Toyota Supra Will Drive Differently than BMW Z4, Chief Engineer Says
Sport over comfort
The Toyota Supra doesn't arrive until next year, but we already know a lot about the new sports car. In an interview with Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, we learned the model will have a turbo inline-six, a hybrid variant, and a perfect 50:50 weight balance front to rear, as well as double the body rigidity of the Toyota 86. What we still don't know, of course, is how it drives. But speaking withMotoring Research, Tada confirms the Supra will have a distinct driving experience from its platform-mate, the BMW Z4.
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"Each company defined what we wanted and went from there," Tada reportedly said. The cars will share the same six-cylinder engine and gearbox. But, "both cars have completely different suspension and software calibration," he points out.
Tada also says the Supra will be a "pure sports car," adding "practicality and comfort were almost not considered." It shares its overall design with the GR Supra Racing Concept that debuted at the Geneva auto show earlier this year, although don't expect to see racing-specific features such as the intake scallops and oversized rear wing.
Tada also hinted at the possibility of a hotter Supra wearing the GRMN badge. "I would like to see something like that eventually," he said. "We are preparing for it."
The Supra will debut in the first half of 2019 and go on sale that same year. Meanwhile, the BMW Z4 could debut in production form sometime this summer before production begins at the end of 2018.
Source: Motoring Research
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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