Category Archives: Vehicle type

Performance, Toyota

Return of the Supra legend

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Toyota Supra GR

By Bill McCarthy

WHEN it comes to show-stopping cars, a few names spring to mind. But for the majority of people, I bet Toyota isn’t one of them.

They would be wrong. The Supra is a bit of a legend with enthusiasts, but has been absent from the roads for a good while.

So the gleaming and sporty looking hunk of metal parked on the drive took a few people by surprise, even a local lad who knocked to door to ask if he could take pictures

The initial four generations of the Supra were produced from 1978 to 2002. This fifth generation has been on sale in May 2019 in three litre form, with this two-litre model on sale from January this year.

The first global GR model from Toyota Gazoo Racing, (hence GR), which the firm says was conceived as a sports car in its purest form, with no compromise

With the focus on all things electric at the moment, the Supra blends performance, agility and velcro-like grip with a choice of a three litre V6 or the two litre model here, both mated with an eight speed auto gearbox. The firm is right, it looks every inch a sports car.

Priced from £45,995 it was developed in collaboration with BMW, and shares much of its underpinnings with the German firm’s Z4.

It does look stunning, with its short wheelbase and wide stance, the long bonnet, double bubble roof, muscular rear haunches and neat spoiler.

Add to this the slim headlights, huge air scoops, and preatory looking low-to-the ground stance, it is neatly finished off with striking 18-inch alloys wheels, and visible high-performance Brembo brakes.

The two-litre driven here offers model-specific Pro specification, with standard features including those 18-inch alloys, a four-speaker 100W audio system with 8.8-inch touchscreen display, cruise control, automatic headlights and wipers, smart entry and start and heated and powered GR sports seats upholstered in black Alcantara.

The centrepiece touchscreen controls most functions, including navigation and smartphone connectivity and can be controlled via touch or a rotor knob, while the interior is classy and well equipped. In true two-seater style, entry and exit is a bit of an art form, but worth the contortions for the  sheer pleasure of driving the car. 

Performance isn’t class leading, but hitting 60 mph in a smidge of five seconds is not too shabby either. The three litre is around a second quicker.

But it’s not just about the raw speed off the mark. Handling is a delight, and while the four cylinder engine does not develop the throaty roar of a V6, there is a sporty rasp when accelerating hard, which is just as satisfying.

Maximum power is 254bhp with high levels of torque peaking at 400Nm, so it just keeps pulling hard through the gears.

It feels hugely stable, with its active differential, which can identify the road conditions, calculate the optimum locking degree, and activate the lock accordingly.

That operates both when accelerating and decelerating and can seamlessly adjust from zero to full, 100 per cent lock, with instant response.

In addition adaptive suspension and stability and traction programmes help keep the car safe even when the driver cannot.

In practice, it clings limpet like to the road, with sharp bends dismissed with ease and delivers even harder grip when accelerating out of bends, to deliver a hugely satisfying drive.

The power on tap does not mean the car is thirsty. Official economy of approaching 40mpg is pretty impressive.

It’s a two seater, so practicality is not going to be a top priority, but there is enough space in the boot for a couple of small suitcases.

Safety kit is also comprehensive with multiple airbags, a pre-collision safety system with braking function, pedestrian and cyclist detection with braking function, and lane departure warning.

Icon is a much overused word, but the Supra really does deserve that status and is a welcome return to UK roads. It looks great and is a brilliant drive.

Factfile

Toyota Supra GR 2.0 Pro

Price: £46,995

Mechanical: 254bhp, 1998cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine driving rear wheels via eight-speed manual transmission

Max Speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 5.2 seconds

Combined MPG: 38.7

Insurance Group: 34e

C02 emissions: 167g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Electric/hybrid, Hyundai

High voltage i30 makes a mark

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Hyundai i30 48v

By Bill McCarthy

THE Hyundai success story keeps building, and that’s because the Korean firm listens to its customers, according to a top boss.

In the last 15 years in particular, the firm has introduced a raft of new models across the segments, improved quality and embraced electric technology enthusiastically.

In the case of the new i30, its European marketing chief says that by listening to customers, the firm determined there is a need for a safe, reliable car in the C-segment that also offers modern features such as state-of-the-art connectivity and efficient powertrains – and that looks good.

Well, i30, is one of the cornerstones of Hyundai’s success and the new model does look good. Since it first came on the market in 2008, it undercut rivals substantially with bargain basement prices. But as popularity grew, so did the prices.

So it needs to be good and offer value for money as it is up against strong opposition. Hyundais have always offered plenty of standard equipment and this premium version is no exception, plus the five year/unlimited mileage warranty is still a key attraction.

This third generation model, is a handsome and stylish compact family car, offering practicality and frugality with the new mild hybrid setup.

It looks sleek and curvaceous with swooping bonnet featuring a wider black grille with chrome insets, slimmer headlamps with optional multifaceted reflector LED technology, new V-shaped signature LED daytime running lights and smart 17-inch alloy wheels.

 The rear has a smart new bumper and upgraded LED combination lamps.

 The upgraded interior is also smart, rather than stunning, but the car feels well put together. This version offers electrically operated and heated front seats and classy soft touch finish, while instrumentation is well laid out and logical. Centrepiece is a new seven-inch digital cluster and a new 10.25-inch navigation touchscreen, a tablet-like creation which sits just proud of the dash.

The brains of the car, it controls sat nav, infotainment and connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and wireless phone mirroring. It also features wireless phone charging. Also available is the firm’s Bluelink, which offers a wide range of information via an app.

The power unit on this model features a three-cylinder one litre T-GDI petrol engine with 120 PS with 48-volt mild hybrid technology for better fuel efficiency and for the first time with a fuel efficient six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT).

 The mild hybrid is designed to boost fuel economy, reduce CO2 and supplement the car’s electrical system.

It has a small electric generator that replaces the traditional starter motor and alternator and small lithium ion battery situated in the rear of the car. 

It also adds a boost to the engine when required provides more efficient starting and controlling the stop/start system when in traffic. You would expect economy to be good and it is with a claimed figure of more than 53mpg.

The 120PS of the petrol engine gets a boost when required, making the car quite nippy away from a standing start, with the typical three-cylinder rasp delivering a satisfying sound.

Road manners are good with decent enough handling and the ride is comfortable and smooth, just what you would want from a small family car.

In practical terms the latest model’s proportions offer increased width and an enlarged wheelbase. This provides increased space for passengers in the rear. Boot space has been increased by 26 litres, offering 352 litres of space for luggage with the seats up.

Fold the seats and stowage capacity increases to an impressive 1,301 litres.

The vehicle is also packed with cutting edge safety kit, from full complement of airbags, stability control, assisted braking and blind spot alert. Clever technology like  Rear Collision-avoidance Assist (RCA) system can activate the brakes to avoid a collision when the car is in reverse and a raft of other measures, like lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.

Practical, frugal, safe and packed with equipment. No longer bargain basement, but still excellent value for money.

Factfile


Hyundai i30 Premium 1.0 T-GDi 120PS Manual 48v 

Price: £28,825

Mechanical: 120ps, 998cc, 3-cylinder, petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual transmission

Max Speed: 117mph

0-62mph: 11.4 seconds

Combined MPG: 53.3

Insurance Group: 19

C02 emissions: 121g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles