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New Toyota Supra Convertible Under Consideration

2020 Toyota Supra 17 photos
Photo: Toyota
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The GT 86 was never offered with a soft top despite the unveiling of a concept in 2013, but Toyota could turn things around with the Supra. When asked about this body style, chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said “of course we consider this,” but didn’t give more information in this regard.
CarSales.com.au reports that “there's no binding contract” between Toyota and BMW for the Z4 and Supra, which would make it possible for the Supra Convertible to happen. By the same token, the Z4 Coupe could come back into focus if the Munich-based automaker can make a case for such an option.

Can you imagine Toyota copying the rear buttresses from the Concept Z4, design elements that BMW deleted from the production model? Now that would be both cool and cruel, depending on perspective.

Even though Toyota’s engineers are considering the Supra Convertible, the higher-ups have the last word on this matter. Before getting the thumbs up for production, the Aichi-based automaker’s beancounters need to make this body style feasible from a financial point.

Last, but certainly not least, the feedback from focus groups is extremely important for Toyota before taking a decision. Even though we’re not holding our breath for the Supra Convertible, it would be nice to have a choice between fixed-head coupe and a soft-top roof.

What’s not so nice is how Tada-san is waxing lyrical about the inline-six engine, coming courtest of BMW. Let alone it’s different from the 2JZ in the previous Supra, the B58 is also used in cars as dime-a-dozen as the 3 Series. Whichever way yoi look at it, the engine isn’t special enough for a nameplate so loved by enthusiasts and with such a legacy under its belt.

On the upside, Toyota let it slip that a six-speed manual is in the works for RHD markets such as Japan. While we don’t know if the Supra will offer a manual in LHD markets, it’s fair to assume that a considerable percentage of the customers would take the three-pedal setup over the 8HP automatic transmission developed by ZF Friedrichshafen.
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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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