Toyota GR Supra gets 2.0-litre engine and lower price

• 254bhp and 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds
• 100kg lighter than 3.0-litre Supra
• On sale now

The Toyota Supra is now available with a smaller 2.0-litre petrol engine, which also gives it a lower starting price of £45,995. It may sound like a small engine for a sports car, but it matches the size of the engines fitted in the Porsche 718 Cayman and certain Jaguar F-Type models.

The BMW-sourced engine produces 254bhp, which is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Zero-to-62mph acceleration takes 5.2 seconds when you engage launch control (compared to 4.3 for the 3.0-litre), and the top speed is again limited to 155mph. It’s not known whether Toyota will also offer a manual gearbox.

We’re told the 2.0-litre Supra is a whole 100kg lighter than the 3.0-litre model, while the smaller size of the engine also improves weight distribution. In theory, the lesser-powered Supra should be better to drive. Running costs, both in terms of fuel economy and insurance, are also lower; Toyota quotes 38.7mpg and group 34E premiums.

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The standard 2.0-litre Supra is the only one to sit on 18-inch wheels instead of 19s, but still gets all the equipment of the 3.0-litre Pro. Heated alcantara sports seats, a reversing camera, sat nav, red brake calipers and lots of safety features are all fitted as standard.

There’s also a Toyota GR Supra Fuji Speedway Edition, a limited-run version that’s named after a famous Japanese racetrack. The kit list is the same but you also get white metallic paint, black alloy wheels and red door mirrors, plus red leather inserts and carbon-fibre trim inserts. Only 45 will be built, each costing £47,395.

What does it mean for car buyers?

The Toyota Supra has been a slow seller, perhaps due to how many parts are clearly shared with the BMW Z4 but the introduction of the more affordable 2.0-litre engine may attract a wider range of buyers. The smaller engine is certainly powerful enough, and retuned suspension means the car should be very fun on a British back road. Its success will depend on the availability of good finance deals. The Fuji Speedway Edition, meanwhile, looks to be good value considering its exclusivity.

Read our reviews of the Toyota GR Supra and Toyota GR Yaris.