We’ve heard rumors about the Supra Non-Stop and leaked documents have shown us that the BMW Z4 will make as much as 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. As such, the whole world has assumed that the Toyota Supra would use the same 3.0-liter inline-six and deliver similar figures. Even more so, the Z4 is slated to be offered with the option of a manual transmission, leaving hope to the dream that we’ll have that three-pedal goodness in the Supra too. All that information can be laid to rest, though, as Tetsuya Tada, Head of the MKV Supra Program, has said that the Supra is being developed with a dual-clutch transmission only. And, that has to do with it being so powerful and because it’s designed to be a race car, even in consumer form.

Three-Pedal Hate Runs Deep

For some reason, automakers seem to think that people don’t like the automatic transmission. And, Tada believes that because the Supra will be so powerful, a manual transmission isn’t necessary and a DCT will be more appropriate. Apparently, the torque of the engine will “make the shift feel worse.” “it is very doubtful whether a manual specification is necessary,” said Tada.

Of course, Tada admits that the Supra was being developed as a racing car from the beginning, even as a mass-produced car. Essentially, he believes that a car modified from stock for the track is a more complete machine. He has also said that the next Supra is aiming to be consistent with the “LM-GTE” class, where it will run among models like the Porsche 911, Ferrari 488, and the Ford GT, among others. With that in mind, the Supra will probably have more power off the production line than we previously thought.

That last bit of information is probably why the first official version of the Supra shown to the public was the Supra GR Racing Concept. It almost seems as if Toyota has designed a race car and will throw in all of the road-going goodies needed for mass production later. Even still, no manual transmission is kind of a stab to the back after waiting for so long for the name to return.

Final Thoughts

I’ll come right out and say it: Toyota is making a big mistake offering the Supra with only a DCT transmission. Sure, the automatic transmission, and the dual-clutch design has gained a lot of traction over the years on this side of the pond, but even Porsche was wise enough to eat its words and admit that there is a need for a manual transmission, so much so that two-thirds of the second-generation 911 GT3s produced have been ordered with a manual transmission. Sure, three pedals can cost you a few tenths of a second here and there if you’re going for best lap, but otherwise, there’s a connection between driver and car that two paddles behind the steering wheel will never be able to accomplish. Nope; that connection, and ultimate control, can only be had via three pedals and a manual shifter.

Porsche figured it out, so it’s a shame that Toyota hasn’t gotten it yet. Of course, Toyota has yet to answer the requests of enthusiasts who want a turbo 86 as well. Apparently, Toyota only cares about what it wants instead of its customers – no wonder it has taken so long for the Supra name to come back. I guess we should be happy the name wasn’t plastered to the side of an SUV, but that’s irrelevant at this point. There’s going to be a lot of people out there that want three pedals in their Supra, and Toyota won’t be able to deliver. Any bets the following generation will be offered with a manual transmission? I’d stake a few hundred bucks on it.

References

Toyota Supra

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Toyota Supra.

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