As previously indicated, the entry-level engine, like is bigger 3.0-litre sibling, will be sourced from BMW and displace 2.0-litres like in the Z4, with a choice of two outputs; 145kW/320Nm in the base SZ and 190kW/400Nm in the case of the SZ-R. No top speed figures were announced, although the former will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds and the latter 5.2 seconds. The RZ meanwhile will serve as the range flagship and get the blown six-pot that punches out 250kW/500Nm, allowing it to blitz the benchmark sprint in 4.3 seconds.
Although the 2.0-litre is again teamed to an eight-speed automatic like the 3.0-litre, Supra Project Chief Engineer, Tetsuya Tada, has again hinted that a six-speed manual ‘box will only be offered based on customer demand, this after denying on a number of occasions last year that the Supra will never come with a three-pedal layout.
“I’m very aware of the requests and needs for a manual transmission out there, but with the new sports automatic transmission, I am very satisfied with the results of the performance of this transmission system. It is completely different from any other automatic transmission that has been released,” Tada told Australia’s autoguide.com via an interpreter shortly after the Supra’s world premiere in Detroit.
“If there is a persistent, overwhelming demand still for a manual transmission, a sports car in itself [will] inherently improve and to continue to improve when those kinds of things will be considered. Obviously, if the mass market demand is there, it would be something that would have to be considered”.
According to Tada, prototype Supras fitted with manual transmissions have been undergoing testing, but added that timing will play a key role in the final decision.
