a near 50:50 weight distribution
for balanced, responsive handling.
Toyota sports car heritage is evident throughout.
The double-bubble roof design, for example,
recalls the Toyota 2000GT.
Functionally, it reduces drag by shaving the roof center
to reduce the aerodynamic frontal area,
without sacrificing occupant head room.
The front fascia was inspired by
the fourth-generation Supra,
yet is even more expressive
with a prominent center grille section
flanked by large air intakes.
The new Supra features distinctive signature lighting
with six-lens LED headlights,
accented by LED daytime running lamps and turn-signals.
At the rear, the prominent integrated spoiler,
which helps to suppress aerodynamic lift,
pays homage to the tall rear wing
that was available on the fourth-gen Supra Turbo.
The tail lamps feature a simple design
with turn, tail, and stop lamps integrated into
the distinctive main ring shape.
Standard on the new Supra are 19-inch forged alloy wheels.
Staggered with the rear wheels and tires
wider than on the front to enhance grip.
High performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
put the power to the ground,
while large Brembo brakes help keep things under control.
(upbeat music)
Let's see how Scott is doing.
- From the moment that you step on the brakes,
they have this really nice progression to max friction,
and it lets you be very precise when you are braking,
downshifting, working your way to apex,
where you know exactly where the car is.
And, then that transition point,
where you're tipping back into the throttle.
- [Narrator] The GR Supra delivers 335 HP,
and 365 LB-FT of torque,
from its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine.
Torque comes on strong, from very low engine speeds,
thanks to an efficient twin-scrolled turbocharger,
direct fuel injection dual variable valve timing,
and variable lift on the intake.
- Once you do tip back into throttle,
how progressive the engine power,
the torque and horsepower is
when you're accelerating up and off the turns.
- [Narrator] This potent power plant is mated
to a superb ZF 8-Speed automatic transmission.
Drivers have the option to manually shift through
the gears via paddle shifters,
or allow the car to automatically shift.
Downshifts are rev-matched, ensuring
smooth, crisp gear changes during spirited driving.
Drive Mode Select allows the driver to choose between two
distinct driving profiles to suit their driving preference.
Normal offers standard settings optimized for balanced,
every day driving.
Sport mode provides true track-driving capabilities.
Throttle and transmission response is enhanced,
with each gear held longer.
Steering weight and suspension damping
are increased to help improve feedback and control.
And, the active differential engages more aggressively
to help carve corners efficiently.
And, a louder, more aggressive exhaust note
provides the perfect soundtrack.
- When I'm turned into the turn right now,
and I'm getting it all the way down the exit,
the car is real predictable, real stable.
As I go back to throttle,
nice hook up in the rear.
I'm not fighting the front,
I'm not fighting the rear trying
to get out from underneath me,
which tells me the differential is doing a good job
at managing what it needs to manage throughout
the whole turn.
- [Narrator] With a simple press
of this button while in Sport Mode,
drivers can enable Traction Mode.
This reduces VSC intervention slightly,
increasing the range of driver control,
and providing greater freedom during more spirited driving.
Supra also features Launch Control,
providing estimated 0-60 acceleration in 4.1 seconds,
making this Supra the quickest Toyota production vehicle
to date.
Supra supplies performance driving enthusiasts
with an active differential that uses
an electronically-controlled, multi-plate clutch
to precisely control torque distribution
between the rear wheels from 0 to 100%.
This enables greater momentum through a corner,
and ensures neutral handling by reducing both
understeer and oversteer.
Supra features a new double-joint type MacPherson strut
front suspension, with two lower arms mounted to
an extremely rigid subframe.
Extensive use of aluminum helps to reduce weight,
and achieve a near 50:50 front to rear weight distribution.
And, sport-tuned variable assist electric power steering,
provides precise handling.
The multi-link rear suspension features lightweight
high-rigidity arms and links to reduce unsprung weight,
and improve road surface tracking capability
for direct steering response,
as well as agile handling and stability.
The standard adaptive variable suspension system
adjusts damping force up to 100 times a second
in response to driver input and road conditions,
to help provide optimum control.
- And all those things together
just make it fun to drive.
- [Narrator] The cockpit blends traditional GT elements
with ultra-modern functionality.
The low, narrow-section dash gives the driver expansive
forward visibility.
Ideal for precisely placing the car in corners,
while controls are logically placed
within easy reach of the driver.
A high-definition color display places key information
directly in front of the driver,
so they can focus on driving.
The multi-information display puts multimedia information
on the right side.
The center console has an asymmetrical shape,
that tightly envelopes the driver.
After extensive track testing,
padding was added to provide comfort during hard cornering.
The passenger's side of the console, meanwhile,
is open for a roomy feel.
As both an every day sports car,
and an occasional track car,
Supra features standard racing-inspired 14-way
power adjustable seats with memory.
Adjustable side bolster width
and 4-way power lumbar support provide a tailored fit.
Supra's smartly trimmed luggage area
is accessed via a lightweight composite rear hatch.
(upbeat music)
Equipped as a premium GT,
Supra features an impressive array of functional
and premium comfort and convenience features.
This fifth generation Supra delivers
a state of the art multimedia
and connectivity experience, as well.
(upbeat music)
The new GR Supra comes equipped
with eight standard air bags and Supra Safety,
a suite of advanced driver assistance features.
And, a driver assist package is available for all models.
- So, now that you know about the engineering
that went into the Supra,
- That was awesome!
- Let's get Scott's reaction.
(laughing)
Scott what'd you think?
- What a great car.
You know, it's difficult to live up to Supra,
that car lives up to Supra.
I'm really impressed with the 50/50 weight distribution.
As you know, it's so difficult to get
with a front engine car.
- Mhm.
- The precision of the steering was awesome.
Going up through the slalom, the fast slalom,
it was right there at my fingertips all the time.
It's a big challenge to come up with
a true performance sports car,
and Toyota, this is their performance sports car.
- Thanks, Scott.
Thanks for giving us the rundown.
- Thanks, Tom.
It was my pleasure, but you know what,
I gotta go spend some more time in that thing.
- All right, have fun.
- I gotta go, thanks.
- Stay tuned for more videos from Toyota.
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