Toyota’s listened to its customers and confirmed a manual option is coming for its two-seater sports car
It’s official. Toyota has confirmed that it will offer a six-speed manual transmission in the GR Supra, which until now has been available exclusively with a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque converter automatic.
No further details have been released, so we cannot confirm whether the manual will be specific to one or both of the two engine options available, but we do know that a manual option was developed alongside the automatic during the Supra’s initial development, so it’s likely that there’s been few compromises..
BMW engines are paired with manual transmissions in other applications, with the B48 2-litre four-cylinder, six-speed manual combination found in the Morgan Plus Four, and the in-line six manual combo (admittedly in M-specific S58 form) available in overseas versions of BMW’s non-Competition M3 and M4.
Whether other elements of the chassis are changed to suit – such as the electronically-controlled limited slip differential being replaced by a mechanical item – also remains to be seen, but we can make an educated guess that it will drop a little bit of weight in the transition. To signify the new transmission, Toyota has revealed that its exterior badging will be coloured red.
This confirms rumours that have been swirling about where Gazoo Racing plan on taking the GR Supra as it matures in the marketplace. In addition to the manual option, it’s also been suggested that a more potent GRMN variant is also on the horizon, possibly incorporating a more powerful version of BMW’s in-line six along further chassis upgrades. For now, though, we can be happy that Toyota’s not given up on its dramatic little sports car.
Keyword: Toyota GR Supra with a six-speed manual confirmed