1996 Toyota Supra Turbo review

Toyota Supra Turbo review:

The Toyota Supra was essentially a carryover model for 1996, offering one new color, the addition of a fabric covered rear seat, a fully manual cloth-covered driver's seat and the deletion of heating elements in the outside mirrors on non-turbo hard-top models.

With performance equal or superior to many of the world's most exotic sports cars, it would have been easy for Toyota engineers to forget that Supra is still a Toyota at heart. But because it is a Toyota, they were able to incorporate speed, style, quality, dependability and Toyota's legendary reliability.

Supra's turbocharged engine produces 320 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. Supra's twin-sequential intercooled turbos provide quick response at low engine speeds and high-volume output at increased engine speeds. During low-speed operation, only one turbocharger operates, using less exhaust energy to improve response and torque from a standing start. In the middle-speed range, the second turbo comes to idle at a pre-set exhaust pressure for a smooth transition from the primary to the secondary turbocharger. Both turbos operate at full boost in the high-speed range.

Due to ever-increasing emission requirements, the Turbo's six-speed manual transmission was discontinued. The four-speed electronically controlled automatic was been developed to extract the maximum from this engine. The automatic's control system adjusts shift timing, lock-up timing, hydraulic pressure for the clutch and brake, and engine torque in order to deliver virtually seamless shifts. In manual mode, selected by a console button, the transmission shifts quickly into each gear as it is selected. Shift times in manual mode are quicker than in fully-automatic mode.

To save weight, Toyota engineers chose to use a serpentine belt-drive system to power engine accessories. The accessories are in turn attached directly to the cylinder block instead of to brackets. Aluminum engine mounts also save weight.

Standard on Turbo models is a defeatable electronic traction control system which automatically senses wheel spin, limits power to prevent it and maintains traction.

The Supra is equipped with a sophisticated four-wheel fully independent suspension with coil-over shock absorbers with hollowed front and rear stabilizer bars for less weight. Race-derived light-alloy double-wishbone suspension at all four wheels helps keep Supra's driver in control. This system provides a comfortable and balanced ride under all conditions.

Steering is variable power rack-and-pinion providing necessary control at higher speeds, while requiring only a light touch at low speeds.

With Supra, safety is as important as performance. Included on all models are driver- and passenger-side airbag Supplemental Restraint Systems, high-penetration headlamps and lateral G-sensing four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS).

The Turbo model also was available with only a Sport Roof. End of Toyota Supra Turbo review.