2021 Toyota Supra 4-cylinder Delayed by Coronavirus Pandemic

Toyota outlined changes to the 2021 Supra in February, and while the car will go on sale as planned in June 2020 availability will be limited for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. During a press conference on May 4, 2020, Toyota explained to journalists its approach to the Supra and how COVID-19 is affecting plans for the sports car.

Changes to the 2021 Toyota Supra

Toyota is expanding the Supra lineup for 2021. In addition to the GR Supra 3.0, a new GR Supra 2.0 version arrives with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a lower base price. The previous Launch Edition is gone, but a new A91 Edition arrives for Supra buyers seeking something special.

The new GR Supra 2.0 wrings 255 horsepower from a BMW-sourced, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. (The Supra and BMW Z4 have much in common, including a German assembly plant.) Peak horsepower is available from 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm, and this engine’s peak 295 lb.-ft. of torque spreads evenly between 1,550 rpm and 4,400 rpm. Paired only with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, this engine should get the GR Supra 2.0 to 60 mph in five seconds flat, according to Toyota.

Lighter by about 200 pounds, the new GR Supra 2.0 boasts a 50:50 weight distribution. It does without some of the standard features on the GR Supra 3.0, such as power adjustable seats, 10 stereo speakers (it has four), an active differential, an adaptive damping suspension, and larger brakes. It also features 18-inch cast aluminum rather than 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.

More power is the story for the 2021 GR Supra 3.0. It still uses a BMW turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, but for the new model year it’s churning out 382 hp from 5,800 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 368 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,800 rpm and 5,000 rpm. Previously, horsepower measured 335 and torque measured 365, both available lower in the engine’s rev range.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard in the GR Supra 3.0, and Toyota says it will accelerate to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Toyota also reworked the 2021 GR Supra 3.0’s chassis, suspension, steering, and other mechanical components to improve the car’s stability in corners and reduce body roll in turns.

One other minor change is the discontinuation of the standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system display. All 2021 Supras will have a larger 8.8-inch display instead.

What is the 2021 Toyota Supra A91 Edition?

Based on the Toyota GR Supra 3.0, the new A91 Edition is a cosmetic upgrade limited to 1,000 units. It comes only with Noctural or Refraction paint, and has matte black wheels, carbon-fiber mirror caps, a carbon-fiber rear lip spoiler, and special body graphics. The interior is decked out in black Alcantara with blue accents.

When Does the 2021 Toyota Supra Go on Sale?

Toyota’s halo vehicle sold 2,900 units in calendar year 2019, the modern Supra’s first year on the market. The automaker underscores that this car is not a volume sales play, but at the same time the company needs to nurture consistent interest in the Supra by keeping it fresh. That’s one reason for the lineup’s expansion for 2021, not to mention the new A91 Edition and a track-only GR Supra GT4 complete with reworked mechanicals, a roll cage, lightweight bodywork and components, racing seats with a 6-point harness, and more.

Production of the 2021 Supra began at Magna-Steyr in Germany before the coronavirus pandemic brought the factory to a halt. By that time, 400 Supra 3.0 models had been assembled and are in transit to dealerships now. They will go on sale in June, as originally planned. The remainder of the 2021 Supras, including the new 2.0 4-cylinder variant, are now delayed until fall.

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