Toyota Supra concepts storm SEMA

A selection of sizzling Toyota Supras are starring at the 2019 SEMA show.

Leading the way onto the Toyota stand in Las Vegas is the GR Supra 3000GT Concept, which we previewed back in October.

While Toyota insists it’s a one-off concept, there’s plenty of media speculation it does preview a limited-run production vehicle. Hopefully some examples make it to Australia, where the standard versions of the BMW Z4-based rear-drive two-door coupe has just gone on-sale.

Inspired by the 1994 A80 TRD3000GT Supra only sold in Japan, the tribute features new front and rear bumpers and side skirts, triangular vents in the bonnet, an over-size rear spoiler, wider wheel-arch flares and 19-inch TWS forged wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888 rubber.

Under the skin Tein adjustable coil-over shocks, Brembo brakes, an HKS exhaust system and Bride seats have all been added by Toyota’s Customising and Development division (TCD). All that is literally wrapped in brushed silver offset by gold accents and a black roof.

Toyota wasn’t talking the performance capability of the TRD3000GT, but had no hesitation revealing such things when it came to the other Supras on display.

The HyperBoost Edition features a custom turbo kit that more than doubles output to beyond 600kW! Built by Lucky Leos 17 Motorsports, the car also boasts a 20-piece carbon-fibre body kit including an over-sized rear wing.

Then there’s the Heritage Edition, which makes 375kW at the crank thanks to a tune-up by Precision Turbo, which stuffs 18 per cent more boost into the B58 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine.

Put together by the Toyota Motorsports Technical Center, the Heritage Edition features the expected big rear wing that not only pays tribute to the A80 Supra, but is actually a modified version of an original item.

Headlights and tail-lights have been modified to look more like the 1990s Supra, while other aspects of the exterior include wider 19-inch HRE wheels and sticky Toyo Proxes rubber.

The big rear wheels forced the MTM team to replace the standard multi-link rear suspension with a short-travel pushrod rocker-arm system. That should improve the ride. Not!

By the way, the Hyperboost and the Heritage are being touted as the outcome of a grudge match between a Toyota USA marketing executive and a NASCAR TV analyst. In Aussie terms, sort of like Sean Hanley challenging Mark Larkham to a car-build.

The Toyota Genuine Accessory Team contributed the vibrant green Wasabi Concept to the SEMA mix. It features massive Brembo B-M Brakes, Öhlins road and track coil-overs, bespoke Toyota forged aluminium wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, a 4.0-inch exhaust and Five Axis aero parts. Just for something different, it features an inboard-mounted rear wing.

The mildest member of this wild bunch is the Supra Performance Line concept, the second vehicle on show developed by TCD. It features a body kit already on-sale in Japan and adds an HKS exhaust system and 19-inch forged aluminium wheels. The drivetrain is stock.

Four motorsport-oriented Supras were also on display; the GR Supra Racing concept that first broke cover in March 2018, the Gazoo Racing GT4 first shown earlier this year, an 2019 Xfinity series racer and a NASCAR pace car.