Back in 2019, my involvement with a part-time NASCAR Cup Series team coincided with the exciting arrival of the new Toyota Supra in the United States. Growing up immersed in Super Street magazine, the mere mention of “Supra” evoked a powerful sense of nostalgia. It brought back memories of countless discussions with friends, marveling at the legendary Mk4’s potential for immense horsepower and its almost mythical status in the automotive world. For us teenagers, the Supra was the ultimate dream car.
So, expectations for a new Supra were understandably sky-high. Interestingly, I was offered the opportunity to reserve one of the limited-edition launch models, with the option to even choose its production number.
Image showcasing the initial launch of the Toyota GR Supra, highlighting its design and features.
I spent considerable time weighing the decision, reading reviews, and even test driving a model. A Toyota dealership near the NBC Studio where I worked had a striking navy blue Supra that consistently caught my eye during my commutes.
However, when I shared the idea with my girlfriend, her reaction was less than enthusiastic. “Really? You want that?!” she questioned, her skepticism evident.
Despite my initial excitement, her response gave me pause. I still admired the car’s aesthetics, but her doubt lingered.
After further deliberation, I ultimately declined the allocation. At that time, my racing career was still developing and didn’t provide a stable income. More importantly, I realized my enthusiasm for the car wasn’t strong enough to justify taking a limited allocation spot that could mean more to someone else.
My primary reservation? The initial Mk5 Supra was only available with an automatic transmission.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve finally experienced the manual version – specifically, the 2024 Toyota Gr Supra 45th Anniversary Edition – and it’s everything I had hoped for and more.
Unveiling the GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition: A Nod to Heritage
The 2024 GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition feels like a high school reunion for Supra enthusiasts, particularly those nostalgic for the iconic Mk4 Supra from the Fast and the Furious era, roughly 20 years ago. While the Supra nameplate spans 45 years, this edition specifically celebrates the legacy of the Mk4 and the cultural impact it had. It’s an invitation for fans to reminisce about the days of skipping class to admire the legendary Mk4 Supra.
Toyota is producing only 900 units of this nostalgic tribute, offered in two exclusive colors: Mikan Blast, a vibrant orange, and Absolute Zero, a crisp white. In GR trim, this special edition Supra boasts a manually adjustable rear wing, enhanced front bracing, unique forged aluminum wheels, and eye-catching painted brake calipers. A distinctive “Supra” stripe adorns the side, a subtle reminder of the car’s iconic identity.
Most importantly, this Anniversary Edition Supra rectifies a key omission from the initial Mk5 launch: it’s equipped with a manual gearbox! This addition alone transforms the driving experience and elevates its appeal to purist sports car enthusiasts.
2024 GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition: Performance Specs
Here’s a quick look at the performance figures that define the 2024 Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition:
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- Horsepower: 382 HP at 5800 RPM
- Torque: 362 lb-ft at 1800 RPM
- Engine: Turbocharged six-cylinder
- Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
First Drive Impressions: The Manual Makes All the Difference
The GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition arrived for testing on a bustling city street right outside my apartment. Almost immediately after receiving the keys, I had to navigate it into a tight parallel parking spot to retrieve my garage door opener. Thankfully, the test car was equipped with parking assist, because despite its striking appearance, initial visibility felt limited. More on that later.
Once I finally got the Supra out for a proper drive, it was immediately apparent that the 2024 model elevates everything I appreciated about the original Mk5 Supra to an even higher level. The most significant enhancement? The manual transmission.
Before delving deeper, let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, the interior does have a distinct BMW scent upon first entering. The infotainment system, chimes, and control dials are undeniably BMW-sourced. You might even encounter that one friend who constantly shares Instagram links in group chats reminding you, “It’s just a BMW!”
Having owned a BMW myself, I’ve always appreciated BMW interiors. So, as I sat behind the wheel of this exceptional sports car, I questioned: why is the BMW DNA inherently a negative aspect?
That internal debate quickly faded away the moment I started working through the six gears of the manual transmission. Forget the BMW versus Toyota discussion – I was instantly captivated by the gearbox and felt compelled to share its brilliance with anyone who would listen!
The Sensational Manual Gearbox: A Masterpiece of Engineering
The manual gearbox in the 2024 GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition is simply sensational. It’s easily one of the finest manual transmissions I’ve ever experienced. The shifts are incredibly smooth yet possess a satisfyingly mechanical and precise feel as each gear engages. It embodies the ideal of a modern manual gearbox: engineered to perfection, allowing developers to prioritize driver feel above all else.
It’s as if every aspect of the gearbox operation was meticulously considered and debated by passionate car enthusiasts, not a detached corporate committee. Imagine a small team of dedicated experts, akin to Apple in the 90s, spending late nights fueled by pizza, deliberating on the nuances of the perfect gear shift – not just the mechanics, but the emotional connection it creates for the driver.
Toyota calls it an “intelligent manual” due to its optional “auto-blip” feature for rev-matching downshifts. This system works exceptionally well, particularly on a racetrack like the FCP Euro Proving Grounds autocross track at Lime Rock Park. However, its responsiveness might be less ideal when leaving a quiet neighborhood early in the morning, as the “intelligent” system could rev the engine to 4000 RPM, potentially disturbing neighbors.
Minor quirks aside, this manual gearbox is remarkably user-friendly. The clutch is perfectly weighted, making smooth shifts effortless. It feels as though you’d have to deliberately try to make a mistake or stall the car to have anything less than a fantastic shifting experience. Moving forward, any manufacturer developing a manual gearbox should undoubtedly use the Supra’s transmission as the new benchmark. It truly doesn’t get much better than this.
Track Performance: Approachable and Exhilarating
Lime Rock Park, with its historic racetrack nestled in the picturesque Northwest Connecticut valley, and the exceptional FCP Euro Proving Grounds skid pad and Autocross course, provided the perfect venue to test the GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition’s track capabilities. Thanks to a small ownership stake (akin to owning a single blade of grass), I had the privilege of pushing the Supra to its limits.
The verdict? Absolutely perfect. Much like the gearbox, the track performance demonstrates meticulous engineering and a deep understanding of driving dynamics. This is one of the most approachable yet exhilarating fast cars I’ve ever driven on a racetrack. It possesses a serious edge with its power delivery once the turbo boost kicks in, but its approachability in braking zones and corners is truly surprising. Regardless of braking zone aggressiveness, the Supra confidently finds the apex, and from there, the throttle becomes more of a steering tool than just an accelerator, allowing for precise front-end control on corner exit.
Another dynamic shot of the 2024 Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition cornering on a racetrack, emphasizing its balanced handling.
For those wondering if this refined performance sacrifices fun, the answer is a resounding no. Drifting is effortlessly achievable. Want a controlled drift on corner exit? Simply add more steering input and throttle, and the rear tires gracefully slide into a predictable drift.
If you find yourself in a slide and decide to regain composure, a few quick steering adjustments and easing off the throttle promptly bring the rear end back in line.
It’s amusing to consider that on public roads, the Supra can feel slightly edgy in second gear, where any loss of traction can feel unsettling. However, on the racetrack, with just a bit more driving freedom, you realize that those moments of perceived instability were nowhere near the car’s actual limits.
The GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition reveals its true depth beyond initial impressions. It’s like discovering a hidden sprawling garden with a pool and panoramic views behind a modest facade. The true reward of this car lies beyond your initial reaction.
Street Driving and Daily Livability
The GR Supra’s full potential remains largely untapped on public roads. While still enjoyable, the engine can feel somewhat muted at lower RPMs before the turbo boost fully engages. Its cornering prowess is evident, but as with many modern sports cars, sensing its true capabilities on the street after experiencing it on the track feels almost impossible.
In Normal mode, the Supra offers a surprisingly comfortable ride. However, Sport mode can be a bit firm for rough roads and bumps. On the highway, it transforms into a fantastic cruiser. Despite its high-performance nature, it covers long distances effortlessly without causing driver fatigue. Contrast this with a long drive in a Mazda Miata, which can be tiring due to its lower power requiring constant planning for maneuvers and its small size making it feel dwarfed by larger vehicles. The Supra avoids these drawbacks.
It feels like it belongs on the open road, and during longer drives, it evoked memories of a Porsche 911 more than a Miata, which was unexpected.
However, a notable drawback for street driving is the cabin’s compactness. The well-documented blind spots are indeed significant – genuinely substantial. Without the array of backup cameras and driver assistance systems, minor collisions would be a real concern.
Simple maneuvers like turning left from a stop sign require extra caution. Checking for oncoming traffic to the right becomes almost a guessing game. Thankfully, the 382 horsepower is readily available to accelerate out of any potentially risky situations you might inadvertently create.
A Social Magnet: Making New Connections
Making new friends can sometimes be challenging, but owning a 45th Anniversary Edition Mikan Blast Supra is practically guaranteed to spark conversations and forge connections.
On a drive to Lime Rock, a Honda Accord driver on the highway accelerated past me, then intentionally slowed down to allow me to catch up so he could enthusiastically give a thumbs up and wave in admiration.
Later, at a Cumberland Farms gas station, a friendly gentleman engaged me in a 15-minute conversation about the orange Supra, comparing it to a Porsche Boxster he was considering.
The following day, driving the Supra around Greenwich, CT, a town known for its numerous Land Rovers and high-end Porsche 911s, elicited curious “What is that?” looks from onlookers. People were intrigued by this bright orange sports car that clearly wasn’t a Porsche.
On my final day with the car, while driving back from dinner with my girlfriend, we ended up behind a red Supra with a license plate that read “ITZABMW.” Following that car, I knew instantly that we’d be kindred spirits. This owner clearly wasn’t bothered by online critics who, likely never to own one, dismiss the Supra based on its shared BMW components. They embraced the playful side of the car.
Mk5 Supra owners, it seems, are likely to be great company.
Final Verdict: Embrace the Supra
As highlighted in my accompanying video review, my thoughts on the GR Supra are straightforward. Setting aside the 45th Anniversary Edition specifics, the 3.0-liter, manual GR Supra is an outstanding sports car – precisely the kind of car many believed might never be produced again just five years ago.
If you’re in the market for a sports car that excels on the track yet remains comfortable for long drives without sacrificing your back or causing undue stress, the Supra deserves serious consideration.
Its biggest challenge is arguably the iconic “Supra” name itself, burdened by 45 years of immense expectations. Strip away the weight of that legacy, and we would unequivocally commend Toyota for delivering a remarkable piece of automotive engineering that many other manufacturers wouldn’t even attempt.
It’s a genuinely great sports car. Don’t let preconceived notions or snobbery prevent you from experiencing it. Give the 2024 Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition a serious look.
