MiniGT, Tarmacworks, YM Model Toyota Supra MK4 – A 2JZ FEATURETTE
A Generation's change!
The first generation of the Toyota Supra was simply a modification of a Toyota Celica. The maximum 145 hp was only available in Japan and therefore left little room for European buyers. The second generation (1981 to 1985) managed 170 hp, but again as a Celica Supra combination. The third Supra (MA70/71) was finally allowed to be independent and came as 3.0 GT Turbo A from 1988 onwards with a respectable 270 hp and different versions.
It was not until 1993, however, with Supra Mark IV, internally JZA80, that the "Supra" lived up to its name and became appropriately respected in the car world. The in-line six-cylinder engine with two turbochargers now delivered a respectable 330 hp, shifted either via a manual 6-speed gearbox or an unpopular 4-speed automatic.
Trip a leg...
The JZA80 was available as a Coupé and a Targa, whereby only the Targa model was officially introduced to Europe. The Mk IV was produced between 1993 and 2002, and around 45,000 units were sold worldwide during these years. The fact that the evil Supra was not a great success was mainly due to the fact that it was officially discontinued in Europe from 1996 and in the USA from 1998. One reason for this was not exactly brisk sales, but the stricter exhaust regulations, which did not make life any easier for the Mk IV.
The rarity of unmodified examples...
Either you loved it or you hated it. In 1993, the MK IV provided plenty to talk about! "The attached hat on the bonnet as well as the gigantic wing at the rear set obtrusive accents", was said on one side. "Timeless racing machine for the road", it said on the other. Nevertheless, unmodified examples of the Supra Mk IV have become rare! Even in the model car world, rebuilt Supra MK IVs like the one from YM Model or Iginition are very popular products in the car world! The 2JZ engine is now just as iconic as the RB26DETT of the Nissan Skyline GTR R34. Such engine types only strive to squeeze more power out of them! Adjustments to the engine management, larger air filters and of course turbo agregates with more boost pressure ensured that far more than 330hp were possible. 700, 900 up to 1000 hp were possible.
The Boost of the 2000s:
The Supra Mark IV made its real breakthrough after he was given a starring role in the first episode of "The Fast and the Furious" (2001). Paul Walker's bright orange Supra is likely to be remembered by every car maniac. Watch the trailer of the very first Fast and Furious Movie from 2001 down below:
In the USA, not only did the number of fans increase rapidly, but the prices for used Mk IVs also soared. This development is still continuing, good examples are rare on the market! The computer game series "Need For Speed" and "Gran Turismo" were also a reason for the increasing popularity of the fourth Supra generation!
Supra's Racing History
The Supra TRD 3000 GT, an exclusive TRD project, went one step further. To ensure a high level of exclusivity, it was decided to have 35 examples rebuilt by Toyota Technokraft (aka Toyota Racing Development Japan) in five different factories. In 2021, through the MiniGT brand, we finally had the pleasure of adding a 1/64th scale offshoot to the collection! The extra wide body kit, the aero bonnet hood as well as the even bigger rear wing are strongly reminiscent of the racing variants that followed, the Supra GT.
Thanks to Tarmacworks, we have the pleasure of being presented with both the 1994 Supra GT test variant (kept completely in white) and the 1995 racing variants used in motorsport as models. Especially through the computer game series "Gran Turismo", the 1995 JGTC version with the particularly eye-catching Castrol paintwork gained enormous fame! In the JGTC series, there were thrilling duels with the all-yellow Pennzoil R33 GTR! The Supra GT LM, which competed in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished tenth in its class, was also a piece of contemporary history.
2 Comments
Parag das
amazing
admin
Thanks a lot, buddy 😀