In response to the staunch supporters of manual transmissions in sports cars, Toyota has developed an intelligent six-speed manual gearbox for the GR Supra. In Portugal it will be available in the last quarter.
Until now only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission coupled to the 3.0-liter 340 hp and 2.0-liter 258 hp engines, the Toyota GR Supra now also features an intelligent six-speed gearbox.
The new proposal responds to fans of sportier driving, for whom a manual transmission is the one that allows for more exciting dynamics in a high-performance car.
The new intelligent six-speed manual transmission will arrive in Portugal in the last quarter of 2022 and promises to delight drivers who do not give up control of the vehicle and the sensations provided by a manual transmission.
With the availability of the new intelligent gearbox in conjunction with the 3.0-litre engine, Toyota will have the GR models in Europe with manual transmission and three pedals, either as standard (GR Yaris) or as an option (GR Supra , GR86).
shortened final ratio
Toyota stresses that the new transmission, along with the new clutch, is specifically designed for the power and torque characteristics of the 3.0-litre GR Supra.
At the same time, the GR Supra’s suspension and brake control systems have been retuned for even better performance – changes that are being introduced across the entire GR Supra range.
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The iMT transmission uses an intelligent control system programmed with new software that prioritizes sporty performance. When shifting, the parameters are tuned to optimize engine torque when charging and releasing the clutch; in cash reductions, the software has been fine-tuned for consistent performance. iMT is on by default but can be switched off in Sport mode if the driver prefers.
To avoid a slow start and a better feeling of acceleration in lower gears, the final gear ratio has been shortened from 3.15 (on the automatic GR Supra) to 3.46. The result is a better response to the performance of this sporty model.
Optimization of traction and braking
Meanwhile, GR Supra traction and braking have been optimized for manual transmission operation. To reduce the loss of grip when starting in first gear, Toyota engineers fine-tuned the car’s traction control (TRC) to achieve smooth operation similar to that seen with an automatic. The system is also optimized for the GR Supra’s characteristic torque, wide tires and rear-wheel drive.
For the new manual version, traction control is once again the focus to ensure an ideal balance – agility and stability under strong acceleration out of the corner. The TRC’s intervention has been calibrated to maintain stability – staying true to the driver’s intended trajectory – while delivering just the right power for a sporty feel.
New transmission lever
The changes introduced due to the new manual transmission in the GR Supra were not limited to the engine. Special attention was also paid to the way it was integrated into the center console to allow for better handling.
The existing center console design did not allow sufficient distance between the gear lever and the air conditioning control panel. For perfect ergonomics, the center console unit and the button for selecting the driving mode have been repositioned. In addition, the handling resistance on the lever has been fine-tuned and adjusted.
The feel of the gear change, the grip and the weight of the operation, are part of the human sensory connection with the car, so attention was paid to the weight and shape of the gear lever. As a result, Toyota adjusted the lever to be heavier (200 g) for a more pleasant inertia effect when used.
Magazine range in Portugal
The new GR Supra range in Portugal maintains the 2.0 liter engine with automatic transmission as its entry model, while the 3.0 liter engine version is now available only with manual transmission.
The new GR Supra range also benefits from new exterior color options with the addition of Sparkling Gray and Portimão Blue. The manual transmission version now has the Supra logo in red.
