What is it?
Here’s one for you: what links the Renault Clio Williams, the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin and the Hyundai Tucson The Walking Dead Special Edition?
Struggling? Well, they’re each limited-run special editions conceived to celebrate a particular moment in their respective maker’s history, although so tenuously named as to require of their owners a chunk of research before they can begin bragging at the pub about their latest acquisition. And yes, I promise that Hyundai one is real.
The new Toyota GR Supra Jarama Racetrack Edition is a particularly tricky concept to explain, and perhaps one that will only hold appeal to avid readers of this (or a rival) motoring magazine or the people who write it. It’s named after the Madrid circuit best known as the nine-time host of the Spanish Grand Prix (before, notably, Toyota began competing in Formula 1) and far less well known as the venue for the first media drives of the sixth-generation Supra in 2018.
Back then, the Supra was still in its distinctive pre-production camouflage - a livery whose longevity and recognisability was such that Toyota would later use it as an official Christmas wrapping-paper design - although you will note that it hasn’t been replicated here.
For the Jarama Racetrack Edition, of which just 90 will be built and 30 shipped to the UK, Toyota has gone with an unmissable shade of Horizon Blue, which is teamed with matt-black 19in alloy wheels, black mirrors and red brake calipers in a bespoke paint scheme that – although it does feel special and attract its fair share of raised eyebrows – seems entirely unrelated to the one worn by the prototype.
Anyway, it’s a welcome opportunity to revisit the Supra two years on from its market launch and to consider its evolved position in a market segment that hasn’t so much changed as been turned on its head since. Its mortal enemy (and close relation), the BMW M2 Coupé, has been off sale for several months, the Porsche 718 Cayman is now available with a charismatic flat six once again, Lotus’s sports car trio has bitten the dust ahead of the Emira’s launch and, closer to home, Toyota is about to launch the markedly distinct but still threatening GR 86.
In fact, our own Matt Prior, who attended the Supra prototype drive event at Jarama, said that one of his prevailing memories of the day was a stint in a then-current GT86, which only served to highlight the superiority of that car’s chassis set-up. Hmm.
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Well said Supra Fan! I also have a 3.0 Pro on order and can't wait for delivery. The negative comments are like a broken record from people who more than likely haven't even driven the car.
You'd think BMW was a basement brand, using the brand name as a slur. That the ZF 8speed transmission is somehow an inferior product but has been well proven in many applications.
I thought long and hard at other options as I had always promised myself a Cayman, but a friend told me how Porsche servicing costs make BMW seem cheap. Then there's the flat 4 turbo - which sounds as refined as a chainsaw. When the 4.0 GTS comes onto the used car market in a couple of years time the 4 cylinder cars will plummet (as will the 981's, which are crazy money for 6 year old cars)
The Alpine? After having an AX GT from new many years ago I was stung by their electrical gremlins - the car was great, lovely fluid handling - it floated over badly surfaced roads but after 3 years or so the ghosts in the machine started to play up. I wouldn't buy French cars again - well, not Citroen or Renault anyway due to other friends experiences with Renault that mirrored my own.
The Mclaren F1 had a bmw engine and you cant get much better than that.
The straight 6 bmw engine is a perfect engine and having driven a Supra it drives exceptionally well. Its that good im buying one.
Theres un 2 Litre Supra now. 2 seater though, Might be un retirement car en another 15 Years, after my Hunting trip a La Zimbabwe. Yes, Im thinKing.