Toyota GR Supra review - design
Traditional sports car proportions paired with unique design elements
Whatever Toyota has or hasn’t changed under the skin, the Supra’s skin itself is every bit a Toyota design, and an original one at that. There’s little here to visually connect the Supra to Toyota’s other sports car, the GT86, and beyond a slightly bulbous nose that Toyota has applied recently to other models in the range, the design is entirely fresh.
Whether it’s successful or not depends on your view of all the scoops and slats – many of which are non-functional, at least on the road car – and the car’s exaggerated curves. View the car from a low angle and it’s quite appealing, with a taut shape and some interesting details, such as the ducktail spoiler at the back. From higher angles there can appear to be a little too much metal, though you’ll get a good view of the Zagato-like double-bubble effect to the roof.
It has proper front-engined, rear-drive proportions anyway, and while it might share its platform with the current BMW Z4, it’s the first-generation Z4 Coupe that comes to mind in the long bonnet and short cabin. It looks squat and wide, too, which is rarely a bad thing for sports coupes.
Perhaps the least appealing aspect is the design of the wheels. Their spindly, polished spokes and spray-on tyres look too ornate. Hopefully, given the Supra’s history as a darling of the tuner scene (and the fact Toyota has engineered parts of the car to be easily modified), few will remain on their factory wheels.
