The Toyota dealer near Anaheim believes without a doubt that the Supra lives up to its name. If you don’t already know, the term ‘Supra’ translates to ‘go beyond’ or ‘surpass.’ Throughout the years, every Toyota Supra generation has fulfilled everyone’s expectations and to its badge. When the Supra first arrived in the U.S. in 1979, it made a name as the alluring sports car. Since then, the Supra has been celebrated as an unshakeable sports car that keeps gaining the admiration of sports car enthusiasts’ hearts.
Beyond question, the Supra is a legendary car that has a cult following all over the world. Although the Toyota Supra has several past big wins, the current fifth-generation Supra carries on the iconic badge’s sovereignty with even more impressive elegance. However, as you enjoy the Supra in its present structure, here are some things that Toyota of Orange, the Toyota dealer serving Anaheim, believes are worth looking back on.
1. The Supra Was Once A Celica
The Celica was the first vehicle to sport the Supra badge. This was the first-generation Supra, and it was known as the Celica Supra. It was the premium model in the Celica lineup. It had a more powerful, more luxurious, longer wheelbase and an inline-six-cylinder engine. The engine of the Celica Supra was more significant, so to contain this engine, Toyota elongated the car by about 5-inches compared to the standard Celica model.
Another interesting fact the Toyota dealer near Anaheim wants to share with you is that the Celica Supra’s 110 hp inline-six was Toyota’s first production engine equipped with electronic fuel injection. Transmission had a standard five-speed manual and an optional four-speed automatic. This Supra model showcased more power and standard features such as four-wheel disc brakes, tilt steering, air conditioning, optional sunroof, leather interior, and AM/FM stereo.
2. The First Vehicle With A Navigation Computer
Once the Celica Supra was in its second generation, Toyota decided it was high time it introduced performance and luxury models for the North American market. When it launched, the second-generation Supra also featured a forward-looking item of technology. When it introduced the world’s first navigation computer in the 1981 Celica Supra, Toyota had the upper hand over its rivals. Acquired in July 1981, the navigation system depending on a currently obsolete dead reckoning technology to hold the car’s location in place.
3. The Supra MKIV Could Last Forever
The fourth-generation Supra, known as the MKIV to many Supra enthusiasts, was custom-built as a no-nonsense performer. Toyota equipped the Supra with a zesty 220 hp 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder and optional 320 hp turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, giving it the makings of one of the swiftest Japanese cars ever.
Nowadays, these 2JZ-GTE powerplants are famous for their endurance and inexpensive repair cost. The solid engine, matched with the smart and elegant design, is the main reason the Supra MKIV is a sought-after valued Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) classic that we could see around for a very long time.
4. All Supra Generations Possess An Inline-Six
The Toyota dealer near Anaheim mention that the Supra has accomplished a lot in the last 40 years, but that’s all thanks to Toyota’s commitment to the six-cylinder engine. The Celica Supra first appeared with a 110 hp 2.6-liter inline six-cylinder, which Toyota later improved to a 116 hp 2.8-liter powertrain in 1981 and 145 hp 2.8-liter between 1982 and 1986.
The fourth-generation Supra prospered with its 220 hp 3.0-liter inline-six and optional 320 hp turbo. When the Supra grew into its own within the third generation, it came to the scene with a new naturally aspirated 200 hp 3.0-liter inline-six and a 230 hp 3.0-liter turbo option. Nevertheless, Toyota changed things for the fifth-generation model, going for a standard 255 hp 2.0-liter inline-four and a 382 hp 3.0-liter inline-six.
5. The Supra Headlined In Movies And Video Games
Although there is a long list of thrilling vehicles in the films, the most notable and desired is Paul Walker’s orange Gladiator Supra. The Supra was a well-known car, but it became a household name when it starred in the Fast and the Furious franchise. Sure, the film has a lot of superstars in it, but this high-grossing film franchise grabs everyone’s attention for its fast cars. In Fast 7, the filmmakers gave a tribute and final goodbye to Paul Walker when they featured his personal white Supra at the movie’s end.
6. The Supra Enjoys In Motorsports Successes
Toyota has left a big impression in various motorsports courses, and the Supra has been in the center of all of it. In 1989, Peter Fitzgerald drove a Toyota Supra Turbo to win the Australian Production Car Championship. Vinny Ten, one of the first known Pro Mod drivers in import drag racing, has held numerous records throughout the U.S. between 1997 and 2000 inside a Supra. Other Supra successes include first place in 2007 Tokachi 24-hour, four Super GT drivers’ titles, and two Super GT teams’ titles.
7. The Supra MKIV Gets Great Resale Value
The Supra’s nameplate went through the roof and achieved cult status after the Fast and Furious promotion. However, their fantastic savviness to hold long-term value has made them one of the hottest ventures in classic Japanese car collecting of this time.
8. The 1994 Supra Is Against The Law
The 1994 Supra is the model that made this car the legend that it is today. Besides that, the model provoked the Supra tuning fad after its massive performance in Hollywood films. Sadly, most Supra fans in the U.S. will probably never experience the pleasure of driving this dreamy 1994 model.
9. The Supra Vanished And Reappeared Again
The 1994 Toyota Supra’s incredible performance, wonderful cabin, and advanced technology laid the groundwork for the vehicle to remain up-to-date in some markets. Nevertheless, by 1998 sales were so incalculable that Toyota had to discontinue the Supra in North American markets. By 2002, the Supra was utterly gone as Toyota faced challenges to align the model to Japan’s amended Fuel-efficiency guidelines.