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Chief Engineer Doesn’t Rule Out Toyota GR Supra With Targa Top

Time and again, there were rumors the 86 wouldn’t be succeeded by an all-new model. But both Subaru and Toyota denied the hearsay, which is great news for the enthusiasts who live and breathe sports cars. A convertible was also supposed to happen, but for whatever reason imaginable, the higher-ups pulled the plug on that model.
2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray 8 photos
Photo: Toyota
2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray2020 Toyota GR Supra Matte Storm Gray
Best Car magazine from Japan also suggests the GR Supra Targa, citing chief engineer Tetsuya Tada in this regard. As opposed to the 86, the GR Supra was developed from the BMW Z4 soft-top roadster. The engineers wouldn’t have a hard time chopping the fixed-head roof, but there’s no confirmation whatsoever from Toyota in regards to this development.

A targa-style panel for the roof would make a lot of sense, more so if you remember that the A70 and A80 were offered with the Aero Top. In older interviews, Tada-san said that the GRMN version (short for Gazoo Racing Meister of Nurburgring) is at the top of his priorities list while a targa would be technically possible as long as there’s customer demand for such an option.

Revived for the 2020 model year, the GR Supra plays second fiddle to the Z4 as far as performance is concerned. The M40i in U.S. specification has more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than the Japanese counterpart, and adding insult to injury, the entry-level Z4 with the 2.0-liter turbo can be had with a manual. Fret not, however, because a manual is coming to the GR Supra.

More BMW than Toyota, the A90 also happens to be quite an expensive machine for the segment. For sheer excitement in the twisties, even the 86 is more than adequate. Those in the market for an open-top sports car can always go for the Mazda MX-5, which is available in two body styles. Retail prices kick off at $49,990 for the 3.0 trim level, $53,990 for the 3.0 Premium, and $55,250 for the Launch Edition (excluding destination).

If Toyota were to make it, would you consider the GR Supra Targa over the Z4 or other models in the segment?
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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