Toyota has indicated its commitment to bring back one if its most famous sports cars. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the compact two-door GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration and makes use of advanced lightweight materials in its construction.
Created by Toyota Gazoo Racing, the design features a large ‘90’ race number on its doors – a historical reference to Supra’s codename. Its development is true to the belief of Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of the car company, that participation in motorsport provides the challenges of performance and durability that can directly help develop better cars.
The racing concept has a dramatic bodywork design that includes a large rear wing. It makes extensive use of strong but lightweight composite material for elements such as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings and the rear wing. The hood is crafted from the same material and features louvered air inlets.
The concept’s chassis features lowered front and rear suspension using original equipment components. BBS racing wheels with center-nut attachment are fitted with Michelin racing tires. The braking system uses Brembo Racing calipers and discs and there is a racing exhaust.
Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.
With success at the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours race, the experience has provided technical knowledge that can be transferred from the race track to development of not just new generations of Toyota’s sports-focused GR models, but also to its wider range of vehicles.
