The new Toyota Supra is just a Toyota Supra by name. It uses a BMW-enhanced chassis, a BMW engine, a ZF-gearbox and most BMW electronics. Of course, Toyota tweaked the suspension to distinguish it from its BMW Z4 siblings, but if you drive the two backwards, you know they mostly feel the same way. Which compares this new video from The Straight Pipes, where the BMW M240i fights the Supra, an inter-BMW battle.
Honestly, the only thing that sets these cars apart is their chassis. The BMW M240i is built on the latest generation of BMW’s rear-wheel drive CLAR architecture. Although the Toyota Supra is built on the Bespoke sports car chassis that underpins the Z4. To be honest, the latter is a better chassis; It is stiffer, lighter and more dynamic.
However, both cars have the same engine; A 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque; Same infection; An eight-speed ZF automatic; And mostly the same internal technology. But how do they drive and which is better?
They obviously look very different. I’m one of the few enthusiasts who really likes the look of the new 2 Series and thinks the M240i is a great looking car (especially in Thundernite Purple!) But the Suprati looks even better. Its bespoke sports car chassis allows for many more attractive designs and the supra’s incredible hips, its built-in trunk spoiler, double-bubble roof, incredibly small overhang and low sloping nose make it one of the most beautiful sports cars on sale. You can be as cruel as you want to be about a super badge-engineered existence – which is a perfectly reasonable feeling – but there’s no denying how good it looks.
Although the Supra’s only difference is its chassis, it’s actually a huge difference. The steering, balance and overall feel are even better, as is the case with the M240i. After driving the M240i and the Supra and Z4 extensively, I can say that I would run any one of the “Zupra” twins on the M240i any day. But what do the hosts of Straight Pipes think? Check it out below.