Toyota rolls out GR Supra flagship sports car in Phl

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) has launched its flagship sports car, GR Supra, in its vehicle lineup as it looks to tap opportunities in the specialty passenger car (PC) segment, noting that the local automotive industry is on its way to recovery.

Speaking at the launch of the GR Supra, TMPC president Satoru Suzuki said this is the first time the Supra nameplate will be sold in the country.

TMPC decided to launch the GR Supra as the company’s study of the local market showed around 60 to 85 units are sold per month in the specialty PC segment, offering an opportunity to introduce a vehicle to cater to this niche market.

TMPC first vice president Rommel Gutierrez said the company is targeting car enthusiasts and sports car fans who have a monthly income of about P450,000 for this new vehicle.

Now on its fifth generation, the GR Supra is the first global model of Toyota’s performance development arm Toyota Gazoo Racing, which aims to provide better cars through motorsports.

The vehicle is powered by a twin-scroll turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine that produces a maximum output of 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque, and comes in three-liter displacement and eight-speed automatic transmission.

To achieve optimum cornering performance, the vehicle has a 50:50 front-rear weight distribution.

In addition, it has wheelbase-to-tread ratio of 1.55:1 for excellent turning and responsiveness.

GR Supra’s price varies depending on the color. The Prominence Red variant is priced at P4.990 million; while the Lightning Yellow, Deep Blue Metallic, White Metallic, Silver Metallic, Ice Gray Metallic, and Black Metallic variants are available at P5.050 million each; and the Matte Storm Gray Metallic retails for P5.090 million.

As the GR Supra is imported from Austria, Suzuki said customers need to work for around four to five months for the delivery of the vehicle.

To place orders for the GR Supra, customers can visit any of TMPC’s 16 GR performance dealerships in Alabang, Commonwealth, Makati, Manila Bay, Otis, Pasong Tamo, Quezon Avenue, Bacoor, Batangas, Calamba, La Union, San Fernando, San Pablo, Cebu, Mabolo and Davao City.

“As you well know, the all-new Toyota GR Supra is TMP’s new flagship model. We are confident that the Philippine market will be receptive, considering how we have steadily recovered for the first half of 2019,” Suzuki said.