The Legend of the Supra: From Celica’s Shadow to Global Superstar

Published on February 9, 2026 at 10:38 AM

By: The Toyotablogs Team

In the pantheon of Japanese performance cars, there is one name that commands immediate respect: Supra.

Derived from the Latin prefix meaning "above" or "transcending," the Toyota Supra has lived up to its name for over 45 years. What began as a stretched version of a modest coupe has evolved into a track-tearing, Porsche-hunting icon. But the road to legendary status wasn’t a straight line. It is a story of engineering obsession, cultural explosions, and a relentless pursuit of speed.

Here is the complete history, the current state of the GR powerhouse, and what lies on the horizon for Toyota’s halo car.

GEN 1: The Grand Tourer (A40/A50) | 1978–1981

The Origin Story

In the late 1970s, Toyota needed an answer to the Datsun (Nissan) Z-cars, which were dominating the US market. The solution? Take the popular Celica liftback, stretch the nose, and drop in a smooth inline-6 engine from the Toyota Crown.

Originally badge as the Celica XX in Japan and the Celica Supra in the US, the Mk1 was not a sports car—it was a luxury cruiser. It featured a 2.6L (later 2.8L) inline-6 engine making around 110 hp. It wasn’t fast by modern standards, but it established the two golden rules of the Supra that would last for decades:

It must have an Inline-6 engine.
It must be Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).

GEN 2: The Wedge Era (A60) | 1981–1985

Sharpening the Blade

If the Mk1 was a cruiser, the Mk2 was a car that wanted to handle. Retaining the "Celica Supra" name, the A60 generation adopted the sharp, angular "wedge" styling of the 1980s and introduced the now-iconic pop-up headlights.

Under the hood sat the 5M-GE engine, a twin-cam 2.8L inline-6. While it only pushed roughly 145-161 hp, the car was tuned by Lotus engineering, giving it genuine cornering capability.

The "P-Type": The Performance model featured flared fender arches (a hallmark of the Mk2) and arguably the coolest factory wheels ever made.
The "L-Type": The Luxury model had a digital dash and softer suspension for cruising.

GEN 3: Independence Day (A70) | 1986–1993

Enter the Turbo

1986 marked a massive shift. Toyota split the lineage: the Celica went Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), and the Supra kept the RWD platform, finally dropping the "Celica" badge to stand alone.

The Mk3 (A70) was a technological tour-de-force. It was the first Supra to feature a Turbocharger from the factory (the 7M-GTE engine), pushing power to 230 hp. It introduced ABS, TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension), and a Targa top.

The Downside: It was heavy. It became more of a heavy GT car than a nimble sports car, which left enthusiasts wanting something sharper. Toyota heard them.

GEN 4: The King of Kings (A80) | 1993–2002

The Legend is Born

When people say "Supra," this is the car they see in their heads. The Mk4 A80 is not just a car; it is a cultural deity.

Toyota threw out the heavy GT philosophy and chased pure performance. They shaved weight (using aluminum hoods and hollow carpet fibers) and installed the greatest engine ever made: the 2JZ-GTE.

The Stats: 320 hp (US Spec) twin-turbo inline-6. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.
The Secret: The engine was "over-engineered." Tuners realized the iron block could withstand 800hp, 1000hp, or even more with stock internals.

Combined with its starring role in The Fast and the Furious (2001), the Mk4 became the world's most famous tuner car. Production ended in 2002 due to emissions regulations, leaving a 17-year hole in our hearts.

GEN 5: The Resurrection (A90) | 2019–Present

The "German" Step-Brother

After years of teasing with the FT-1 Concept, Toyota brought the Supra back in 2019 under the Gazoo Racing (GR) brand.

The Controversy: To save costs, Toyota partnered with BMW. The A90 Supra shares its chassis and engine (B58) with the BMW Z4. Purists screamed, "It's not a Toyota!"
The Reality: It is faster than the Mk4. The B58 3.0L Turbo inline-6 makes an underrated 382 hp and hits 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

It is stiff, aggressive, and undeniably a world-class sports car. In 2023, Toyota finally gave the fans what they begged for: a 6-speed Manual Transmission option, cementing the Mk5 as a true driver’s car.

THE FUTURE: What Comes Next?

Rumors & The Road to 2026

The A90 Mk5 is approaching the end of its lifecycle, with production rumored to end around 2026. So, what is the future of the Supra nameplate? Here is what the grapevine—and Toyota executives—are hinting at:

The "In-House" Mk6: Rumors suggest Toyota may dissolve the BMW partnership for the next generation. Reports from Japan hint at a new chassis developed with Mazda or Lexus, potentially utilizing a new highly efficient Turbo-Hybrid 4-cylinder or a new inline-6.
The Electric Shift: Toyota is heavily investing in solid-state batteries. There is a strong possibility the next Supra could be fully electric (EV) or a high-performance Hybrid to keep the spirit alive while meeting emission goals.
The V8 Shock: In 2026, Toyota will put a V8 in the Supra—but only for the race track. Toyota Australia has confirmed a V8 Supra for the Supercars Championship. Could this inspire a limited-run road version? We can only dream.

Conclusion The Toyota Supra is more than metal and rubber. It is a timeline of automotive passion. From the luxury of the A40 to the brute force of the A80 and the precision of the A90, it remains the crown jewel of Toyota.