Toyota Supra

REPORT 2

£54,340 OTR/£55,050 as tested/£504pcm

WHY IT’S HERE

Is the new Supra a better daily than a Porsche Cayman?

DRIVER

Rowan Horncastle

“HERE WE GO AGAIN,” I THOUGHT AS ANOTHER WINDOW CRACKED open and started to roll down. It’s been the same for the last few weeks: predictable. A bit like when a dog spins around scoping out a landing pad for its latest arse egg. So I knew what was coming next.

“What is it?”

“The new Supra,” I say.

“A what?”

“The new Toyota Supra.”

“Ah...!”

Being British, they don’t ask any more. Just scan up, down and across the enchanting blue paint. Occasionally, I get a “Sick car!” to close off the conversation, but it’s normally a slow nod of appreciation. But the fact the Supra can get a reaction out of the general public in the UK says a lot.

Naturally, it’s vilified by salty petrolheads for the collaboration with BMW. But that’s a very small minority. Because you have to remember 98 per cent of the population doesn’t ‘get’ cars. We are the nerdy two per cent. Everyone else is more concerned about which Love Island contestant choked on a Percy Pig this week. But the Supra somehow hits them different. Primarily because people haven’t seen one before. But also because it’s bold, shapely and noticeably Japanese.

I’m still trying to get my head around the way it drives. So far, it’s proved to be a fantastic cruiser. However, it lacks connection when grabbed by the scruff of the neck, something proven while chasing Ollie and his similarly blue RS6 across the countryside a few weeks back. He could flick-flack and change direction rapidly while the Supra was languid and unsettled. But I know there is a decent chassis under there, I just need to unlock it. Which is easiest done sideways. I feel a plan brewing...