Written by Marco Carvajal
2023 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium
The Supra has a great reputation in the sports car segment. When we hear the name Supra we remember the cool sporty Supra from the past that now has been reborn as the new GR Supra.
Toyota resurrected the Supra back in 2020 with an automatic transmission. Now for 2023 The highlight of the new Supra is its new advanced manual transmission, MT, available on the new 2023 GR Supra 3.0, and the GR Supra 3.0 Premium.
The newly developed 6-speed manual transmission has been engineered and tuned specifically for use with the sporty Supra. The new intelligent Manual Transmission iMT has been programmed with new software that prioritizes sporty performance.
The Supra’s new stick shift is something that its fans have been waiting for since the Supra was launched back in 2020.
This manual transmission has a new stick shift option on the 2023 GR Supra for faster acceleration and more performance.
The Supra is a classic sports car originally released by Toyota in 1978. The original Supra was derived and influenced by the Toyota Celica.
The name Supra comes from Latin, meaning “above” or “to surpass”. The first four generations of the Supra were produced from 1978 to 2002 when the Supra stopped being produced for almost 20 years until the new 2020 Supra was released again by Toyota.
Twenty-two years ago the classic sports sedan Supra left the U.S. It has been two decades since Toyota stopped producing the beloved Supra.
Back in 2020, Toyota surprised many of us with the release of the Supra, a completely renovated Supra.
The new Supra is an advanced engineering mixture of German and Japanese car technology and design. Its bodywork is shared with the sporty BMW Z4, including its engine and gearbox.
The 2023 Supra has an improved take-off, and the final drive ratio has been shortened, from 3.15 in the GR Supra automatic to 3.46, and in the GR Supra MT.
The upgraded result is response and gearing appropriate for sports car performance and a manufacturer estimated zero-to-sixty time of 4.2 seconds, which is very fast, the new Supra is ready to win on the track.
The GR Supra has better traction and braking that have been optimized for operation with the new manual transmission, for better performance, power, and style.
New Manual Transmission
Toyota GAZOO Racing Engineers developed the new transmission in cooperation with Toyota Motor Europe and Germansion transmission supplier ZF.
The GR Supra’s manual transmission was built with components designed specifically to suit the power and torque characteristics of its 3.0-liter 382-hp straight-six engine.
- 255-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-4
- 382-hp turbo 3.0-liter inline-6
- 6-speed manual
- 8-speed automatic
The engineering team that created the new fast and sporty transmission combined an existing transmission housing and gear set, developed a new shift lever, and removed elements that were not required, such as the acoustic package reducing the weight of the Supra to 3,389 pounds.
The new transmission includes a newly engineered large-diameter clutch with a reinforced diaphragm spring, with a larger friction area and a stronger spring, this new component has the high-performance capability appropriate for use with the GR Supra’s high-torque engine.
New for 2023
The 2022 Supra version has been upgraded with a Premium 12-speaker JBL Audio system standard on all 3.0 Premium and A91-MT models.
A new refined handling across all GR Supra 2.0/3.0/A91 models with new steering and suspension tuning and new Hairpin function on 3.0 and A91 models.
Fun Race Track Bonus
The new Supra includes a fun bonus. When buying a new Supra you will get a complimentary 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, featuring a High-Performance Driving Event with expert instruction, where you can race at higher speed than normal highways.
Be careful not to get addicted to racing on the speed track with your fast Supra.
Toyota Gazoo Racing
The GR Supra is Toyota’s first global GAZOO Racing (GR) model. The introduction of models like the GR Corolla and the GR86 coupe have reinforced the special qualities that define the GR brand.
Toyota GR cars are born out of a passion for driving and draw directly on the world championship-winning expertise and experience of Toyota Gazoo Racing.
“When we revealed the GR Supra back in 2019, we tapped into a heritage nameplate for Toyota,” said Mike Tripp, vice president of Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communications.
“But we were regularly asked if there would be a manual version. We immediately took that feedback to heart and started developing it, and we’re happy that we can now bring customers the perfect complement for Supra’s high-torque, high output engine with a six-speed manual.”
Trims and Pricing for the 2023 Toyota GR Supra
The Toyota Supra is a sports coupe for two passengers, available as the base 2.0 trim level, then 3.0, and finally the top-of-the-line 3.0 Premium.
Pricing for the Supra goes from $44K to $56K, you pay for performance, power, and sporty style
The Supra is a premium race track sedan. The new Supra is a limited edition at a premium price due to the fact that Toyota is only producing a limited amount of Supra models.
The addition of BMW technology into the Supra brings a higher premium level and faster speeds.
- 2023 Supra GR 2.0
$44,640 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Supra GR 3.0
$53,600 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Supra GR 3.0 PREMIUM
$56,750 Starting MSRP
The Supra’s combination of sharp acceleration, agility, and sharp steering makes driving a pleasure.
The Supra is also pretty practical by sports car standards. This car has many safety features, a convenient infotainment system, and low fuel consumption.
Supra GR
GR stands for Gazoo Racing, a motorsport-influenced signature for special vehicles, an addition to the Supra moniker, which means that the Supra is very important to the image of the Japanese automaker.
Toyota broadens the Supra’s appeal by adding an entry-level trim.
The GR Supra has more power and a four-cylinder engine. Trims 3.0 and 3.0 Premium have 382 liters.
The new engine and eight-band automatic will gain speed and power. It is equipped with alloy 18-inch discs with reduced brakes instead of forged 19-inch ones, does not have an active differential, adaptive suspension, and electric seat adjustment, and instead of an audio system with 10 speakers, it has only four.
The Toyota GR Supra has become better at resisting roll and cornering more confidently due to the reconfigured chassis and software updates of a number of systems.
An 8.8-inch touchscreen is now standard on all versions, including the base one, which was previously offered a 6.5-inch screen.
A new Safety and Technology equipment package has been included in the Supra.
Supra Performance
The Supra offers an exhilarating blend of performance, style, and fun, with just the right amount of 21st-century heritage and technology. If you are looking for a true sports car the Supra can be a great choice.
Engine and Performance
The base 2.0 Supra uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, combined with an 8-Speed Automatic
All other models feature a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower, and 368 pound-feet of torque, and are now available with the 6-speed Manual Transmission.
Fuel Economy for the Supra is 32 MPG highway, 25 MPG city, and 28 MPG combined.
Its 2.0 turbo engine provides good acceleration but does not compare to the 6-cylinder. The engine noises are not very noticeable when driving at high speed, but it is evident when driving in the city.
Around the corners, the steering wheel stays firm and precise, similar to a BMW. Ride quality is firm but not tough. Because you sit so close to the rear axle, large vertical movements feel more pronounced.
The revised suspension is also better at retaining grip, but it doesn’t feel less lively, which means better cornering and a less immediate tendency to oversteer.
Ride quality is firm but not tough. Because it sits so close to the rear axle, the large vertical movements feel more pronounced. The Supra is really fast and lively, but it’s also comfortable enough to be your daily driver, as long as you don’t need to have more than two passengers including the driver, or as long as you don’t spend a lot of time on rough roads.
Sporty Interior Design
The interior of the Supra feels at a good level similar to other sports cars. The doors on the Supra are slightly shorter than average and quite light. The interior is very attractive but interior space is limited.
The seats provide excellent support, but you might find them a bit confined around your shoulders.
At 10.2 cubic feet, the Supra’s trunk has less space than the Porsche Cayman and BMW M2, however, I was able to fit a large suitcase and a smaller carry-on suitcase on top of each other.
The Supra’s combination of sharp acceleration, agility, and sharp steering makes driving a pleasure. The interior is stylish and well-done, and the seats provide ample cushioning and room for passengers of all sizes.
Technology-Based on the BMW iDrive System
Those familiar with the old BMW iDrive system will feel right at home with Supra infotainment.
But if you are a new user, you will need to familiarize yourself with the system and menu layout. All the other controls are pretty straightforward.
The navigation system is quite good at understanding natural language commands and locates specific points of interest without an address. It’s easy to use voice commands to configure your route.
There is a USB port, an optional wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Toyota might have taken an unconventional route to revive its iconic sports Supra car, but the result is very good. The Supra is definitely worth considering if you are looking for a true and fast sports car.
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