SUPERCARS SUPRA IS SAFE
A new body could be draped over the Toyota GR Supra when it hits the grid for the first race of the 2026 Supercars championship series.
But, no matter what happens in showrooms, the Supra is 100 per cent locked in place as the third contender in Supercars.
The uncertainty over the future look of the Supra racer comes as Toyota Australia has just confirmed the death of the current car, the fifth-generation Supra code-named A90, which was previewed in Supercars warpaint at the Bathurst 1000 last month.
The road car news is no surprise, as the Supra is a clone of the BMW Z4 and the German sports car was always heading into the history books in 2025.
That decision left no choice for Toyota, which has also confirmed the current Supra will go out of production soon.
But that will not affect the Supercars program.
"There is no plan to discontinue the Supra brand in this car company. I know that," said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations.
But, there are still questions with no answers. Including the final shape of the Supercars racer, and the potential for a body swap from the Bathurst preview car once the 'new' Supra goes on sale.
"It might change. It might morph, shape-wise," Hanley admitted.
While the future look of the Supra is still a secret, the sign-off car for the current Supra is clear.
The Final Edition has gets a power boost that takes its 3-litre six-cylinder turbo engine to a rampaging 435 horsepower, complemented with track suspension, much bigger brakes and tyres, with a race-look aero package using a front splitter and large rear spoiler.
Only 300 will be built and none is set for Australia.
Instead, local fans of the GR Supra will get the Supra Track Edition, a car with body and handling upgrades but not the visual excitement or engine extra punch of the Final Edition.
The Track Edition has nothing more in the engine room, although Toyota Australia promises changes to the differential, power steering and chassis.
So, what does the upcoming showroom shift mean for the future of the Supra in Supercars? Nothing.
Toyota Australia has already confirmed that it will have a Supra-badged coupe suitable for its ambitious attack on Supercars with Walkinshaw Andretti United from the start of 2026.
"There is no plan to discontinue the Supra brand in this car company. I know that," said Hanley.
"I have no expectation . . . that the Supra brand will disappear. At all.
"The Supra nameplate goes back for years. There is a lot of legacy there. It is an incredibly important brand."
He also highlighted the importance of the Supercars program to the brand building at Toyota Australia in the face of an unprecedented showroom onslaught by new Chinese brands.
"If you get it right, people will start to gravitate to your brand and go ‘Wow, that’s a fun brand. They are doing well, they know what they’re doing’," said Hanley.
