What would the legacy of the Toyota Supra be without tuning? Considerably reduced, surely. Sometimes it can feel like the A80 model of the 1990s was the only Supra ever, such is the comparative lack of love for the earlier cars. Don’t forget, either, that the standard A80 wasn’t even a huge hit in the UK; critically acclaimed, yes, but not all that popular - mostly because buyers didn’t want their sports GT to have a Toyota badge on it.
Didn’t matter in the end, though, because the aftermarket soon learned about the huge potential of the 2JZ straight six - and a legend was born soon after. There would be stories in magazines (remember those?) and features on VHS (ditto) about wild looking Supras with frankly unbelievable power outputs. In the days of M3s making 300hp or so, there would be A80s with comfortably more than double. Then, of course, Fast and Furious happened, then the Need for Speed: Underground games, showing a whole new generation what the Toyota could be. And now we live in a world where the best old Supras - ironically enough, the unmodified cars - are worth more than a new one.
The era of the A90 is a very different one to that of the old A80, but there are some key similarities shared between them. There are somehow still Fast & Furious movies being made, for one, plus the sneaking suspicion that UK buyers will always seek out a Porsche badge ahead of any other when spending £50k on a two-door. However, it should also be noted that the Supra is pretty damn good out of the box, and features another eminently tuneable straight six in the form of BMW’s B58. You can probably see where this is going…
Alright, this Supra isn’t a 10-second car, and doesn’t have a giant turbo to make 1,000hp. But it has been treated to Litchfield’s Stage 2 upgrade, which will mean somewhere around 475hp from the 3.0-litre engine - a useful gain over the standard 340hp, making it more powerful than something like the BMW M2. A new downpipe was part of the overhaul, so there ought to be a sweeter straight six sound as well.
While the advert doesn’t mention any additional modifications, the front discs here look improved over standard, and maybe it sits a tad lower as well. Even if those parts are still stock, it’s an opportunity for the next owner to put their own stamp on this Supra. It seems unlikely, after all, that anyone will want to go back to less power after trying the best part of 500hp. There’s more to be encouraged by, too, with services every 5,000 miles (it currently sits on 34k after three years of driving), new Michelin tyres at the back, plus PPF applied up front to keep the Supra looking as sharp as it currently does. It’s a funny car, the A90, as pictures don’t really do the shape justice - it’s properly dramatic in real life.
Finally, the price - this is the really good bit. We all know that modifying never adds the value spent onto the car, and if the work has been done by a reputable shop - needless to say. Litchfield is definitely one of those - then there’s a lot to be said for buying a car that’s already been tweaked. The most affordable Supra on PH currently is £36k, a privately sold one with a few more miles than this. This one is £38,995, and just the Litchfield parts would be £2,200 at current prices. It’s easy to see why someone might be persuaded. And now the tuning has started, why stop? See you at 1,000hp.
SPECIFICATION | TOYOTA GR SUPRA
Engine: 2,998cc, straight-six turbo
Gearbox: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@5,000-6,500rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 369@1,600-4,500rpm (standard)
0-62mph 4.3 secs (standard)
Top speed: 155mph
MPG: 34.5
CO2: 170g/km
Year registered: 2020
Recorded mileage: 34,000
Price new: £52,695
Yours for: £38,995
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