Deutsche Version

So what is this site about? It is neither a page about tuning, nor just another fansite with random information collected from the internet. If you try to find information about the 4th generation Supra on the internet you will usually end up browsing desperately sites that carry only information for models sold in one particular market (either North America, Japan or Europe) or simply carry false information.
The problem is: These information are often generalized and adapted to vehicles for other markets. My intention is to distinguish these information and show you the differences of all Supras for any market sold worldwide, probably a world's first.

At first: Where has the MKIV Supra officially been sold (=through Toyota Dealerships) and how many pieces have been sold? All Supras have been produced in Toyota's plants A21-26 (1993-04.1997) and M21-22 in Japan and then shipped to their destination market. No Supra has been ever manufactured outside Japan!
Country Sales Period Pieces Sold
Japan 1993-2002 ~30000
USA 1993-1998 11239
Canada 1993-1997 ~200
United Kingdom 1993-1996 623
Germany 1993-1996 ~500*
Austria 1993-1996 19
France 1993-1996 49
Switzerland 1993-1996 205
Italy 1993-1996 ~80
Netherlands 1993-1996 5-6
Belgium 1993-1996 ????
Denmark 1993-1996 ????
Luxembourg 1993-1996 19
New Zealand 1993-1996 6
Saudi-Arabia 1993-???? ????
United Arabi Emirates 1993-???? ????
Bahrain 1993-???? ????
Overall Number of vehicles produced 1993-2002 45221

As you probably have realized these figures are quite incomplete. It is very hard to find official data and the sources are quite different anyway.


European-Specification

The EU-Spec has been developed basically with having the high average speeds on European roads in mind. EU-Specs do have a special hood-scoop (Picture) made from glass-fibre plastic to cool down cylindres #5 and #6 and a rear-differential cooler. Automatic EU-Specs do have an additional gearbox oil cooler in the right hand front bumper vent. The rear-light layout is different from Japanese and North-American models as a rear fog-light is compulsory in most European countries. On the left-hand side it's: Turn signal, brake-light, reverse light, rear fog-light. In Non-European models the last two are interchanged and instead of the rear fog-light a second brake-light is placed in the case. EU-Spec headlights are glass-covered instead of plastic and particularly German and UK-Specified vehicles do have a manual beam-level control (compulsory in these countries).
Another feature EU-Spec vehicles do have is an active front-spoiler (Picture) deploying at speeds over 90kph (54mph) improving front down force. It hides behind the front spoiler lip at speeds under 70kph (42mph) . This spoiler is part of the standard-equipment on all European vehicles except German vehicles (additonal equipment without extra charge together with the high rear spoiler (Picture) as the "Aerodynamic Package") and Swiss vehicles, which aren't equipped with this "Aerodynamic Package" due to national legislation forbidding the high rear spoiler. Swiss MKIV are equipped with the wiring loom for the Spoiler-ECU though. Outside Europe the active front-spoiler was only available in Japan (additional equipment).
Another speciality is the small rear spoiler (Picture), that was only available in Germany through official Toyota Accessory (TTE). Conservative German customers disliked the look of the high rear-spoiler what lead Toyota Germany to ask automotive supplier B+M to develop a smaller version of the high spoiler.
Equipment details vary from country to country. EU-Spec models are usually equipped with the Targa roof. Hardtop models have been only available in Switzerland (on demand, either with 6-Speed manual transmission or 4-Speed Automatic Transmission) and the United Kingdom (standard equipement, Targa roof not available).
Furthermore UK-Spec models do have head-light washer jets (Picture) due to the bad weather.
Sales in Europe have been ceased in early 1996. In the end of 1996 the new emission regulation "Euro 2" had become compulsory. Toyota found adapting the Supra to these standards for not profitable enough due to the small sales figures in Europe. The last examplars have been delivered to their customers in early 1996.

Features

  • only available with Twin-Turbo engine
  • highest specification with standard seat heating and leather seats
  • additional automatic-gearbox oil cooler and differential-oil cooler standard
  • glass headlights
  • hood scoop for additional cooling of cylindres #5 and #6
  • aerodynamic package with active front spoiler and rear spoiler standard (Germany:on demand; Switzerland: Not available)
  • Targa roof standard (Switzerland: on demand; United Kingdom: Not availabe)
  • large brakes with 17"-wheels
  • Limited Slip Differential

    Country-Specific differences
  • Germany, Austria: black leather, aerodynamic package additional equipment without extra charge, Targa roof standard, headlight beam adjustment
  • Switzerland: black or ivory Leder, aerodynamic package not available, either with hardtop or Targa roof
  • United Kingdom: Right Hand Drive, only as hardtop, black or ivory Leder, headlight washer jets, headlight beam adjustment
  • Belgium: black or ivory leaher, no seat heating, Targa roof standard
  • Netherlands: black leather, Targa roof standard, no seat heating
  • France: black leather, Targa roof standard, no seat heating, only available with 6-Speed manual gearbox
  • Italy: as in Germany, no headlight beam adjustment, aerodynamic package standard equipment


    North American Specification

    In the US both engine-versions were available (only Turbo in Canada) as well as both roof-versions, what made a high number of combinations possible. Turbo-equipped vehicles were the top-of-the-line models in the model range. They came with the big version of the brakes (with 17"-rims) and leather seats as standard-equipment. A speciality are the rare "Hardtops" - Turbo-vehicles with a hardtop instead of a Targa roof. They were marketed as the "sportiest version" and are around 100kg lighter then Targa-Models. For weight-reasons they are equipped with cloth-seats from the Non-Turbo version as standard, nevertheless leather seats were available on demand.
    To boost up sales Toyota US introduced the "Supra SE" in 1995. Though being the "Special Edition" it is more likely a "low-budget" version: Non-Turbo with mechanical driver's seat adjustment, cloth-seats as standard, small brakes with 16"-rims and hardtop. The "Supra SE" was available in an exclusive colour: Pearl White. This colour wasn't available to any other specification the Supra came in and was only available in MY 1995. North-Amercian specified Supras can be identified by their side-marker lights (Picture shows facelifted version), which are a substitute for the indicators on the front-fenders.
    MY '96 Supras weren't available as 6-Speed manuals due to emission restrictions. Both engine types got equipped with OBDII-Interfaces, turbocharged vehicles already got the facelift-type traction control with "Snow"-Mode.
    Features like the active front spoiler, the hood-scoop and glass headlights were not available in North-America. The Canadian version shares the same specification with the US version minus some differences in equipment. Sales ceased in 1998 (Canada: 1997) due new emission restrictions and decreasing sales.

    Features
  • marketed as "Premium Edition" in MY '93
  • available as Turbo and Non-Turbo (latter with VVT-i in model year '98)
  • leather seats standard equipment in Turbo-Version (except Hardtop-Models), optional equipment in Non-Turbo models
  • no additional coolers
  • plastic headlight covers
  • available as hardtop and with targa roof
  • Turbo-Models with 17"-type brakes standard, non-turbo models with 16"-type brakes
  • Limited Slip Differential standard on Turbo, option on Non-Turbo (standard in 97+ models)

    Country-Specific differences
  • Canada: metric speedometer in kph (small imperial scale), seat heaters, daytime running lights, only availabe as turbo


    Japanese Specification

    In Japan all versions were available, but in a high variety of combinations. Equipment grades were:

    Turbo
  • RZ (1993-1995): Traction Control, Limited Slip Differential (optional in combination with automatic transmission), small brakes with 16"-type rims, 6-Speed manual or 4-Speed automatic transmission, Targa roof optional (only in combination with automatic gearbox)
  • RZ-S (05.1995-1996): 1995 introduced, equipment identical with '93-'95 RZ-Model, Targa roof not available
  • RZ (1995-1996): 6-Speed manual gearbox, large brakes with 17"-type rims, Traction Control, Limited Slip Differential
  • GZ: 4-Speed Automatic transmission, Traction Control, Limited Slip Differential, small brakes with 16"-type rims, black leather, Targa Roof optional (until 08.94), Driver's airbag

    Non-Turbo
  • SZ: ABS until 1995 optional, small brakes with 16"-type rims, 5-Speed manual or 4-Speed automatic transmission, Targa roof optional (only in combination with automatic gearbox)
  • SZ-R (08.1994+): ABS, Limited Slip Differential, 5-Speed manual transmission

    This amount of different equipment combinations might be irritating. Furthermore almost all options (leather seats, airbags, targa roof, rearspoiler etc.) available could be ordered as extra equipment for all other versions. The targa roof is an option that could be only ordered together with the automatic gearbox. It wasn't available with turbocharged versions from 08.94 on. Big brakes were available from 05.95 on (standard on RZ, all others: option) The biggest differences between J-Spec vehicles and export vehicles can be found under the hood. The 2JZ-GTE turbo-engine specified for the Japanese Domestic Market does use smaller injectors (440ccm instead of 550ccm), a different intake camgear and turbochargers with ceramic exhaust turbines instead of metal turbines. This leads to a lower maximum power output J-Spec Supras reach. Official figures aren't available since Japanese manufacturers had a "Gentlemen Agreement" about advertising cars destined for their domestic market with a maximum of 280hp.
    Nevertheless J-Spec Supras are measured with (~310-320hp DIN/~300-310hp SAE) on the dynometer. J-Spec Supras do have a limited-top speed at JDM-typical 180kph (112mph) while export models are limited to 250kph (155mph).

    Features
  • black leather and driver's airbag standard in GZ), optional in all other versions (dual airbags standard in facelift-version)
  • no additional coolers, ceramic turbochargers, other intake camgear, smaller injectors (440ccm)
  • plastic headlight covers
  • active front spoiler optional
  • Targa roof with turbo models only available until 1994 (only in combination with automatic gearbox)
  • large brakes standard on RZ , optional on all others (not available until 05.95)
  • Bilstein shock absorbers standard on RZ and SZ-R (until 1997)
  • electric folding mirrors (08.94+)


    Facelift Version (1996-2002)

    Facelift-Models were only available in the US, Canada and Japan. From April '96 on sales were ment to be boosted by modificating various details. Supra's headlights did get a black housing, the yellow indicators were replaced by clear ones (Image of the facelift front spoiler) and the tail lights got a anthracite-coloured bezel, which is also different from the pre-facelift version. A horizontal bar was added to the radiator opening in the front spoiler, the side indicators on the fenders of the J-Spec were replaced by side marker lights like on the US-Spec. The orange front side-markers of the J-Spec are different from those in the US-Spec, while the red rear-lights are being the same. The US-Spec type side-markers do have a flat, oval shape and are in a bright orange shade, the J-Spec type side-markers taper off in the frontal area with a small edge and are in a darker orange shade (compare image below).
    The dashboard colour was changed to a light grey colour and the cloth seats got a new pattern and an integrated head-rest. The lineup of available exterior colours did change in 1996, too. The following colours weren't available anymore.
    Colour Code US-Sales Name JAP-Sales Name
    752 Baltic Blue Metallic Deep Teal Metallic
    1A1 Anthracite Metallic Darkbrownish Gray Mica-Metallic
    The following colours were added to the lineup:
    Colour Code US-Sales Name JAP-Sales Name
    6P3 Deep Jewel Green Pearl Dark Green Mica-Metallic (05.95+)
    6N0 Not available Grayish Green Mica-Metallic
    8L5 Royal Saphire Pearl Blue Mica-Metallic
    There are differences between the J- and the US-Spec in other modification details.

    Japanese Specification

    In terms of technic no changes were made. The 3-gauge cluster was replaced by one with two large and three small gauges (boost for turbo-models/voltmeter for N/A's, fuel, oil temperature) (Gauge Cluster). The digital odometer was swapped for an analogue one. Exterior details were changed. As well the 17"-type as the 16"-type rims got new-style center-caps (Picture). The equipment grade "GZ" was dropped. Natural aspirated SZ-R Supras got the turbo-version's 6-Speed Getrag manual transmission instead of the 5-speed gearbox, as well as Recaro sportseats (also availabe with leather upholstery) as extra equipment. RZ's got them as standard equipment. Dual airbags became standard equipment in all equipment grades eventually.

    Another revision happened in August 1997: The cloth seats got once again a new, upbeat pattern and the 4-spoke airbag steering wheel got replaced by a 3-spoke one with carbon applications in RZ and SZ-R equipment grades. Both grades got REAS-shock absorbers as standard equipment as standard (Relative Active Absorber System), which minimizes vehicle roll in corners.
    A very interesting modification is the introduction of the "ECT-iE" called Tiptronic-Gearbox in RZ-S Supras. The known 4-speed converter automatic gearbox was adapted with buttons on the steering wheel for manual shifting. Along with the model-change of the Toyota Aristo Vertex the turbo-engine got equipped with variable valve timing VVT-i (Variable Valve-Timing with Intelligence), as well as OBD2-diagnostics and drive-by wire throttle control (ETCS-i). The addition of VVT-i allows higher reving and results in a torque peak of 450Nm (441Nm without VVT-i) at 3600rpm instead of 4800rpm. The natural aspirated 2JZ-GE engine didn't change.
    Exterior colours got overhauled once again. "Silver-Metallic Graphite" (1B9) and "Super Bright Yellow" (576) were added to the colour range, "Dark Green Mica-Metallic" (6P3) and "Silver Metallic" (199) were dropped. In August 1999 Toyota adapted the Supra's chassis to the new Japanese crash-standard "GOA". These vehicles can be identified by their modelcode "GF-JZA80" instead of "E-JZA80". The targa roof, which was lastly only available in SZ-Models in combination with 4-speed automatic gearbox got dropped completely in the same year.
    The last change happened in 2001: "Super Red IV" (3L2) was replaced by "Super Red V" (3P0) as an exterior colour.
    Supra's production ceased in July 2002, with special watches being hand over to the last few buyers.

    Overview Japanese Equipment Grades (1996-2002)

    Turbo (with VVT-i 08/1997+)
  • RZ: traction control, limited slip differential, large brakes with 17"-type wheels, 6-speed manual gearbox, REAS, Recaro sportseats (with optional leather upholstery)
  • RZ-S: traction control, limited slip differential, small brakes with 16"type wheels, 6-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed Tiptronic (end of 1997+)

    Non-Turbo
  • SZ: small brakes with 16"type wheels, 5-speed manual gearbox oder or 4-speed automatic gearbox, targa roof optional (only in combination with 4-speed automatic gearbox, until 1999)
  • SZ-R: 6-speed manual gearbox, limited slip differential, REAS, small brakes with 16"type wheels, Recaro sportseats optional

    North-American Specification

    In the US and Canada the facelifted version has been introduced with a delay of one year beginning with model-year '97. MY '97 Supras were marketed as a "25th Anniversary Edition". It was simply a marketing trick for boosting up sales and not an anniversary of any kind. Turbo-equipped versions (6-Speed reintroduced) were only sold in states without California emissions. They weren't available as hardtops anymore.
    Exterior-wise only the Non-Turbo versions got the new center-cap design while Turbo-Models kept the old style but high-gloss polished wheels as standard. Unlike the Japanese version the three-gauge cluster and the digital odometer remained the same as before.
    The US-Spec's last model-year ('98) features similiar modifications to those of the Japanese version after the revision in '97. The three-spoke steering wheel and the new design for the cloth-seats were introduced as well as new exterior colours: "Quicksilver FX" (1B9) and "Imperial Jade Mica" (6Q7, as an replacement for 6P3) were added, "Alpine Silver Metallic" (199) was dropped. The 2JZ-GTE turbocharged engine remained the same, while the 2JZ-GE natural aspirated engine got equipped with variable valve timing VVT-i like in the Lexus IS300. This modification resulted in a maximum power output of 225hp instead of 220hp (SAE). It was exactly the other way around as in Japan, where the 2JZ-GTE got equipped with VVT-i while the 2JZ-GE stayed conventional. Non-Turbos were only available together with 4-Speed automatic transmission in the last model-year.
    Decreasing sales resulted in a sales cease in 1998 (Canada: 1997), which marked the end of the production of LHD export-vehicles.


    Gulf Specification (Arabia)

    Features

  • only as Non-Turbo
  • only as hardtop
  • ivory leather
  • no sidemarkers (as EU- and J-Spec)
  • small brakes with 16"-type wheels

    Further Informationen:
    Exterior colours with official sales names, availability and production dates
    '99 Japanese Sales Brochure




    Technical Data
     
    Non-Turbo
    Twin-Turbo
    Engine
    2JZ-GE
    2JZ-GTE
    Type/Cylinders
    Inline/6
    Valves
    24
    Injectors
    330ccm
    550ccm (Japan 440ccm)
    Displacement
    2997ccm
    Compression Ratio
    10:1
    8.5:1
    Bore*Stroke
    86.0*86.0
    Power kw/hp (DIN)
    Power kw/hp (SAE)
    168/225 @ 6000 rpm
    164/220 @ 5800 rpm
    243/330 @ 5600 rpm
    239/320 @ 6000 rpm
    Torque
    290NM @ 4800 rpm
    440NM @ 4800 rpm (VVt-i 460NM @ 3600 U/min)
    Acceleration 0-100kph
    6.8sec (Automatic 7.7)
    5.1sec (Automatic 5.8)
    Top speed
    240kph
    250kph (limited, Japan 180kph)
    Length*Height*Width
    4515mm*1275mm*1810mm
    Wheelbase
    2550mm
    Brakes front/rear Ø
    small type: 2 Piston 296mm/1 Piston 307mm
    large type: 4 Piston 323mm/2 Piston 324mm


    Turbocharger Specifications
     
    J-Spec
    Export-Spec (US/EU)
    Maker
    Toyota
    Type
    CT12B
    CT12B
    Turbine Size Inlet/Outlet
    60/48mm
    52/44mm
    Turbine Material
    Ceramic
    Steel
    Compressor Size Inlet/Outlet
    62/39mm
    58/39mm
    Compressor Material
    Aluminium

    Questions? Corrections? Suggestions? Mail me: nfspaul(at)hotmail.com


    © 2008 by Paul Kubitza
    Version: 19.08.08