Toyota has released the specs for the new 2020 A90 Supra, and the lowest-trim version somehow has less power than a Toyota 86.
Hen the Toyota 86 came out (also known as the Scion FRS or Subaru BRZ), it was then seen as a return to the affordable sports cars seen throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s from Toyota. Although criticized for a perceived lack of power from it’s naturally aspirated 2.0-L flat-four, it was widely praised for being a fun little car that anyone could buy.
Now with the A90 Supra released, Toyota seems to be moving up a segment. Here in North America, we’ll see a Supra powered by a big 3.0-L turbocharged 6-cylinder with 335 horsepower, but elsewhere the Supra will come with a base-trim featuring a 2.0-L turbocharged 4-cylinder with somewhat less power.
Okay, a lot less power. According to Toyota’s dedicated Supra website, the lowest trim will have just 197 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Compare that to the Toyota 86’s 204 hp from a naturally-aspirated 2.0-L flat-four, and we’re left wondering why the vastly different power figures.
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It should be noted that the Supra is a lot torquier than the 86, with 246 lb-ft compared the 86’s 156 lb-ft, which means the Supra will still push you back into your seats with the same vigor as the 86. But then, the Supra also weighs a lot more than the 86--3,108 lbs compared to 2,862 lbs.
There’s also mention here for an up-rated 2.0-L turbo 4-banger on the Supra that produces 258 hp and 295 lb-ft. There was no mention of it in Toyota’s press release for Detroit, but we might eventually see that version hit Stateside some day.
The real question is: what will Toyota do with the 86 now that the Supra has arrived? In North America, we could see them keep the 86 as an entry-level sports car while the Supra becomes a mid-tier luxury performance car at the $50,000 price point. That might not be the case in Japan where a lower-trim Supra might hover around the same price as a loaded 86.
(Source: Jalopnik)