Supra Mkv: Austrian-Made?

The fifth-generation Toyota Supra, also known as the GR Supra, is manufactured at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. The fifth-generation Supra is the first model to be produced in Austria, with previous generations being assembled in Japan. The Magna Steyr plant also produces the G29 BMW Z4 alongside the Supra.

The fifth-generation Toyota Supra is assembled in Graz, Austria

Magna Steyr is a world-leading brand-independent automotive supplier with expertise in design, engineering, and complete vehicle manufacturing. The company has produced more than 3.5 million vehicles for various customers.

The fifth-generation Supra is assembled alongside the G29 BMW Z4, with which it shares many parts. The Supra is built on a platform developed in collaboration with BMW, which also supplies the engines.

The Graz plant is the same one that produced the BMW Z4 and previous generations of the Supra. The decision to assemble the fifth-generation Supra in Austria was likely influenced by the desire to reduce costs and leverage the expertise of Magna Steyr in sports car manufacturing.

The fifth-generation Supra is marketed as the GR Supra and is the successor to the A80 Supra, which ceased production in 2002. It is the first new Supra model in 17 years and was unveiled at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The fifth-generation Supra has received numerous awards, including "Best New Sports Car" by Auto Bild magazine and "Car of the Year" by Esquire magazine. It has also been included in Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list for multiple years.

The Supra is built alongside the G29 BMW Z4

The fifth generation of the Toyota Supra, also known as the A90 or MKV, is built alongside the G29 BMW Z4 at a plant in Graz, Austria. The production of these vehicles is facilitated by Magna Steyr, a brand-independent automotive supplier with expertise in design, engineering, and complete vehicle manufacturing. The collaboration between Toyota and BMW resulted in the development of two distinct vehicles that share certain components and performance characteristics.

The Toyota Supra and the BMW Z4 differ in their body styles, with the Supra being a coupe and the Z4 retaining its predecessor's roadster configuration but replacing the folding metal roof with a power-folding soft top to reduce weight. Both vehicles are rear-wheel drive, and while the Z4 offers two engine options, the specific engine powering the Supra has been the subject of speculation. However, it is suggested that the Supra could also utilise a BMW engine, with the B58 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 engine being a likely candidate.

The production capacity at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, is estimated at 60,000 combined units of the Z4 and Supra annually for worldwide consumption. This collaboration between Toyota and BMW showcases the benefits of joint ventures in the automotive industry, allowing both companies to leverage shared resources and expertise to develop and produce their respective sports cars.

The Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 share some similarities in terms of performance and underlying technology, but they also exhibit distinct characteristics that set them apart. The Supra's styling has been praised, and it offers a unique sports car experience. On the other hand, the Z4 provides a more comfortable and refined daily driving experience, with improvements in the interior design and technology offerings.

The Supra's name is derived from the Latin prefix meaning above, to surpass or go beyond

The name "Supra" is derived from the Latin prefix "suprā", which means "above", "beyond", "on the top", "more than", or "earlier". The word "supra" is used in English to mean "earlier in this writing" or simply "above".

The Toyota Supra is a sports car that was introduced in the 15th century and has since gone through various models and generations, with the most recent one being the MKV. The first 2020 Toyota Supra rolled off the assembly line at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, in early 2019.

The choice of the name "Supra" for this car model is likely rooted in its meaning of "going beyond" or "being above", conveying a sense of surpassing or exceeding expectations. This connotation aligns with the desire to create a vehicle that stands out in the market, offering exceptional performance, design, or features that elevate it above its competitors.

The Latin origin of the name underscores the idea of the Supra as a sophisticated and prestigious car. By drawing on the ancient language, Toyota conveys a sense of timelessness and classic elegance. The name "Supra" also evokes a sense of authority and superiority, suggesting that the car is in a league of its own, surpassing other vehicles in its class.

The name "Supra" serves as a powerful marketing tool, capturing the attention of consumers and conveying a promise of exceptional performance, luxury, or status. The Latin root adds a layer of depth and sophistication to the car's branding, resonating with consumers who appreciate not only the car's physical attributes but also the story and meaning behind its name.

In conclusion, the name "Supra" is a strategic choice that communicates Toyota's ambition to create a vehicle that transcends the ordinary, offering an extraordinary driving experience that goes beyond what is expected in the automotive world.

The Supra has been used in NASCAR

The Toyota Supra is a globally-recognised sports car that has proven its mettle in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). The iconic car made its NASCAR debut on February 16, 2019, at the NXS race in Daytona.

Toyota worked with its subsidiaries, TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) and Calty Design Research, Inc. (Calty), to develop the Supra for NASCAR competition. The two teams scaled the Supra to fit within NASCAR’s specifications for race vehicle entries in the NXS. The NASCAR Supra was designed by the same team that designed the 2018 Toyota Camry, which clinched the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

The decision to bring the Supra to NASCAR was influenced by one of Toyota's chief engineers, Tatsuya Tada, whose first car was an old used Supra. Tada's initial designs for the Supra caught the eye of Toyota executives, who recognised that NASCAR would be an excellent platform to showcase the vehicle. Tada's vision for the Supra included seeing it on the racetrack, and he has been supportive of the project every step of the way.

The Supra's entry into NASCAR was highly anticipated, with rumours circulating that it would be moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series. However, Toyota announced that the 2021 GR Supra would be racing in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge instead of the NASCAR Cup Series. The decision was partly due to the manufacturers' focus on finishing the Next Gen cars for the upcoming season.

While the Supra has not yet reached the NASCAR Cup Series, its presence in the NASCAR Xfinity Series marks a significant step for the iconic sports car's return to American motorsport.

The Supra was tuned and developed with extensive testing at the Nürburgring

The Toyota GR Supra is a sports car produced by Toyota since 2019. The fifth-generation Supra was tuned and developed with extensive testing at the Nürburgring. The car was unveiled at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, who announced that its performance and design lineage could be traced to the famed 2000GT.

The Supra was developed in partnership with BMW, which also shares the platform and many parts with the BMW Z4. The model is designated with BMW model codes "J29" or "DB", but Toyota used the "A90" and "A91" codes for promotional and marketing materials to maintain lineage from the previous Supra. The Supra is manufactured at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, alongside the Z4.

The Supra rides on a platform developed by Toyota and BMW, with a short wheelbase, wide track, and low centre of gravity. The car is offered in three trim levels, which are the SZ, SZ-R and RZ. The SZ model is powered by a 2.0-litre engine and is equipped with 17-inch single-tone wheels, manual seats, black fabric upholstery, dark silver trim and a 4-speaker sound system. The SZ-R model is powered by a more powerful variation of the 2.0-litre engine and is equipped with 18-inch two-tone wheels, eight-way powered seats, Alcantara/black leather upholstery, carbon fibre trim, 8.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with 12-speaker JBL stereo sound system and a head-up display. The RZ model is powered by a 3.0-litre engine and is equipped with 19-inch two-tone wheels, Alcantara/red leather upholstery, sports pedals and the same interior equipment as the SZ-R model.

The Supra has received numerous awards, including Auto Bild magazine's "Golden Steering Wheel" award for Best New Sports Car in 2019, and was named the "Car of the Year" by Esquire magazine. In 2020, the GR Supra won Sport Auto magazine's "Best Handling Car 2020", and was Automobile magazine's 2020 Automobile All-Stars winner. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) awarded the fifth-generation GR Supra as the "Sport Compact of the Year" in 2021.

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