Supra comes only in auto, but Z also available with manual
We’ve talked about the designs. How about the powertrains?
Both share rear-wheel drive, but the engines and transmissions are different.
The 370Z, which is the current model, has a 3.7-liter V6 engine with maximum output of 336 hp. But the next generation Z is rumored to have a 405 hp 3-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, which is the same engine as the Infiniti Q50/Q60 3.0t Red Sport 400 and the Japanese-spec Nissan Skyline 400R.
The Toyota counterpart is equipped with a 3-liter I6 twin-scroll turbo engine, continuing the tradition of I6 engines used in previous models.
The engine originally had a maximum output of 340 hp, but it was upgraded to 387 hp in October 2020.
In addition to the 3-liter model, a 2-liter I4 twin-scroll turbo engine is also available in two different tuning versions: the 258 hp SZ-R and the 197 hp SZ.
Transmissions are also different for both cars. The new Z will continue to be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, although an automatic model has not been revealed. The current model has a 7-speed automatic, so it is likely that the new model will also be available with automatic.
Hiroshi Tamura, the chief product specialist of the new Z, said, “I thought it absolutely had to be a manual transmission,” explaining that the Z is designed to be driven by the driver.
On the other hand, the GR Supra only has an 8-speed automatic. Toyota explains that the adoption of the automatic is a result of considering the shift feeling. But looking at other super sports that have automatic transmissions, it is said that automatic transmission has more advantage in terms of speed.
Prices for the new Z are yet to be announced, but Tamura says that they want to set the price “quite affordable”.
The current 370Z is priced from $30,090 to $47,190, so the price for the new Z is expected to start around $37,000.
Prices for the GR Supra starts from $43,090 to $54,795, which is about $10,000 more expensive when compared to the 370Z. But if the new Z is set to be higher than now, the two will be rivals in terms of price too.
Nowadays, people tend to buy kei-cars, SUVs, and minivans. Sports cars with a high sense of taste are in the doldrums.
However, even in such a situation, the appearance of new models for Japan’s legendary sports such as the two cars is great news.
And since there is no other domestic rival in its class, it will be interesting to see how the confrontation between the two cars will unfold.
Other infos about the Z are still unknown, but the launch of the car was announced that it will be around the end of 2021, and expectations are high.
