Down Memory lane: The first four generations of Supra

Fifth generation A90

The Toyota Supra nameplate has been around since 1978, and had a four-generation production run from 1978 to 2002. It reemerged this year with a 5th generation model manufactured in Magna Steyr’s Austrian plant.

Here’s a look at its four previous generation models.

First generation A40 and A50 (1978 – 1981)

First generation A40 and A50 (1978 – 1981)

The first generation Supra started life based primarily a high performance Toyota Celica liftback variant but with a longer wheelbase and uses an inline 6-cylinder engine instead of a 4-cylinder engine. It uses a 12-valve SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine rated between 110hp to 123hp, and in later models introduced a more powerful 173 hp motor in the 2800GT trim. It was first exported in 1979 but in Japan, it is badged as the Celica XX. It comes with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission and features 4-wheel disc brakes, four-link rear suspension, and MacPherson struts in front. Premium trims include cruise control, optional sunroof, and a state-of-the-art AM/FM/MPX 4-speaker stereo. Later models with come with leather seating and automatic climate control. It is interesting to note that the Toyota sought the engineering expertise of Lotus Cars to enhance its performance and it also introduced the world’s first navigation computer.

Second generation A60 (1981- 1985)

Second generation A60 (1981- 1985)

The completely redesigned second generation Celica Supra designated the A60 model still used the Celica platform but with certain key differences. The Supra now comes with a pair of retractable pop-up headlights and now has the 5M DOHC 6-cylinder engines. Its distinctive and sleek fastback profile made the Supra increasingly more popular both on the domestic and US market. In the growing US market, the Celica Supra had a luxury and performance trim, while in Japan, it was still known as the Celica XX.

The 2nd generation Celica Supra had MacPherson struts in the front suspension while it had semi-trailing arm suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar on the rear suspension. Its four-wheel independent suspension was specially tuned and designed by Lotus Cars and uses variable assisted power rack-and-pinion steering.

Third generation A70 (1986 – 1993)

Third generation A70 (1986 – 1993)

It was on the 3rd generation that the Supra became a fully separated model from the Celica line up. Toyota stopped attaching Celica and just called it Supra. This was also the last Supra to be produced in Toyota’s Tahara plant. While the Supra retained the rear wheel drive layout, the subsequent Celica models switched to front wheel drive layouts. This 3rd generation Supra also used Toyota’s flagship engine, the 7M-GE with 24 valves and dual overhead cams. Its later models would use a turbocharged 7m-GTE engine and is Toyota’s first distributor-less engine. With the gaining popularity of Supra’s, production numbers reached over 240,000 units.

Fourth generation A80 (1993 – 2002)

Fourth generation A80 (1993 – 2002)

This fourth generation Supra was the only model ever produced at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City. As early as 1989, plans were already underway to design and develop the A80 and it uses the subframe, suspension and drivetrain from the Lexus SC300 and SC400, as well as the domestic Z30 Soarer coupe. The round front was said to have taken styling queues from Toyota’s legendary 2000GT. This generation represented Toyota’s keen interest in coming out with a high-performance car.

It had two new engines, the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine rated at 220 hp, and a twin-turbocharged 2JZ-GTE engine rated at 276 hp.
Export model turbocharged engines were even rated much higher at 326 hp, making them accelerate from 0-60kph in 4.6 seconds, still considered fast in today’s standards. By 1998, sales of the fourth generation ended in the US market and by 2002, Toyota officially stopped production of the Supra in Japan.

The Supra appeared in many videos and movies, including in various Fast and Furious movies, Initial D, Gran Turismo, Need for Speed and Wangan Midnight.