Toyota’s long awaited sports car has landed to acclimatise to local conditions

The Toyota Supra’s regeneration is almost complete. Production of the long-awaited sequel of the iconic nameplate is due to start in the first half of next year.

But before it lands in showrooms the brand’s Australian engineering team and the car’s creator — Tetsuya Tada — are in Australia fine-tuning the prototype sporty coupe in local conditions.

The group has spent a week in Victoria driving about the Yarra Valley, Mount Buller, Bendigo and along the Great Ocean Road to assess the vehicle on Australian roads.

Toyota Australia’s vehicle engineering and development team is led by Paul Diamandis who says the testing is focusing on “driveability, seat comfort and brakes.”

The vehicle’s urban agility, rough cornering stability and ultra high speed agility is also on the agenda.

“Working on aspects of handling and other details here in Australia allows us to make refinements that will result in a better car right up until production starts in the first part of next year,” says Tada.

Toyota Australia marketing and sales boss Sean Hanley added: “Supra is the halo model for Toyota sports cars and our new GAZOO Racing (GR) brand, heralding a new generation of stylish driver-focused cars with enhanced dynamics and performance.”

Chief engineer Tada says the coupe will