The folks over at Car & Driver took a 2020 Toyota Supra over to a dyno to give it a turn and see what sort of power the car puts out. They decided to do this after testing showed the car could run 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and run the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds at 113 mph. Toyota and BMW have a history of underrating their cars.
Typically, when you run a car on the dyno, you expect to see less power than the ride is rated at the crank due to drivetrain losses. The Supra is rated at 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque at the crank. The dyno shows that the Supra made 339 hp at the wheels and 417 lb-ft of torque.
Those numbers are both higher than factory ratings, meaning that the engine is making significantly more power than Toyota claims. Why would it do that? Perhaps it’s a move to lower insurance costs or maybe some sort of agreement with BMW that the Supra wouldn’t outdo the BMW twin. We don’t know why, but it is a beautiful thing.
The Legacy of Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra has a storied history that dates back to the late 1970s. Initially, it was a derivative of the Toyota Celica, but it quickly established its own identity. The Supra became renowned for its performance, particularly with the introduction of the Mark IV Supra in the 1990s, which featured the legendary 2JZ-GTE engine. This engine became a favorite among car enthusiasts and tuners due to its robust construction and potential for high horsepower.
The 2020 Toyota Supra, also known as the A90, marks the return of this iconic nameplate after a hiatus of nearly two decades. Developed in collaboration with BMW, the new Supra shares its platform and engine with the BMW Z4. This partnership has been a point of contention among purists, but the performance numbers speak for themselves.
Performance and Engineering
The 2020 Supra is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which is turbocharged to deliver impressive performance. The engine’s official ratings are 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque, but as the dyno test reveals, the actual output is even higher. This discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, including conservative factory ratings and the efficiency of the drivetrain.
One possible reason for the underrating could be to manage customer expectations and ensure reliability. By providing conservative power figures, Toyota can ensure that the engine performs consistently under various conditions. Additionally, lower official power ratings can help in reducing insurance premiums, making the car more affordable to own.
Another interesting aspect is the collaboration with BMW. The BMW Z4, which shares the same engine, is rated similarly. It’s possible that Toyota and BMW agreed to keep the power ratings close to avoid direct competition between the two models. This strategy allows both companies to maintain their brand identities while offering high-performance vehicles.
The Supra’s performance isn’t just about raw power. The car features a well-tuned suspension, precise steering, and a balanced chassis, making it a joy to drive on both the track and the road. The 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and the quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds at 113 mph are testaments to its engineering excellence.
The 2020 Toyota Supra is a remarkable sports car that lives up to its legendary name. The dyno test results highlight the car’s true potential, showcasing that it offers more power than advertised. Whether it’s due to strategic reasons or engineering prowess, the Supra continues to impress enthusiasts and critics alike. With its blend of performance, heritage, and modern technology, the Supra is a worthy successor to its iconic predecessors.
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