The Supra is Toyota’s halo performance car, the company’s equivalent to the Chevrolet Corvette. During this crazy time in world history, having something to look forward to would be more than welcome. And the 2021 Supra provides something to look forward to in spades.
Yes, as most enthusiasts are aware, BMW designed and built the underpinnings of the Supra. But the Supra engineers had their time tweaking and tuning the chassis to create a different experience compared with the BMW Z4. The result is something that is a lot of fun and still gets the street cred of enthusiasts.
Mo’ Powa!
For 2021, to keep the power up and allow the Supra to break into the sub-four-second 0-60 mph ranks is more turbocharged power, boosting output of the Supra’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six from 335 hp at 5,000-6,500 rpm to 382 hp at 5,800-6,500 rpm. This is a 14% increase. Torque rises from 365 lb.-ft. at 1,600-4,500 rpm to 368 lb.-ft. at 1,800-5,000 rpm.
Also new in 2021 will be a four-cylinder Supra, for those looking to get the looks without spending so much money … and for a handful of track-racing enthusiasts looking to shed weight. With 255 horsepower, it still will be a decent performer.
Special Editions
For the 2021 Supra scheduled to hit dealerships in June, Toyota is offering 1,000 new A91 Editions. These special-edition Supras will be available in a choice of two colors, Nocturnal or Refraction. The latter, a blue exclusive to the A91 Edition, is an all-new color for the car. Accenting the Supra’s concept-car-inspired body are a rear black carbon fiber lip spoiler, matte black wheels, C-pillar graphics and carbon fiber mirror caps. There’s also the black Alcantara leather-trimmed interior with blue contrast. The front Brembo brake calipers are painted red and feature the “TOYOTA Supra” logo.
If you were one of the first customers to get the 2020 Supra, these modifications can be done by your local mobile enhancement specialist to keep your ride looking current.
All Supra models for 2021 will feature the 8.8-inch audio touchscreen that is standard on the 2020 3.0 Premium model; the base model’s 6.5-inch screen has been discontinued. We are glad that Toyota has stepped up its infotainment game, but even the 8.8-inch screen could still be a candidate for an upgrade from your local mobile electronics specialist. The infotainment unit features wireless Apple CarPlay, but unfortunately not Android Auto.
Audio Choices
Three audio systems are available for the Supra. The base unit was engineered for the four-cylinder model and has only four speakers to combat weight. The mid-grade audio system was designed by Toyota and features 10 speakers. It sounds decent but could use a little aftermarket tweaking. Finally, a 12-speaker, 500-watt JBL audio system is available. However, we would opt for the 10-speaker system coupled to the 8.8-inch screen and tweak off of that one.
On the safety front, the Supra has full-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Parking Sensors with Emergency Braking Function. We love this feature as it can prevent you from accidentally wrecking the back end of your vehicle. Similar devices are also available from the aftermarket, but with an audio alert. If you have a classic Supra (or any other vehicle), it is worth looking into to protect your ride.
But How Does It Compare to the Competition?
The closest competition to the new Supra is the new wildly hot Corvette. The new Chevy features mid-engine engineering and blistering supercar performance for the price. But the badass GR Supra starts under $50K, while the Corvette starts at $59K. Additionally, most Corvettes right now are models coming in at the $70K price point. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we don’t know what this will mean at the dealership, but most likely prices for the Supra and Corvette will come down as demand dwindles.
Eventually there will be sunshine on the horizon, and there is nothing better for the soul than a spirited Sunday drive. The Supra is among the best of the bunch to satisfy that craving for a Sunday drive, even if its performance numbers are slightly lower than the new Corvette’s. The Supra still offers loads of street cred, and it may become the better bargain of the two. All we can comment is during this tough time in human history it that it’s still nice to have options, and the Supra is a wonderful option.
