It feels like a veritable lifetime, but it has finally happened, the all-new Toyota Supra was launched today at the Detroit Motor Show. The looks are no surprise as the images of the car have been leaking onto the internet for some back, including from official sources, as seen here a few weeks ago.

True to form

The new Toyota GR Supra, to give its full name has the hallmarks of Supra models that have come before. It features a front-mounted, inline-six engine that drives the rear wheels. The turbocharged 3,0-litre produces 250 kW of power and 500 N.m of peak torque. The motor is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A launch control function enables acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4,3 seconds.

The driver can take control of gear changes using paddle shifters on the steering wheel and can select Normal or Sport driving modes to suit their preference. Engine note and response, shift patterns, suspension damping, steering and differential response are adjusted when the driver selects Sport mode. Enthusiastic drivers will be happy to note that the electronic stability programme has a special ‘track’ setting that reduces the level of intervention.

The new Toyota Supra will be fitted with an active mechanical locking differential that operates when accelerating and decelerating. It can adjust from zero to full, 100 per cent lock almost instantaneously. A dedicated ECU monitors steering wheel angle, throttle and brake pedal operation, engine speed and yaw rate, to trigger the actuator.

Suspension set-up

To ensure that the new Toyota Supra lives up the hype development engineers have been pounding laps at racetracks all over the world, most notably the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Interestingly, its wheelbase is shorter than the GT86 coupe, but the tyres are larger. The car has a wide stance and ideal 50:50 mass distribution.

Click here to see a video of Double Apex tackling the ‘Ring.

All models will be fitted as standard with lightweight but highly rigid 19-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. These are slightly wider at the rear than the front. Four-pot Brembo calipers are standard fare. The suspension design comprises double-joint spring MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear.

Good news is that the new Toyota Supra will be introduced into the South African market before the middle of 2019.

The chaps over at Car Wow got an early look at the new model; you can watch their video by clicking here.