Toyota GR Supra 2.0 FUJI SPEEDWAY: the curious first limited edition

Toyota’s choice was, to put it mildly, an interesting one. For the first limited-run version of the new Toyota GR Supra, the Japanese marque went with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 258 CV, rather than the 3.0-litre six-cylinder with 340 CV.

It is called the Toyota GR Supra 2.0 FUJI SPEEDWAY, a name that pays tribute to the famous Japanese circuit near the city of Shizuoka.

So, was opting for the 2.0-litre engine a good call for a special edition?

The differences on the Toyota GR Supra 2.0 FUJI SPEEDWAY

Before we get behind the wheel, it is worth underlining that compared with the standard GR Supra 2.0 Signature, the changes on this Toyota GR Supra 2.0 FUJI SPEEDWAY are purely cosmetic.

On the outside, you can spot it by its metallic white paint, set off nicely by the 19” matte-black alloy wheels and the red door mirrors. Inside, the distinctions are again limited. The dashboard stands out thanks to carbon-fibre inlays, while the seats are trimmed in red-and-black Alcantara.

In terms of equipment, the Speedway version bundles in all the features found in the Connect and Sport equipment packs available across the GR Supra range.

A matter of pride?

This Fuji Speedway edition was created to mark the arrival of the 2.0 l engine in the GR Supra line-up - a model we have already tested in this video. Production is capped at 200 units, and only two cars were allocated to Portugal. By the time you are reading this, they may well have all been sold.

It is an uncommon move from Toyota. Typically, manufacturers use the most powerful variant as the basis for special editions. That is not what happened here.

"Perhaps because Toyota does not see the GR Supra 2.0 Signature as a "poor relation" of the GR Supra 3.0 Legacy."

After more than 2,000 km at the wheel of the new Toyota GR Supra, I have to agree with Toyota. In reality, the 2.0-litre GR Supra is every bit as legitimate as the more powerful version.

As I have argued before, you do, of course, lose the power and torque of the 3.0-litre engine. The gap of 80 cv and 100 Nm is easy to feel. But do you know what else is just as noticeable? This four-cylinder version carries 100 kg less weight.

Those differences show up in the way you drive the less powerful Supra. You can brake later, carry more speed into the corner, and enjoy a sharper, more responsive front end. It is also a car that will still let you loosen the rear (as you can see in the video above).

Which one would I choose? I would go for the six-cylinder. Power slides come more readily and feel more dramatic. Even so, this Toyota GR Supra 2.0 FUJI SPEEDWAY is also hugely rewarding to drive.

The numbers for the less powerful Toyota GR Supra

This is a sports car capable of 0–100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h. All of that comes with WLTP CO0subscript 2 emissions of 156 to 172 g/km.

"Does that sound slow to you? It is not slow. I would remind you that in a sports car, power is not everything."

In fact, the smaller, lighter engine actually helps the GR Supra dynamically. With this engine, the GR Supra 2.0 is 100 kg lighter than the 3.0-litre version - and it is not only the engine: the front brake discs are smaller in diameter, among other changes. What is more, because the engine is more compact, it sits closer to the centre of the GR Supra, which helps deliver a 50:50 weight distribution.

As for the chassis, whichever engine you choose, the Toyota GR Supra retains the same “perfect ratio” (Golden Ratio), defined by the relationship between wheelbase length and track width. Every GR Supra has a ratio of 1.55, which sits in the ideal window.

All of which is to say: if you are considering buying a Toyota GR Supra, you will not be disappointed by what the 2.0-litre version brings to the table - whether that is the Signature or this Fuji Speedway special edition.