Since its 1980s release, the Supra has been Toyota's answer to the highly successful Nissan Z-series. Based on the same large rear-wheel-drive sportscar theme, the most recent Supra - the JZA80 - has been offered in Japan with either 3-litre naturally aspirated or sequentially twin-turbocharged six purring under the bonnet. Thanks to second-hand vehicle importers, we can now purchase these machines here in Australia.
However - largely due to the awesome power of the twin-turbo Supra RZ, RZ-S and GZ - you'll find that the naturally aspirated SZ and SZ-R 'little brother' is an often overlooked and misunderstood vehicle. Forget any notions that this is merely a slowpoke look-at-me cruise mobile - the na Supra is a qualified sportscar. And it's not as gutless as everyone seems to think - around 165kW (at 6000 rpm) and 284Nm (at 4800 rpm) is quite impressive from a non-boosted 3-litre.
And that's no surprise, because it's got the same basic engine design as the fabulous twin-turbo bruisers.
Using the 2JZ 3.0-litre DOHC 24-valve platform, the atmo Supra runs a fairly mild 10.0:1 compression ratio and a distinctive Y-pipe leading into the intake manifold. Note that a VVT-I version of the atmo Supra was also released in 1997 - these are much rarer here in Australia, however. At idle, the 2JZ is silky smooth, with just the clickety-click of the injectors to indicate that the internals are spinning. The engine is also very tractable, offers strong throttle response and cranks out admirable mid-range torque. In fact - being fitted with an aftermarket exhaust - we'd suggest that our 5-speed test car could easily accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. We've seen other figures claiming times (for the 5-speed) of around 7 seconds - but this would require a brutal launch.
Speaking of transmissions, the atmo Supra comes with the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed auto. Of course, while the manual is the quicker vehicle, the automatic wouldn't be a bad thing either - large cars and automatic transmissions often make for a relaxing everyday conveyance. Out back, the basic SZ Supra uses a single spinner dif, while the SZ-R model comes equipped with a Torsen LSD (the type fitted to the twin-turbos). Braking the 1440-odd kilogram Supra are reasonably powerful four-wheel discs - ventilated at the front - while SZ-R gets standard ABS. The rotors hide behind 16-inch alloys wearing 225/50 and 245/45 rubbers (as standard).
Up under the wheel arches you'll find a high-performance oriented double wishbone suspension arrangement with swaybars front and rear. Being a milder version of the twin-turbo, though, the atmo Supra delivers a notably more comfortable ride. It isn't quite luxury car soft, but it's compliant and progressive at all times. It's a suspension tune that can easily deal with B-grade roads. Steering, too, is a good compromise for a vehicle of this sort - it's sportingly direct, but not enough to induce 'tacking' when you want to relax sightly behind the wheel.
Now let's be honest - for many of us, much of the Supra TT's appeal is derived from its bulging muscle lines: it's certainly one hell of a car to look at. Well, the atmo version shares much of the same sheet metal - the only variations are the front spoiler (the auto front spoiler is fitted to the SZ-R), the rear wing (which was a delete option) and the alloy rims. Oh, and a sensational Aerotop (which has a removable roof section) is also available to buyers of the atmo Supra.
Inside, the Supra's dash is sculpted so that all controls are aimed toward the driver. Amongst those controls you'll find standard analog climate control (which is nice and easy to use), a radio/cassette (with an optional CD player) and power mirror switches. Other items to be found throughout the cabin include power windows, an electric driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Trim fabric is generally high quality, though the atmo car's front seat coverings do look a bit Camry-ish, and - for some reason - the rear seats (up until 1998) are only covered in vinyl. Go work that out...
Thanks to the Supra's low seating position and the relatively high trans tunnel, the gear knob (or the auto's shift lever) falls to hand almost straight out from your side. It's very sporting. On the other hand, the high waistline and low roof give a very enclosed feeling and impairs visibility. Close-quarter reversing - especially where the rear wing is fitted - also reveals very poor rearward visibility. Accommodation in the Supra is listed as 2 + 2 - but, in reality, the rear seat is next to useless. Headroom, knee room and feet room is not suited for any normal sized adults. The rear cargo area is of limited use as well; it's extremely shallow.
In short, the atmo Supra is not a vehicle that's suited to carrying any more than two people or even a small amount of luggage. It's an affordable sportscar with a decent amount of go - and that's it.
Buyers' Guide
If you're looking at buying a large Japanese-import coupe you've sure got a lot of cars to choose from. There's Nissan Skylines and 300ZXs, Mitsubishi GTOs, Mazda Cosmos, Toyota Soarers and - of course - Supras. With such a huge selection of vehicles that appeal to similar-ish markets, you can often negotiate yourself a real bargain - especially with the lower-performance versions that 'nobody would want'.
Our 1996 SZ-R test vehicle was supplied by Melbourne's Sports and Luxury Cars and - with only 90,000 kilometres behind it - was stickered at only $29,990. If you're prepared to sacrifice the 3 year warranty, however, we have seen naturally aspirated Supras being sold privately for as little as mid-20s. Released in 1993 (and with production continuing today) most of these vehicles are still in exceptional condition - certainly, Toyota's high build quality would have a lot to do with that.
You might find replacement parts for imported JZA80 Supras a little tough to come by - especially body parts. However, many of the regular service-style engine components should be interchangeable with the locally delivered Lexus GS300 and IS300. Sports and Luxury Cars can supply a full parts back-up service. The atmo Supra is also one of those cars that won't give you a heart attack when it comes time to getting insurance quotes - there's no 'turbo' in its name.
If you want to go really fast in a Supra you should be looking toward the twin-turbo models. However, if you want to extract a bit more power and some sexy acoustics out of an atmo Supra, an aftermarket exhaust and free-flowing intake will achieve it. With - say - a 2½-inch mandrel system and a fat cold air induction pipe, we'd suggest you'd enjoy a 10-15 percent power increase.
But - again - if you want to be running with the 'big guns' you'd better save up for the sequentially twin-turbocharged Supra RZ...
Contact:
Sports and Luxury Cars
+61 3 9753 5799
www.sportsluxurycars.com.au
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