"I'd start saving now, as the new Supra won't disappoint the enthusiasts. We've already had customers offer to pay deposits to secure the first cars - such is the hype already surrounding Supra.""I'd start saving now, as the new Supra won't disappoint the enthusiasts. We've already had customers offer to pay deposits to secure the first cars - such is the hype already surrounding Supra."The Supra name evokes power, performance and handling that defined a succession of world-class coupes from 1978 to 2002.

"Without question the Supra is an iconic Japanese sports car," says Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand's General Manager of Product and New Vehicle Sales.

"As a youngster, this was one of the most loved sports or street cars on the road, and I can't wait to reintroduce this to the roads of NZ."

Mr Lala was involved in the advanced product strategy team while he was on secondment to Toyota USA for two and a half years.

"The production car is closely aligned to the original concept, so the design and styling is going to be exceptional and a real head turner" says Mr Lala.

"I'd start saving now, as the new Supra won't disappoint the enthusiasts. We've already had customers offer to pay deposits to secure the first cars - such is the hype already surrounding Supra."

As a thoroughbred sports car, the Toyota Supra built a reputation both as a formidable performer on the road and as an all-conquering machine on the racetrack, dominating Japan's top-level GT racing series.

The GR Supra Racing Concept provides a huge visual clue to the fact that it heralds Supra's return: the large "90" race number on its doors is the codename for the fifth-generation Supra, following the A40, A60, A70 and A80 series produced between 1978 and 2002.

The Supra Racing Concept is a compact, two-door coupe with a pure front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration and makes use of advanced lightweight materials in its construction.

Its development is true to the belief of Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, that participation in motorsport provides the challenges of performance and durability that can directly help develop better cars, while at the same time generating interest and excitement.

The Supra Racing Concept is to be featured in a new update of the Gran Turismo Sport video game scheduled for release in April 2018.

The Supra concept has a dramatic bodywork design that includes a large rear wing. It makes extensive use of strong but lightweight composite material for much of the bodywork.

The concept's chassis features lowered front and rear suspension using BBS racing wheels with centre lock nuts, Michelin racing tyres and Brembo brakes.

The cabin is entirely competition-focused and is fitted with a racing dashboard and OMP driver's seat, safety harness and quick-release steering wheel. There is a paddle shift gear change system. The doors are lined with carbon fibre panels.

Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.

Dimensions:

Length - 4,574 mm
Width - 2,048 mm
Height - 1,230 mm
Wheelbase - 2,470 mm