2023 Toyota Supra 3.0 Manual First Drive Review: Sixth-Speed Sense

A handbook transmission is not some magic method that immediately makes a automobile extra enjoyable to drive. There are many unhealthy manuals on the market and a few nice automatics; drive any Hyundai N product and you will see what I imply. For an fanatic automobile just like the Toyota Supra, although, a handbook gearbox is, if not essential, a definitely-want.

Toyota, fortunately, is aware of its viewers higher than most. And though it took just a few years too lengthy to return to market, the 2023 GR Supra 3.0 is lastly getting the six-speed handbook followers have been ready for. Reward be.

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Row, Row, Row Your Personal

The truth that a handbook exists on this automobile in any respect is a superb factor. Toyota says it researched tirelessly and consulted with the neatest German engineering consultants to discover a gearbox that greatest match the persona of this automobile. The result? A ZF-sourced six-speed with minor tweaks.

Positive, the ZF is basically the gold customary for over-the-counter transmissions, nevertheless it feels utterly unspecial right here. The catch level is slim and a rubber band-like clutch motion means this automobile might be a chore in visitors. And the throws are reasonable in size however fairly notchy; the six-speed within the Nissan Z nonetheless feels snappier by comparability.

The excellent news is that rev-matching know-how comes customary, and the handbook does have a tighter ultimate drive ratio than the automated, dropping from 3.15 to three.46. The shift lever itself is fascinating, too; the superbly round shift knob weighs simply 7.1 ounces.

However greater than something, there may be an plain satisfaction to rowing your personal gears within the Supra at excessive speeds. The chic turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six – the one solution to get the 6MT – nonetheless produces 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque right here. Though it takes the handbook mannequin 4.2 seconds to hit 60 versus the automated’s 3.9-second dash, your butt dyno will not have the ability to inform the distinction. This automobile remains to be stupidly fast.

However greater than something, there may be an plain satisfaction to rowing your personal gears within the Supra at excessive speeds.

Dynamically, the Supra goes unchanged, with a taut however not-too-firm suspension making it nonetheless enjoyable to fling round within the corners. Toyota says it made minor tweaks to the traction management and stability management on the handbook mannequin, even including a Hairpin+ setting that tweaks the torque distribution permitting for extra free wheelspin on twisty roads. However in a dozen or so laps across the Utah Motorsports Park, it was onerous to note any distinction.

The handbook Supra, although, may have actually separated itself from the automated if Toyota improved the brakes. The identical four-piston Brembo calipers and 13.7-inch rotors carry over unchanged; the pedal really feel remains to be imprecise and they generally tend to fade on the observe. However that is a small criticism within the bigger scope.

Give A Shift

Eager eyes will have the ability to level out the handbook Supra’s up to date seems. The brand new 10-spoke, 19-inch rims sharpen up the wheel wells and the good-looking Stratosphere Blue helps brighten up the Supra’s exterior. Matte White and the cleverly named CU Later Grey are additionally obtainable on the A91-MT Version, which is proscribed to simply 500 models within the US and provides a flowery Cognac leather-trimmed inside.

However the handbook transmission remains to be the most important draw – and Toyota gained’t ask for any additional money in order for you one over the automated. The 2023 Supra prices $53,595 with the $1,095 vacation spot price included, and the restricted A91 version asks $59,440.

The six-speed handbook doesn’t instantly make the Supra a greater automobile, and there actually may have been extra important tweaks added past the gearbox (ie: the brakes). However the Supra was already a stable sports activities automobile; the do-it-yourself shifter makes it that a lot more durable to disregard.