Has Toyota ever made a supercar?
Yes, Toyota has produced a supercar model, the Toyota Supra. The Supra was a high-performance sports car manufactured by Toyota from 1978 to 2002, and then revived in 2019. While not considered a true supercar by some enthusiasts, the Supra was a powerful and capable sports car that could compete with other high-end performance vehicles of its time.
The Toyota Supra: A Sports Car Icon
The Toyota Supra first debuted in 1978 as a more powerful and luxurious version of the Toyota Celica. Over the years, the Supra evolved into a standalone model with a distinct design and increasingly powerful engines. The fourth-generation Supra, produced from 1993 to 2002, is particularly well-known and highly sought-after by enthusiasts.
The Supra's reputation was largely built on its powerful inline-six engines, which included turbocharged variants that could produce over 300 horsepower. This, combined with its sleek, aerodynamic styling and capable handling, made the Supra a formidable sports car that could compete with the likes of the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Mazda RX-7.
The Supra's Revival and Supercar Potential
After a 17-year hiatus, Toyota revived the Supra name in 2019 with an all-new model. The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and features a turbocharged inline-six engine sourced from the German automaker.
While the new Supra is not considered a true supercar by some enthusiasts, it does possess supercar-like performance. The top-of-the-line Supra 3.0 model can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. This performance, combined with its sleek, modern design, has led some to argue that the Supra is a supercar in all but name.
Toyota's Supercar Aspirations
- Toyota has hinted at the possibility of developing a dedicated supercar model in the future, building on the success of the Supra.
- In 2018, Toyota unveiled the GR Super Sport concept, a hybrid hypercar prototype that showcased the company's advanced powertrain technology.
- While the GR Super Sport remains a concept for now, it demonstrates Toyota's ambition to compete in the high-performance, supercar market.
So, while Toyota may not have produced a true supercar in the past, the company's history with the Supra and its recent concept car developments suggest that a Toyota-branded supercar could be a possibility in the future.
Why are Toyota 2000GT so expensive?
The Toyota 2000GT is expensive due to its extreme rarity, with only 351 produced, its historical significance as Japan's first true supercar, its stunning design with a luxurious Yamaha piano wood interior, and its connection to iconic pop culture through the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and a racing collaboration with Carroll Shelby. The combination of being a limited-production, high-quality, and historically important vehicle makes it one of the most valuable Japanese cars ever made.
Factors contributing to its high price
- Rarity: Only 351 2000GTs were ever built, making them incredibly scarce. This extreme rarity drives up the value for collectors who want a piece of automotive history.
- Historical significance: The 2000GT is considered Japan's first supercar and was built to change the world's perception of Japanese car manufacturing. It proved that Japanese companies could produce high-performance, world-class sports cars.
- Exceptional craftsmanship: The car features a hand-built, aluminum body and a stunning interior. The dashboard is crafted from a solid piece of rosewood, which was also used for Yamaha's grand pianos, and the wooden steering wheel is a testament to the high-quality craftsmanship.
- Cultural impact: The 2000GT was prominently featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. A special convertible version was created for the movie because the actor Sean Connery was too tall to fit in the production model. This has significantly boosted its "cool factor" and collectible status.
- Racing heritage: A limited number of 2000GTs were developed for racing by Carroll Shelby. These models raced successfully in the 1968 SCCA season, further cementing the car's performance credentials and adding to its desirability among collectors.
Is Toyota coming to the V8 supercars?
Toyota has confirmed it will join the Repco Supercars Championship with a 5.2-litre V8 engine. The Japanese powerhouse will enter the championship in 2026 with two cars from Walkinshaw Andretti United and four from Brad Jones Racing.
Did Toyota ever make a supercar?
Today, the 2000GT is seen as the first seriously collectible Japanese car and by some as its first supercar, while others claim the later Honda NSX holds that title. Examples of the 2000GT have sold at auction for as much as US$1,200,000 in 2013.
What is the fastest Toyota supercar?
Race-Bred Performance
Its standard 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder produces 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, making the Supra the quickest Toyota-branded production vehicle to date.
