Fans of the Supra have been asking for manual transmission for a while. Toyota heard their plea and finally revealed manual GR Supra which is labelled A91 – MT.
Supra is a twin to the BMW Z4, but fans didn’t want Toyota to follow BMW’s approach to manual transmission. In the case of Z4, the manual was only available in the low tier 4 cylinder engine version. Toyota came through in this regard too, it didn’t even borrow the transmission, it tailor made a new for the Supra designed for enthusiasts.
Starting from the 2023 model year, a 6-speed manual is available for the Supra’s 3.0-liter engine. An alternative 8-speed automatic will be available on the 2.0-liter engine version. Toyota said it modified an existing transmission housing, driveshaft and gear set while also removing parts that weren’t needed to save weight.
The company build a special software feature called Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) , which Toyota said prioritizes sporty performance. The feature kicks in during upshifts, it makes engine torque to be optimized at the moment of clutch engagement and release, while for downshifts the software calls for consistent performance. If you prefer to take full control yourself, you can turn on Sport driving mode and the iMT feature can be turned off.
Supra’s traction control system is making a return, both for handling improvements and with the aim of making hill starts easier since those are always tricky even for seasoned drivers.
Toyota is so proud of its manual transmission that it has made exterior design changes to make this version distinct. The manual-only A91-MT Edition will get distinct red badging and red brake calipers.
Supra two choices of engines will be either a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 which outputs 382hp and 367 lb-ft of torque. The auto’s full engine specs will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 which produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.
Other features shared between the manual and auto version will include a track driving mode that is tuned to make drifting easier, an Anti-Roll Program that works with the vehicle stability control to intervene before the car goes spinning off the track, there’s also an updated steering and suspension to aid in handling.
Aesthetically, the Supra will have a choice of either matte white or Gray paint colors. There is also a set of unique 19-inch forged wheels painted gray.
The interior includes exclusive Cognac leather upholstery, an Alcantara shift knob with the GR logo and a 12-speaker JBL stereo.
Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but Toyota noted that it will build only 500 special A91-MT Edition Supras with sales starting later in 2022.
