DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: 2019 Toyota Supra revealed in full

The wait is finally over.

Toyota lifted the lid on the fifth-generation Supra at the Detroit motor show overnight, a car it claims ushers in a new level of everyday performance while staying true to the nameplate’s rich heritage.

Set to touch down in Australia from late 2019 – price unknown – A90 Supra production will be limited to about 300 vehicles locally in the first 12 months on sale. Demand will almost certainly outstrip supply and Toyota wants true fans to be first in line.

Each car borrows from a proven recipe, blending six-cylinder performance with a rear-driven layout – each strict caveats for Toyota while co-developing the new model with BMW.

“Driving enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating blend of power, agility and precision handling, achieved thanks to the car’s combination of a short wheelbase and wide track, light weight, low centre of gravity and highly rigid body,” Toyota claims.

While much is already known about the Supra, from prototype drives to leaks from Toyota itself, it can finally be confirmed the newcomer is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol good for 250kW and 500Nm – paired solely to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

The six-pot uses twin-scroll turbocharging, direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve control to deliver what Toyota claims is “segment-leading torque performance from very low revs”.

Officially, the A90 Supra can notch 100km/h from rest in 4.3 seconds, thanks in part to a launch control function.

Reinforcing the car’s sporty brief is a ‘Sport’ mode, which adjusts the engine sound and response, gearbox shift pattern, damping, steering and active differential accordingly. The stability control software also offer a specific ‘Track setting’.

Honed on some of the world’s finest roads, including the Nurburgring and even Australia, the Supra offers higher structural rigidity than Lexus’ storied LFA supercar. The suspension design comprises MacPherson struts up front combined with a five-link system at the rear.

In terms of appearance, the Supra’s final design takes inspiration from the Toyota FT-1 concept car shown at the 2014 Detroit motor show.

A drawn-out gestation ensued despite Toyota’s insistence on a pure and straightforward design comprising three ‘principal elements’: ”a short wheelbase, large wheels and wide stance; a taut, two-seat cabin; and a long bonnet with a compact body that reflects the drivetrain combination of in-line six engine and rear-wheel drive”.

What eventuated is a wheelbase shorter than the smaller Toyota 86 coupe, a small two-seat cabin and wide track with 19-inch wheels. Toyota says the design achieves optimum drag and lift characteristics, and an ideal 50:50 front-rear weight balance.

The sporty theme permeates elements of the Supra’s interior, which it must be said, is also infused with BMW finishings such as the gear shifter, centre fascia switchgear and centre screen. In fact, the BMW theme dominates the Supra’s internals, which is no bad thing.

The two-door sports car offers some semblance of practicality thanks to a boot space “large enough for two people’s luggage” or golf bag, while grippy bucket seats will offer body-hugging support in sportier driving.

Expect to hear and see a lot more Supra-related before the car's official Australian launch later in the year.

Let us know your thoughts on the final design and performance in the comments below.