Toyota Supra TRD Concept Debuts On Japanese Parts Website
Considering the Toyota Supra was revealed to the world just a few weeks ago, it feels slightly premature for the manufacturer to start releasing special editions of the model. However, we’ve heard it’s important to strike while the iron is hot in business and the Supra is certainly operating well above room temperature. It would be silly to think Toyota would cool its heels after two years of teasing the Supra just because it finally went on sale.
Now that you can buy the coupe, Toyota wants everyone to know that they’ll also be able to purchase snazzy upgrades for it through the performance catalog and released the GR Supra Performance Line Concept TRD over the weekend as a reminder. Like the BMW M Performance Parts Concept that appeared over the summer, the Supra exists to show the world what’s possible when the full force of the TRD catalog is harnessed.
Unfortunately, engine upgrades aren’t currently a part of that equation. Like the M Performance car, the TRD Supra receives no improvements to its powertrain. Instead, Toyota showcased a festival of spoilers and fins aimed at optimizing the coupe’s aerodynamics.
The TRD version of the fifth-generation Supra gets a frontal, three-piece spoiler with massive fins for improved downforce and high-speed stability. Meanwhile, aggressive-looking side skirts and a “door garnish” help to give the vehicle’s profile a more hardcore image but don’t appear to offer much in terms of performance.
Toyota claimed that the inclusions helped to mitigate turbulent wind and lower the vehicle’s center of gravity somewhat, but we’re willing to wager most people won’t notice from behind the wheel. The air vent the door garnish covers is already non-functional and any weight the skirt adds probably won’t be countered by the slightly lower center of gravity it creates. Fortunately, TRD’s choice of wheels, a set of 19-inch forged aluminum jobs in jet black, were a little more straightforward.
Out back, Toyota implemented a pair of fins integrated into the rear diffuser that it called “spats” and a new trunk-lid spoiler. While we’re not positive why the manufacturer decided to refer to the air blades as something that typically denotes a partial wheel covering, our guess is that it’s because the GR Supra Performance Line Concept TRD debuted on the company’s Japanese parts website. Something was probably lost in translation.
This leaves us wondering about availability. Right now, Toyota is treating these carbon-fiber parts as TRD’s initial foray into the Supra and only has them posted on its JDM website. At the bottom of the page there is even a big “To Be Continued” written in English, indicating that the company will likely add to the catalog in the months to come. While it’s not up to us, we’d like to see some of those fake vents converted into something functional (seriously, the hood and bumper vents are just filled with rubber and plastic). It also might be nice to see some suspension and brake options for track-day enthusiasts.
[Images: Toyota]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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GM does have the CTS6 and Corvette. However, Toyota is now probably acknowledged as the world's top carmakers. In reliability GM is pretty much in the mid-pack. However, in recent issues of consumer reports GM is slipping below the industry average. I was shocked to find the Equinox at the bottom of the SUV reliability rankings. The Equinox is just not in the same league as the Rogue and Rav4. What is interesting is that the soon to be cancelled Impala and Lacrosse were ranked near the top of their class.
Is there a link to the Japanese parts site that is mentioned? The 2020 Supra is *STILL* not on the Japanese Toyota main page or Gazoo Racing pages. -_- A $30,000 "British Racing Green" GT86 has been added though. *rolls eyes* Where's my JDM Supra configurator, dammit! >_