Response from Toyta, 2008 Supra

Come on, you Supra fans! Let them know where we stand!!!



From: Ask Toyota
To: [email]hachiroku_ae86@hoo.com[/email]
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 8:59 PM
Subject: 2008 Supra [Incident: 061018-000042]


Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message
and our response.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.




Subject
2008 Supra

Discussion Thread
Response (James) 10/26/2006 05:59 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
At this time, Toyota has announced no plans to bring back the Supra.
We are however, constantly researching the market to identify popular
vehicles.

We have included this hyperlink to Supra history.

You may wish to click on the hyperlink in this sentence for
information regarding Online Toyota Technical Information available by
short- and longer-term subscription as a lower-cost alternative to
purchasing a repair manual, and at no charge, recommended service intervals.

Toyota manuals are available for purchase.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file
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For more Toyota information, please check out Toyota Express Lube,
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Toyota Customer Experience

SUPRA

Series Chronology

1979 - Celica Supra debuts with 2.6L SOHC engine as development of
Celica line.
1981 - 2.8L SOHC engine introduced.
1982 - 2nd generation Supra, 2.8L DOHC engine.
1982 - CY 1982 - Supra wins Motor Trend "Import Car of the Year".
1986 - CY 1986 1/2. 3rd generation, 3.0L DOHC engine.
1987 - Supra Turbo debuts.
1993 - 4th generation.
1994 - CY 1994 - Wins Popular Mechanics "Design and Engineering
Awards".
1996 - Six-speed manual transmission dropped due to emission
regulations.
1997 - Return of the six-speed manual transmission.
1997 - Minor revision to head- and tail-lights, intro of 15th
Anniversary model.
1998 - VVT-i on non-turbo models, no Turbos with Calif.-emissions
1999 - Supra production ceases


Toyota introduced the Celica Supra in 1979. Its styling was based upon
the popular Celica liftback design, but it was both longer and wider. It was
the engine, though, that made the Supra stand apart from the Celica.

The Supra's 2.6-liter inline-6 engine was the first Toyota production
engine to be equipped with electronic fuel injection. The Supra was
available with both a manual and automatic transmission, and came standard
with 4-wheel-independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes.

Except for the addition of luxury items such as optional leather
seating and automatic climate-control, the Supra remained unchanged until
1981. In that year, Supra was given a 2.8-liter single overhead cam engine,
a revised 4-speed automatic transmission and final drive gearing, and was
optionally available with a new Sport Suspension package.

1982 saw a complete redesign of the Supra, along with the entire
Celica line-up. Now available as two distinct models, L-type and
Performance, Supra also received another engine upgrade. The new 5M-GE
engine still displaced 2.8 liters, but now sported double overhead cams.
Both the L-type and Performance package vehicles were mechanically
identical, with differences limited to fender flares, wider wheels and
tires, and a sport interior on the Performance package.

Slight changes on the 1984 models were limited to minor engine
modifications on the manual transmission-equipped vehicles (higher
compression ratio and larger diameter intake).

The next major change was 1986 1/2 when the Supra was finally given
its own identity. No longer part of the Celica range, the 1986 1/2 Supra was
equipped with a 3.0 liter DOHC engine and retained the four-wheel disc
brakes and all-independent suspension of its predecessors. In 1987, Toyota
added a turbocharged model to the line, making the it the first Toyota model
to be available with both a turbocharged engine and anti-lock brakes. The
1987 Supras were available with an optional targa-type Sport Roof for
open-air driving.

With the exception of minor styling updates, the next major change
occurred in 1993, when the Supra entered the realm of "supercars." Available
in both Turbo and non-Turbo guise, the new Supra was a radical departure
from Supras of old. Performance was now the name of the game, and many
weight saving measures were employed -- Toyota went so far as to equip the
vehicle with hollow carpet fibers and make the rear spoiler (optional on
Turbo models) hollow. The Turbo model was hailed by all major magazines as a
true worldbeater. With 320-horsepower, the vehicle was capable of 0-60 mph
sprints in under 5 seconds, and carried on to an electronically-limited top
speed of 155 mph. This was the highest level of performance, and the
strongest commitment to performance, Toyota had ever placed in one vehicle.

With a major redesign in mid-1993, Supra carried on to 1994 unchanged.
The next time Supra would see any change was for the 1996 model year. Due to
ever-tightening emission regulations, the six-speed manual transmission in
the Turbo model was dropped from the lineup. Still available in the Turbo
was the four-speed electronically controlled automatic. This transmission
incorporated a manual shift mode allowing the driver to select gears, but
also providing a fully-automatic mode. Minor updates were also made to the
interior and option list.

1997 saw the return of the six-speed manual transmission to the Supra
line, and the revision and addition of minor trim items. Head- and
tail-lights received a new graphite surround (rather than the previous
chrome), and all Turbo models sported "Turbo" badging. All 1997 Supras were
sold as Limited Edition 15th Anniversary models. All Supras also received
additional frame strengthening and sound-deadening material.

For the 1998 model year, emissions regulations have again caused
changes in Supra's availability. No turbocharged models will be available in
California-emission states, and only automatic non-turbos will sold in those
same areas. On the plus side, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence adds
five horsepower to the non-turbo engine, bringing it to 225. Limited-slip
differentials are standard on all models. As with all other 1998 Toyotas,
radio head units are redesigned.

Due to the decline in the high-performance vehicle segment, Supra
ceased production for the 1999 model year.

What does Supra mean?

Supra: Supra is a prefix meaning to surpass or go beyond.

Where was it built?

Supra was built at the Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Japan.

Customer (John) 10/18/2006 05:30 AM
After seeing the November Road & Track edition, I can only hope you
will
be selling the Supra as shown. It is infinitely better than what I
have
previously seen badged as a Lexus, and maintins the spirit of what I
consider the 'true' Supra, the MKIII and IV. The MKIII represented the
first split with the Celica and made the Supra a monster in it's own
right.

I have been a 'loyal' Toyota customer since 1974, purchasing my first
new Toyota, a Corolla 1200 when I was 17 and still in High School. I
have had numerous Corollas, including a 1980 SR-5 Coupe, and a 1985
Corolla GTS (Hachiroku) that I still have. Along with those I have
'resued' a couple of Tercels (one an AWD Wagon) and a Celica from the
Jaws of Death, and currently own the '85 Corolla, a 1988 Supra
Non-Turbo
Sport Roof that is a daily driver (when it's nice and sunny!) and just
acquired an '05 Scion tC.

The new edition of the Supra will surely be joining my 'stable' if it
is
sold in this country!

Thanks!




Please note, my address is missing something, ya?