What is the Meaning of the Name Supra?

The origin of the name "Supra" for the Toyota sports car is rooted in Latin. "Supra" is a Latin word that means "above" or "over." Toyota chose this name to emphasize the sportiness and performance capabilities of the car, positioning it as a step above the Toyota Celica, with which it initially shared its platform.

The name "Supra" signifies the car's elevated status and its intention to deliver a higher level of performance and driving experience. It reflects Toyota's aspiration to create a sports car that goes beyond the ordinary, offering exhilarating performance and a sense of excitement on the road.

By adopting the name "Supra," Toyota aimed to convey the message that this sports car represents the pinnacle of its performance lineup, with advanced engineering and technologies that set it apart from other models. The name has become synonymous with the iconic and high-performance nature of the Toyota Supra throughout its various generations.

Overall, this name is fitting for the Toyota Supra as it was a car that was able to punch well above its weight in magazine road tests, famously defeating a Porsche 911 Turbo and an Aston Martin DB7.

Toyota Supra vs. BMW Z4: Drag Race, Rolling Race & Brake Test

Why was the Toyota Supra made?

The development of the Supra began in the late 1970s, and the first generation was introduced in 1978. Throughout its production history, the Supra evolved into a powerful and iconic Japanese sports car.

The Supra was designed to offer a thrilling driving experience, combining powerful engines, aerodynamic styling, and advanced technologies. It was positioned as the flagship sports car in Toyota's lineup, demonstrating the company's commitment to performance and innovation.

Toyota aimed to compete with other renowned sports cars in the market (such as: Porsche 718 Cayman, Camaro ZL1, BMW Z4, BMW M2, Chevrolet Corvette...) and establish a strong presence in the high-performance automotive segment. The Supra's development benefited from Toyota's experience in motorsports, particularly in endurance racing, which influenced its performance-oriented design and engineering.

Over the years, the Supra gained a dedicated following and became renowned for its performance, reliability, and aftermarket tuning potential. The model reached significant popularity with the fourth-generation Supra, which was produced from 1993 to 2002 and featured the iconic 2JZ-GTE engine known for its robustness and tuning capabilities.

In recent years, Toyota introduced the fifth-generation Supra in 2019 in collaboration with BMW. The new Supra combines Toyota's design language and performance heritage with BMW's engineering expertise, resulting in a modern sports car that continues the Supra legacy.