Toyota finally unveiled the new-generation Supra at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. The unveiling comes after many years of rumors and several months of spy shots and teasers. It was one of the most anticipated vehicles for 2019, but now that it's out there, I think it's rather disappointing.
I know, it's rash to judge a sports car based on a launch event and without driving it, but it's not what it seems. I'm not saying the 2020 Supra is a bad sports car. I actually think it will prove itself performance-wise against the competition. I'm just saying that the fifth-generation Supra isn't worthy of its badge.
And here's why.
It's a BMW Z4 Underneath
This is fact. The Supra Mk.V is a BMW Z4 under the skin. It rides on the same rear-wheel drive architecture, it features the same twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and the same suspension setup front and rear. And this is actually why the Supra will deliver performance-wise.
But this is exactly what makes the Supra a sports car that shouldn't wear a "Supra" badge. It should even have a "Toyota" emblem either. This is a problem because the Supra became an iconic sports car because it was different. It was a no-nonsense machine, yet an engineering masterpiece, and set many new benchmarks. Toyota used exotic materials in the car's construction and redeveloped the 2JZ-GTE into a state-of-the-art flagship mill with sequential turbochargers.
You just can't take a BMW platform, slap your own body to it, recalibrate the underpinnings and call it a Supra. It's not a Supra, it's just a rebodied Z4.
BMW-sourced Interior Parts
Toyota created a unique interior for the Supra, but unlike the exterior, it features some elements that are clearly borrowed from BMW. The steering wheel is the first that catches the eye. Sure, Toyota revised the spokes and made some changes to the rim, but the controls are clearly similar. The same goes for the small control panel near the driver's door.
I know these things probably save Toyota some money, but again, the Supra isn't about saving money. It's about creating a unique vehicle and about setting new standards.
Uninspiring Design
While I must give Toyota credit for designing a unique exterior, the Supra isn't as impressive as it deserves. It's bubbly rather than sleek and it combines sharp and organic cues in a rather unpleasant way. And that nose. It looked great on the FT-1 concept, but it's out of place here.
The rear fenders also look out of place. They're too muscular for the rest of the car and the thin vent in the door seems pointless. Likewise, the round arch of the rear fender looks really bad in conjunction with the sharp frame of the quarter window. I also don't like how the coupe looks overall. The front hood is too short and the entire car doesn't look as sleek as its predecessor. When I think of the old Supra, I see a long, wide, and flat GT. The Mk. 5 just seems too small. Too similar to the Toyota 86.
Final Words
As I said, I'm well aware that the Supra might not have returned without this cooperation between Toyota and BMW. It's how the industry works and very few automakers are willing to develop vehicles from scratch and not share components with other nameplates. I don't mind that. I didn't mind when Toyota co-developed the 86 with Subaru or when Bentley, Porsche, and Audi started sharing Volkswagen Group platforms and engines. But the Supra is special, it's a legend and a badge that you can't slap on any vehicle.
Further Reading
Toyota Supra Returns After 21 Years with BMW Engine; And it's Not Cheap
Read our speculative review of the 2020 Toyota Supra
Read our full review on the 2020 Toyota Supra GR.
Check out our full review of the 2014 Toyota FT-1 Concept
Read our full, in-depth review of the 2019 BMW Z4