Toyota Supra
1986.5-1999
Introduction: Toyota put the sports car world on edge with its
Supra model. A rear driver sports car driven by a six cylinder
engine, it became a true performance car with the addition of
dual turbos.
1986.5 Toyota Supra
Comments: The third generation Supra was introduced in 1986.5 as a free
standing model, officially separating it from the Celica. Whereas the
Celica became a front wheel drive sport coupe, the Supra retained its
image as a rear-wheel drive sports/GT car. The new Supra would continue to
move upscale and become a showcase for Toyota technology. Originally slated
as a 1986 model, production delays caused the model to actually be introduced
mid year (hence the 1986.5 designation). The all new Supra was powered by a
3.0 liter DOHC inline six cylinder engine rated at 200 bhp. Notable features
included an electronically controlled independent suspension (called the
Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension - TEMS), and a removable Sport-Roof
panel (Targa top).
Production: 33,283
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp.
Performance: .
1987 Toyota Supra
Comments: The first Supra Turbo was introduced in 1987. The inter-cooled,
turbo charged version of the 3.0 liter inline 6 cylinder engine boosted
power to 230 bhp and 246 lb-ft. The Turbo model also included an engine
oil cooler and integrated rear spoiler. The sports package, which was
standard on the Turbo and optional on the base model, included a limited
slip differential (LSD), TEMS, and headlamp wahers. A new Anti-Lock
Braking System (ABS) was optional on both models.
Production: 29,907
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 230 bhp, 246 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1988 Toyota Supra
Comments: Only minor changes were in store for the 1988 Supra. The base
interior was changed from vinyl to cloth. The engines received minor
modifications to improve quietness. And the Beige/Brown two-tone paint
option was droped.
Production: 19,596
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 230 bhp, 246 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1989 Toyota Supra
Comments: The Supra received a freshening for 1989 with a new grille,
air dam, taillights, and rear spoiler. The Turbo engine was further
refined with intake, wastegate, and turbo modifications, good for
increases of 2 bhp and 8 lb-ft. Speed sensitive power steering was added
and the rear suspension rates were increased. The cruise control moved to
the steering wheel spokes.
Production: 14,544
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 232 bhp, 254 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1990 Toyota Supra
Comments: Only minor changes were in store for 1990. A driver's side airbag
was made standard. The cruise control moved back to a column mounted stalk.
Fluid filled engine mounts were added for smoothness and the power steering
boost was trimmed for more feel at high speeds.
Production: 6,419
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 232 bhp, 254 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1991 Toyota Supra
Comments: New five-spoke wheels with Goodyear GS-D Z-rated tires are made standard,
along with ABS on Turbo models. An out-sliding power sunroof is made optional, the
Sport Roof and pop-up sunroof are still available.
Production: 3,623
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 232 bhp, 254 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1992 Toyota Supra
Comments: 1992 marked the last year of the third generation. The Automatic
transmission shift points were revised. A ten-speaker stereo system with the
ETR/Cassette/CD system was made optional.
Production: 1,193
Engines: 3.0 I6 200 bhp. 3.0 I6 Turbo 232 bhp, 254 lb-ft.
Performance: .
1993 Toyota Supra
Comments: The fourth generation Supra was introduced in 1993 and firmly
established the Supra as a true performance car. The standard engine was
a 3.0 liter I6 rated at 220 bhp - almost the same as the previous generation's
turbo charged engine. The Turbo model added twin-turbos to produce a
startling 320 bhp, the most powerful engine offered in the U.S. by any volume
import manufacturer at the time. The Supra also featured new softly
rounded styling and a more compact look wrapped around a 2+2 body style
(though only children or small pets could ever fit in the back seat).
The turbo model featured an optional, and outrageously high, spoiler
that almost reached the height of the roof. Anti-lock brakes and
dual air bags were standard on both models. The Turbo model also featured
standard traction control and a 6-speed manual transmission.
Production: 2,901
Engines: 3.0 I6 220 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 210 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
1994 Toyota Supra
Comments: The Supra was pretty much carryover for 1994.
Production: 3,422
Engines: 3.0 I6 220 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 210 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
1995 Toyota Supra
Comments: To reverse the ever-increasing price of the Supra, Toyota introduced
the limited edition Supra SE, which was basically a standard model stripped of
all options. Little else was changed.
Production: 2,266
Engines: 3.0 I6 220 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 210 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
1996 Toyota Supra
Comments: The big news was the elimination of the 6-speed manual transmission
from the Supra turbo. Toyota was not able to get certification for the
transmission in time to meet new on-board diagnostic system requirements
for emission controls.
Production: 852
Engines: 3.0 I6 220 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 210 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
1997 Toyota Supra
Comments: The 6-speed transmission returned for the Turbo only. All Supra's
were designated 15th Anniversary Edition, even though technically, it was the 18th
edition (1979-1997). The big news was that Toyota cut Supra prices across the
board by about $10,000. Thus, a 6-speed manual Supra Turbo cost just $39,900
while a Supra Turbo automatic cost $50,400 just the year before.
Production: 1,379
Engines: 3.0 I6 220 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 210 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
1998 Toyota Supra
Comments: The Supra underwent a few minor changes for 1998. The exterior remained
the same, except for the removal of the Anniversary emblems on the front fenders.
Inside, a new 3-spoke steering wheel replaced the previous 4-spoke wheel, the cloth
sport seats had a bolder design, and the radio was redesigned. The Naturally
Aspirated I6 got Variable Valve Technology with Intelligence (VVT-i), which lead to
an increase of 5 bhp and 10 lb-ft over the year before. The Twin Turbo I6 remained
unchanged. The 5-speed manual transmission was dropped, even though the 6-speed
manual was still available only on the Twin Turbo. Therefore, the base model
was only available with an automatic. Faced with declining sales for Japanese
super cars, this would be the last year that the Supra would be sold in the U.S.
Production: 1,232
Engines: 3.0 I6 225 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 220 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. 3.0 I6 Turbo 320 bhp.
Performance: .
