The Toyota Supra is a car that needs no introduction to any car enthusiast. Everyone car obsessed enthusiast wanted to get their hands on one of these in the '90s, and the trim to get was the twin turbo-charged six-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission. When production stopped for the fourth generation Supra back in the late 1990's, enthusiasts were wondering if the nameplate would ever be revived again. Much to the delight of many, nearly two decades later in 2019, the fifth generation Toyota Supra was released, but something was missing - the manual transmission. Though it has already been a few years since the model was revived, it can now, finally, be had with a manual.
Supra Owners Can Now (Truly) Do The Shifting Themselves
When first released, the new Supra was praised for sticking true to its roots - rear-wheel drive, six-cylinders with turbos, and the classic proportions to make it a proper sports car. However, the option of a manual transmission was not available. Yes, we now know that it is not humanly possible to shift faster than a modern automatic, and that the number of people who know how to operate a manual transmission is decreasing. However, for the enthusiast that prefers manual transmissions, there is an unexplainable feeling of shifting through the gears on your own, a true connection between man and machine. This feeling is lost in most modern vehicles but is a feeling that captures the spirit of 90's sports cars. Inevitably, many sports car enthusiasts were disappointed with Toyota's decision to not offer a manual transmission.
The Manual Will Be Available On Six-Cylinder Supras Only
Fast forward three years, and voila, car enthusiasts rejoice. A manual transmission will be offered in the six-cylinder version of the 2023 Supra. Millennials around the world who were either too young or could not afford one at the time now have a chance to own a brand new Toyota Supra with a manual transmission, a dream car for many. The sudden change in Toyota's decision-making is quite unclear, but speculation gives credit to the new Nissan Z, a direct competitor to the Toyota Supra, which of course offers a manual transmission. It was not long ago when auto manufacturers would offer a standard transmission for any sports car in their lineup, but today, manual transmissions are few and far between. So, our hats go off to Toyota, Nissan, and any other manufacturer still offering the tried and true manual transmission, and it is our job to praise and purchase these vehicles, so that they continue to be manufactured. The automotive industry will never go back to when a manual transmission is standard, or the option was offered in more of their line-up, but we as enthusiasts can and should try our best to keep the manual alive, so that we can share that automotive spirit with future generations.