You probably missed it but a 1994 Toyota Supra was sold last summer for a staggering half million dollars. It was painted in a rather gaudy Candy Orange with weird decals and, to be frank, looked a tad ridiculous dripping in masses of plastic cladding and with a rear wing that appears to have been acquired from a snow plough.

 However, the secret is in the car’s history. This was the car used by the lead character in the first of the ‘The Fast and the Furious’ films. However, just like a lot of things on the silver screen, the car is not what it seems. For example as Brian O’Connor (played by the late Paul Walker) is hurtling through the streets, you’ll see him sawing-away at the gear lever. Minor snag….up until very recently the Toyota Supra was only available with an automatic ‘box.  

 As is the one fitted to the Toyota GR Supra we’ve had recently at Driven Chat.

 The Supra is an important car for Toyota. When it was first launched in 1978 it made people sit up and take notice. This was a serious sports car that looked good and drove extremely well. Everyone was surprised in 2002 when they killed it off. But, just like in The Fast and the Furious film, the Toyota Supra hides a few secrets.

This 5th generation of the Toyota Supra is actually built in Germany alongside the BMW Z4 with which it shares most of the oily bits. The big BMW 3.0 litre engine, which has recently been joined at the party by a turbocharged BMW 2.0 litre 4-cylinder 255bhp engine, feeds the rear wheels via an 8-speed auto ‘box. All BMW straight six engines sound glorious when you press on, and this one is no different. The drainpipe sized exhausts let you hear every note. With an output of 335bhp you get a 0-60mph of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Toyota reckon an official fuel economy figure of 34.8mpg overall. We managed 36.1mpg. (Proud!!!) 

 And, okay, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we reckon it must be hugely irritating for the workers at the Germany plant when they compare the Z4 with the Supra and realise that the Toyota design is far superior. Oops.

 The Supra is surprisingly comfy too. We undertook a trip from Newcastle to Silverstone and found it extremely relaxing to drive. The variable suspension means you can tune it to your mood.

 As you’d expect, it comes with just about everything including sat nav, climate control, a really smart and simple to use 8.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, voice recognition, reversing camera, powered seats and a head-up display. The adaptive variable suspension lets you dial in a comfort or sporty ride.

 Out on the road, the ride is surprisingly forgiving. The steering feels a bit dead, but other than that the Toyota Supra is a wonderful and rewarding car to drive. It’s equally at home paddling along as it is being pushed to the limit. It’s the sort of car you can easily live with and use every day. Build quality is excellent. It’s all extremely refined.

 It can be fast and furious and also be extremely civilised.

Prices start at £49,495 for the 2.0 litre Toyota Supra (which is just as good to drive). This 3.0-litre model is £57,495. The manual version of the 3.0 litre arrives later in the year. The 2.0 has to stick with auto.

words & pictures: Graham Courtney
thanks to: Toyota UK