Performance Review: Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Supra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Toyota Supra has a 2954cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Supra shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Supra's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1603 kgs (3534 lbs) this makes the Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota Supra shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2954cc 24V St6 engine produces 232 bhp (173 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 254 lb-ft (344.3 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Toyota Supra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (169.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Supra.

The Toyota Supra has a Power to weight ratio of 144.7 bhp per ton and 158.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Supra competing with the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (169.7 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 (169.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Toyota Supra generating around 158.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (183.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (183.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Supra and the 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Supra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.55 secs @ 88.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 (15.48 secs), the 2016 Audi A6 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Avant Tiptronic (15.48 secs), and the 2009 Dodge Ram Sport RT (15.49 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 144mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Supra equals the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo then how about the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph), the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (155 mph), or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (155 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Supra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison