The base four-cylinder 2020 Supra should be called ‘Just-OKpra’

You got the news yesterday, didn’t you? Yes, the Toyota Supra has finally (and officially) made a comeback – after countless teasers and leaked photos on the internet. We bet there’s no need for drumroll for that.

First of all, growing up admiring the glorious Japanese sports car on the big screen, we’d say we were expecting more. It’s okay, aesthetically, but we hoped Toyota did better in designing the coupe. But then again, looks are subjective, so you be the judge.

But, here’s the clincher. After 17 years of hibernation, Toyota was only able to give the car a +15 hp on power, as compared to the American-/Euro-spec 2ZJ-GTE of the past. There’s an improvement on its torque, too – an additional 68 Nm to be exact. However, considering the length of years it’s been out, don’t you think fans deserve better? Even the application of BMW Z4’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine let people down since the German roadster has 382 hp, as opposed to the Supra’s 335 hp. Plus, no option to buy a manual. Well, at least for now.

There’s actually a saving grace for the 2020 Supra. To stretch the range, Toyota is making a four-cylinder Supra available in Japan – a 2.0-liter inline-four, twin-scroll turbocharged engine that can either produce 254 hp or 194 hp. The latter is just a little below the power output of the current 86.

Forgive us for saying this, but the word Supra, which is a Latin prefix that means above or over, for the four-pot variants is a bit of an overstatement. Thanks to one of our editors’ wit, shouldn’t these base variants be called the Just-OKpra?

To be fair, the low-range 2020 Supra will initially be available in the Japanese market under the SZ-R and SZ badges. These four-pot variants will still use the eight-speed automatic transmission and employ a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. With a smaller engine, lighter weight, and lesser engine output, the SZ-R and SZ Supras could attract those who want the legendary sports coupe but are wary of fuel consumption. A ‘daily-driver’, so to speak. Does that make sense? Don’t ask us.

You may or may not like the 2020 Supra, or it could be that you might feel like it favors your taste at times. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, we’re 50-50 about it, too. Yet, despite all odds, it received positive feedbacks during its global prototype test drive last year in Australia. People who got to drive the inline-six Supra were so positive about the car, which is why we curiously want to test it out ourselves.

*2020 Toyota Supra 3.0 inline-six photos

Considering the impressions the MKV Supra earned, we can suspect that driving experience is its superior selling point. Besides, it features a set of two-mode adaptive variable suspension with rear multi-link setup and a unique double-joint spring strut front, along with the mentioned 50:50 weight distribution and low center of gravity. Those could actually be the real saving grace for this car, but we wouldn’t surely know until we get our hands on it.

So, are there hopes of seeing the Supra in the Philippines? That’s Toyota Motor Philippines’ position to answer.