| 5-speed
W58 manual | 5-speed
R154 manual | 4-speed
A340E automatic }} | | (3.0 L) }} | (1986–1988) | (1989–1993) }} | (manual) | (automatic) }} }} In February 1986, the bonds between the Celica and the Supra were cut; they were now two completely different models. The Celica changed to a front-wheel drive layout, using the
Toyota "T" platform associated with the
Corona, while the Supra kept its rear-wheel-drive layout. The engine was updated to a more powerful
inline-six engine rated at . Although initially only available with
naturally aspirated engines, a turbocharged version was added in the 1987 model year. The Supra continued its relationship with the
Soarer. All Japanese market models with the various versions of the 2.0 L engine were slightly narrower overall so as to be in compliance with Japanese Government
dimension regulations so that Japanese buyers weren't liable for yearly taxes for driving a larger car. The new engine used in the A70 Supra, the
Toyota 7M-GE, was Toyota's flagship engine until the release of the A80 Supra. Both versions of the engine contained 4 valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams. The
turbocharged 7M-GTE engine was Toyota's first distributor-less engine offered in the US which used coil packs sitting on the cam covers and a cam position sensor driven by the exhaust camshaft. It was equipped with a CT26 turbocharger and was rated at at 5,600 rpm while the naturally aspirated
7M-GE engine was rated at at 6,000 rpm. Further refinement on the turbo model increased power to at 5,600 rpm and of torque at 3,200 rpm in 1989. This was mostly due to a redesign of the wastegate. All models used the same tyre size of 225/50R16 on 16x7 inch wheels. Spare tyres were full-sized but on steel wheels. The naturally aspirated model came standard with the
W58 manual transmission. The turbocharged models included the
R154 manual transmission. Both were available with the optional 4-speed
A340E automatic transmission. The third-generation Supra showcased a wide range of new technology. In 1986, options available for the Supra included a 3-channel
ABS and
TEMS which gave the driver two settings that affected the damper rates; a third was automatically activated at
wide open throttle, hard braking, and high speed maneuvering. ACIS (
Acoustic Control Induction System), a method of controlling air compression pulses inside the intake piping to increase power, was also a part of the
7M-GE's technological arsenal. All models were fitted with double
wishbone suspension front and rear. A targa top was offered in all model years along with a metal power sliding sunroof (added in 1991). Production numbers of the GA70/MA70/JZA70 Supra was estimated at 241,471 units.
Model year changes 1986 The third-generation Supra was introduced in February 1986 as a stand-alone model, officially being separate from the Celica. Whereas the Celica became a front-wheel-drive sport coupe, the Supra retained its image as a rear-wheel-drive sports/GT car. The new Supra would continue to move upscale and become a showcase for Toyota's technology. The Supra was powered by a 3.0-litre DOHC inline six-cylinder engine rated at . Notable features included an electronically controlled independent suspension (called the Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension – TEMS), and some came with a removable Sport-Roof panel (Targa top).
1987 The A70 Supra Turbo was introduced in 1987. The intercooled, turbocharged version of the 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine boosted power to and of torque. The engine, designated as 7M-GTE, was one of the first distributor-less mass production engines in the United States. This was accomplished with 3 coils being shared using the
wasted spark system. The Turbo model also included an engine oil cooler and an integrated rear spoiler. The sports package, which was standard on the Turbo and optional on the base model, included a limited-slip differential (LSD), TEMS, and headlamp washers. A new 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) was optional on both models. In 1987, a new beige/tan colour combination was implemented, and only 1,000 cars were produced with this scheme. Toyota installed its variable induction technology into the DOHC twin-turbocharged 1G-GTE engine called
T-VIS and also included it into the 7M-GTE engine as well.
1988 Changes for the 1988 model year were nominal with the exception of the discontinuation of two-toned brown exterior paint. The spoiler-mounted brake light changed from a square to a trapezoid shape. Seat pattern was changed from squares to lines, and "foil" on climate control and switch gear changed from light to dark gray. Japanese buyers could select from six different trim packages starting with the top level 3.0 GT Turbo Limited with the
7M-GTEU engine, followed by the 3.0 GT Turbo, GT Twin Turbo with the 1G-GTEU DOHC 2.0 L engine, the GT with the 2.0 L DOHC
1G-GEU engine, the G with the
1G-EU engine and the S with the
1G-EU engine as the base model. The Japanese-market Supra came with either a 5-speed manual transmission or the 4-speed automatic transmission with ECT-s except the G and the S on which the ECT-s wasn't available. In Japan, the 3.0 GT Turbo Limited, the 3.0 GT Turbo and the GT Twin Turbo were installed standard with a digital instrument panel, the 3.0 L models came with an AM/FM Cassette stereo with an integrated CD player and cruise control. Climate control was also standard on all turbocharged models, and leather interior was only available on the GT Turbo Limited.
1989 Changes for the 1989 model year include modifications to the wastegate actuator, feed location and engine management increased power output by on the turbo model. The engine mount and brace were also revised in late 1989. The changes made to the cross member and mounts made to accommodate the (1JZ engine) for Japanese models. The protective body molding was also changed by taking away the steel reinforcement. This made the molding lighter and prevented the rusting problem found on the previous year models. The "white package" was introduced as well, featuring white body molding and white "saw blade" wheels. Interior choices were limited to blue and burgundy only. Other than pure cosmetics changes, there was nothing different from other models. All models received rear 3-point seat belts to replace the previous years' two-point lap belts. New tail lights, front bumper with integrated lower grille (as opposed to the previous years' detachable grille), side mirrors, turn signals, upper grilles, foglights, steering wheel, door panels, climate control, window switches and bezels, and stereo are added. Addition of coat hooks on B-pillar and removal of rear seat pockets round out interior changes. Turbo models received three piece spoiler with an integrated
LED brake light. 1989 also marked the end of headlight washers in the US and SuperMonitor; an advanced system offered by Toyota able to calculate miles able to be traveled on current tank, ability to check vehicle codes from inside the cabin, among other features.
1990 For the 1990 model year, changes included larger protective laminate in front of rear wheels, lower redline (owing to the heavier crank with cylinders 2 & 5 counterbalanced), redesigned steering wheel with cruise control relocated to a stalk on the right side (US only). In addition to a driver-side
airbag and airbag indicator light on dashboard (US only), the left side of the switch panel was also redesigned, which replaced one of the coin slots with the dimmer. The lower dashboard panel became a two-piece design, which was also much heavier than the previous one-piece panel owing to a change in material and the memory lever on the steering column was removed. In short, a plethora of the changes for the 1989 and 1990 were to the interior.
1991 Toyota announced that the Supra was some changes in 9 August 1990 for the 1991 model year. These changes focused on the exterior. The wheel design was changed to 5-spoke wheels. Both models had 16×7inch aluminium alloy wheels. Body moulding changed in colour to better match the exterior. The front "Supra" emblem was replaced to the current corporate oval Toyota logo. The speedometer was also revised, and included more lines that were removed in 1989. Every other body colour received a shadow gray interior, with leather interiors retaining medium gray seats and interior inserts. Front speakers were changed from 3.5 inch to 6.5 inches and the speaker cover was also enlarged to accommodate them. Beginning in 1991, Toyota began to offer a factory spoiler-style panel sunroof. These sunroofs are now highly sought after and rare since they were introduced in the ending production years of the A70 Supra. For the Japanese-spec Supra, The 2.5-liter inline-six twin-turbo
1JZ-GTE was debuted along with the Facelifted Supra.
1992 For the 1992 model year, the leather shadow gray interiors received black seats and inserts. Non-turbo models lost the option of a targa top, and a new optional subwoofer was available. Subwoofer-equipped Supras did without the rear bins and wooden "floorboard". Instead, rear carpet was molded to the spare tyre, and there was a cut-out for the woofer housing.
JZA70 and GA70 The Japanese models of the Supra were given the chassis codes JZA70 and GA70 respectively. The JZA70 has a 2.5-litre parallel twin-turbocharged
1JZ-GTE engine, and the GA70 has a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged
1G-GTE and a naturally aspirated
1G-GEU engines respectively.
JZA70-R In addition to the introduction of the JZA70 in 1990, Toyota introduced a special version of the JZA70 with the 1JZ-GTE engine known as the 2.5 Twin Turbo R model (JZA70-R). It boasted additional upgrades, including lighter sway bars, a larger intercooler,
Torsen differential, Interbred TEIN/
Bilstein sports suspension, Shadow/Dark grey interior trim,
MOMO steering wheel and gear knob and
Recaro seats and door trim. The wheels were painted charcoal grey, and the front bumper lip featured channeled air ducts for the front brakes. The Twin Turbo R introduced a new and exclusive colour option in 1992 for the JZA70-R model known as Jade Mica Green. (this colour was also available in European-markets) The JZA70-R model is the lightest and fastest model of third generation of the Supra.
Turbo A The Turbo-A was Toyota's evolution model for the Group A touring car series that required a minimum
homologation run of 500 units. The Turbo-A was manufactured for 2 months from September until October 1988 and was available in Japan. Thus the term 88 Spec A. Some notable differences between the standard MA70 Supra 3.0 GT and the Turbo-A model are both cosmetic and mechanical; Some of the differences between the Turbo A and the regular 3.0 GT Supra are: The standard CT-26 turbo had a slightly larger inducer and can be identified by a stamped "E" on the raised casting on the compressor housing. The Turbo-A had a wide throttle body and accompanied a larger diameter crossover pipe, instead of the standard
7M-GTE throttle body and original "3000" cast pipe, larger volume steel air cleaner instead of the factory plastic unit, thicker roll bars front and rear, ventilated brake discs, fuel management used a MAP system instead of the standard Karmen Vortex AFM, front nose features an additional "Turbo A duct" to add airflow to the top area of the intercooler. The Turbo A was given exclusive interior and exterior features, including a solid black body and wheels, triple ducts added to the front bumper, and genuine leather seats. All cars came standard with grey leather interior featuring a
MOMO-sourced steering wheel and shift knob. It is powered by a Toyota
7M-GTEU engine. It is important to note that the
7M-GTEU was standard in all Japanese MA70 models and is not unique to the Turbo-A. The "U" designation meant the engine came equipped with a catalytic converter as per Japan emission laws. The Group-A MA70 Supra had varying degrees of success in various fields such as Rally and 24HR, but is most known for its participation in the
Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC). In the JTCC the Supra did not win as many races as intended, which is primarily judged on the fact it was underdeveloped and its placement in a higher tier division under regulations because of the 3.0-litre engine displacement, imposing the Toyota with the performance inhibition of running with a higher curb weight and less power compared to the rest of its class. Both the
TOM'S and
SARD teams fared well in results in the (JTCC) with the
TOM'S team winning on its debut in 1987, before abruptly ending their (JTCC) career with the MA70 Group-A in 1989. Upon its initial
Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) debut in 1989, the Group-A Supra failed to finish its first race. With DNF's becoming a regular upset owing to the lack of power and heavy weight of the Supra, it began to strike doubt in the car's capability of success in the (ATCC) which suffered increasingly due to constant rules and regulation changes issuing a red-faced outcome against its main rivals like the
Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500, Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R and the
BMW M3 (E30) which were lighter, more powerful and had more development behind them. Hopes would further diminish for Toyota in the top division by the introduction of the domineering
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) in the (JTCC) in 1989 and the
Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) in 1990. Australian racing team Fitzgerald Racing won the first edition of the March 1991
Bathurst 12 Hour. Toyota in 1991 would switch to racing the Corolla Levin instead in the lower tier divisions, while many privateer teams soldiered on with the Supra until the Group A racing's final demise in 1993. Only eleven MA70 Group-A cars were built by
TRD Japan for homologation racing. A few out of many special developed parts that were fitted to the various Group-A race cars happen to include a cast magnesium nine litre oil pan with matching high flow oil pump, 288 camshafts with 10.88mm lift, Hollinger close proportion 5-speed gear-set in the R154 case, Harrop 4 piston brake calipers with 15.5-inch (393 mm) rotors, and TRD-sourced torque-vectoring mechanical limited-slip differential with 50:50 left:right lockup on full throttle. TRD was also responsible for the thick rear-anti squat tram-rods which were integral to the multi-link rear suspension setup to control rear squat under hard acceleration and launching.
Powertrain == Fourth generation (A80; 1993) ==