The History of the Toyota Supra
Created by Tiago Fernandes at Thursday, 27 February 2025
The Toyota Supra is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history, especially in the world of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) culture. From its introduction in the late 1970s to the present day, the Supra has been synonymous with performance, cutting-edge engineering and personalisation potential. Its legendary status was cemented by the 2JZ-GTE engine, one of the most robust and powerful in automotive history, capable of reaching over 1,000 horsepower with relatively simple modifications.
In this article, we explore the evolution of the Supra's five generations, the impact it has had on the automotive world and why it remains one of the world's most desirable sports cars.
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The history and evolution of the Toyota Supra
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First generation (A40/A50; 1978-1981)
The first Supra was born as an evolution of the Toyota Celica, and was initially called the Celica Supra. The main difference with the traditional Celica was the engine: a more powerful and refined 2.6-litre in-line six-cylinder (4M-E), designed to compete with European models of the time. The design was similar to the Celica Liftback, but with a longer body to accommodate the new engine.
Although it was closer to a grand tourer than a true sports car, this model was the first step towards what would become a performance icon.
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Second generation (A60; 1981-1985)
The second generation kept the base of the Celica, but received a more angular design, characteristic of the 1980s, and was the first Supra to feature the famous scalloped headlights. The engine also evolved, with six-cylinder options of up to 2.8 litres (5M-GE), reaching 175 hp in the most powerful version.
It was also at this time that the Supra began to show a competitive interest, taking part not only in rally events, but also in track competitions.
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Third generation (A70; 1986-1993)
The real Supra as an independent model appeared in 1986, with the A70. Toyota definitively separated the Supra from the Celica range, giving it its own identity and a clear focus on performance.
Equipped with six-cylinder engines, including the 3.0-litre 7M-GTE turbo version, the A70 delivered 232 hp. In Japan, there was also a 2.0-litre twin-turbo 1G-GTE version with 210 hp, developed to circumvent taxes on larger engines.
The introduction of technologies such as active suspension and a self-locking differential showed that the Supra was evolving into a true sports car.
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Fourth generation (A80; 1993-2002)
The fourth generation (A80) is considered the most iconic. Launched in 1993, this version brought a modern, aerodynamic design, eliminating the more angular elements of previous generations.
The real highlight was the 2JZ-GTE engine, a 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder, which produced 280 hp in Japan (due to the ‘Gentlemen's Agreement’) and 320 hp in the European and American versions. However, its structure allowed for easy modifications, reaching over 800bhp with the original internal components and over 1,000bhp with more in-depth modifications.
Its popularity exploded when the model appeared in the film ‘The Fast and the Furious’ (2001), where a heavily modified orange Supra became one of the most iconic cars in cinema.
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Fifth Generation (A90; 2019-present)
After a 17-year absence, the Supra returned in 2019 with the fifth generation, known as the A90.
This model was developed in partnership with BMW, sharing the platform with the BMW Z4 and equipped with the B58 3.0-litre turbocharged engine capable of producing 340 hp. Although it was criticised for not using a pure Toyota engine, the new Supra managed to retain the essence of a true sports car, with excellent weight distribution and impressive performance.
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Why is the Toyota Supra still one of the most desirable models?
The 2JZ-GTE engine has become legendary for its robustness and modification capacity;
Its presence in films and video games, such as The Fast and the Furious and Gran Turismo, increased its iconic status;
High valuation on the market, with original models reaching values of over 150,000 euros;
Extreme customisation capacity, making it a favourite among preparers and enthusiasts;
A timeless design that continues to be a benchmark in the automotive world.
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The Toyota Supra isn't just a car - it's a milestone in automotive history and one of the most respected machines ever built. Its legacy lives on, whether on the roads, on the tracks or in the garages of enthusiasts who continue to push its potential to the max.
With its unforgettable design, legendary engine and immortal status in car culture, the Supra remains one of the most desirable sports cars of all time.
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Translated with DeepL.com
