The Toyota Supra has established itself as one of the most desirable, macho
sports cars of the modern era. If you want a big‘n’brawny FR sports machine, the
Supra is difficult to ignore - just ask enthusiasts in America, Japan and
Australia.
The inspiration for the Supra can be traced back to the Toyota 2000GT of
1967. The 2000GT was an innovative sports coupe employing a backbone chassis
with aluminium panels and a firecracker DOHC straight six. (See
Toyota 2000GT for the full 2000GT story.) However, when the 2000GT was axed due
to poor sales, Toyota had a gaping hole in its sports car line-up – and the
Datsun 240Z was there to pick up the pieces. (See The First Z for the Zed story.)
During the early 1970s Toyota shifted its focus to producing reliable,
practical transportation at a competitive price. This was epitomised by the
‘sporty’ Toyota Celica coupe – a vehicle with go-fast looks but little to back
it up. The performance of the Celica was improved with subsequent models but
none could compete with larger go-fast cars of the time.
Finally, in 1978/1979, Toyota recognised demand for a larger bodied
sports car. Its solution was to introduce the MA46 series Celica Supra (known in
Japan as Celica XX).
Mark I Celica Supra
The MA46 Celica Supra is essentially a stretched 6 cylinder version of the
1978 Celica. In addition to its extra length, the ‘mature Celica’ is also
identified by its thick B pillars and 2000GT-esque grille. Four wheel disc
brakes and a 4 link coil sprung rear are also fitted as standard.
But more important is Toyota’s first mass production use of electronic fuel
injection.
Beneath the Celica Supra’s bonnet is a Denso-Bosch L-Jetronic injected 4M-E
2.6 litre straight six generating 82kW and substantially more torque than any of
its four cylinder cousins. Note that Japanese-market versions were available
with a less powerful 2.0 litre M-EU fuel injected straight six. Later, a T03
turbocharged variation (coded M-TEU) generated 108kW and fitment of an
intercooler bumped power up to 119kW.
In America (the Celica Supra’s biggest target market), the MA46 was
positively greeted but copped criticism for a lack of differentiation and
disappointing on-road performance; the extra grunt of the six cylinder engine
was largely offset by the extra mass.
In response, Toyota updated the Celica Supra in the following two years.
Subtle body and interior trim changes, standard alloy wheels, an optional sports
suspension and spoiler package and a bigger 2.8 litre engine were introduced. The
2.8 litre 5M-E engine gives only 4kW extra but with a better overall spread of
torque. Note that 5M-E engine’d Celica Supras are chassis coded MA47.
These changes improved the Celica Supra so that it could compete more closely
with the Datsun 280Z and Mazda RX-7. Still, the MA47 was seen as a ‘soft’
sportscar – its handling was dull and it felt happier at
cruise.
Mark II Celica Supra
In 1982 the all-new MA61 Celica Supra (the ‘Mark II’) was introduced.
The ‘80s-school-of-sharp-edges Celica was the platform for the new Supra
model. The Mark II was pitched more as a performance vehicle than its
predecessor – a standard independent rear suspension, optional LSD and a
super-wide wheel and tyre package show the direction of the new model. The
existing 5M-E six cylinder also received a DOHC head to widen the rev range and
add 22kW over the 1981 model (the DOHC engine is coded 5M-GE).
An optional wide wheel and tyre package – which we believe came standard in
some countries – comprises 7 inch wide alloys wearing 225/60 14 tyres. These
required add-on flared guards which give more visual aggression when combined
with the new pop-up headlight front-end. Leather trim, a rear sunshade spoiler,
LSD and automatic transmission are available on certain models.
The Celica Supra was now the obvious performance car of the Toyota range.
With high 16/low 17 second quarter mile performance, it could hold its own
against direct rivals and was another step away from the base 4 cylinder
Celica.
Updates to the MA61 Celica Supra came in 1983 and 1984.
For 1983, the 5M-GE generates a couple of extra kilowatts, auto trans models
receive electronic control and 5 speed manual versions score a slightly shorter
diff ratio. Note that 1983 is the first year of the Celica Supra in Australia.
In 1984, the Celica Supra receives a new front spoiler, wrap-around front
lights, relocated reversing lights, revised door handles and other small
cosmetic changes.
There’s no major news for 1985 or 1986 aside from 15 inch wheels, a new rear
sunshade spoiler and tail spoiler.
Mark III Supra
For 1986 the Toyota Supra was divorced from the Celica model. At last, the
Supra could be purpose-developed as a rear-wheel-drive performance vehicle –
meanwhile, the 1986 Celica had adopted a front-wheel-drive layout.
The MA70 ‘Mark III’ Supra hit the streets in 1986 and, finally, Toyota
comprehensively outgunned the contemporary Nissan 300ZX. Toyota had invested a
huge R&D effort in the MA70 – and it certainly paid dividends
The MA70 brought a much better-sorted chassis with class-leading
aerodynamics, double wishbone independent suspension at each corner and 16 inch
alloys with 225/50 tyres. An optional LSD and TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated
Suspension) was also available.
Inside, the modern Supra cabin features comprehensive instrumentation,
analogue climate control and tilt/slide steering wheel. Power windows, cruise
control, electric adjustable driver’s seat and digital dashboard were also
available. Removable targa roof panels were available to complete the
package.
Under the bonnet, there’s a big bore and stroke version of Toyota’s M-series
in-line six - the 7M-GE 3.0 litre. The new engine also benefits from its
two-stage variable intake manifold and 24 valve breathing in addition to having
DOHC. The new Supra engine delivers at least 80 percent of peak torque (245Nm)
all the way from 1200 to 6400 rpm. Top-end power is 140 - 142kW. Again, buyers
had the choice of a 5 speed manual or 4 speed electrically controlled auto
transmission.
And just when new car buyers thought the Supra was hot, it got even
hotter!
Shortly after the release of the naturally aspirated MA70, we were introduced
to the awesome MA71 Supra Turbo; a low 15 second bent-eight tromping Japanese
sports car!
Peer under the bonnet of this monster and you’ll find a low compression
version of the 3.0 litre DOHC wearing a CT26 turbocharger, air-to-air
intercooler and oil cooler. Dubbed 7M-GTE, this engine cranks out 173kW in its
early guise and as a result, the Supra Turbo became a potent bitumen racer.
The 1600-odd kilogram Supra Turbo also scores unique suspension settings,
optional ABS, standard LSD, a choice of 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto
transmission and integrated rear spoiler. (For a test of the MA71 Supra Turbo see
Toyota Supra Turbo.)
In 1989 the MA70/71 Supra was updated.
A new grille, front spoiler, taillights and rear spoiler are fitted and the
7M-GTE turbo engine is upgraded to 179kW, primarily due to extra boost pressure.
Suspension settings are tweaked and the power assisted steering is road speed
based rather than rpm based.
The Supra Turbo established a rear-wheel-drive performance benchmark during
the late ‘80s/early ‘90s and, even today, its performance must be respected.
Unfortunately, few people experienced the pleasure of owning a Supra T because
of its horrendous retail price – in Australia it was sold at almost
double the price of Mazda’s MX-6 4WS turbo coupe.
There are no major changes to the MA70/71 Supra until the 1993 arrival of the
latest and greatest Supra – the giant-killing JZA80 series.
Japanese Market 70 Series Supras
The Japanese domestic market was lucky enough to have two additional
performance engines available in the 70 series Supra – the 1G and 1JZ.
The 1G-GTE engine was available from 1986 and is widely regarded as a
‘fringe’ high performance engine. The 1G-GTE is a 2.0 litre straight six with a
DOHC, 24 valve head and twin simultaneous turbochargers. With a standard
intercooler, this engine generates only 136 to 154kW – not much more than the
3.0 litre 7M-GE non-turbo.
In contrast, the later generation 1JZ-GTE was fitted to the 70 series Supra
from 1990 – and it creates one awesome beast! The 1JZ-GTE 2.5 litre straight six
employs a beautifully engineered DOHC, 24 valve head design and an upsized
simultaneous twin-turbo arrangement. A large front-mount air-to-air intercooler
also aids in reaching 206kW – the Japanese industry power limit. Note that the
Twin-Turbo R version received Bilstein suspension and a Torsen LSD to complete
the package.
Note that 1G and 1JZ powered 70 series Supras are coded GA70 and JZA70
respectively.
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Stick around for Part Two of this series – we’ll look at the JZA80 Supra and
modifications.
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