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Aluminum All Around in Toyota’s 2020 Supra A90 Sportscar

© by Toyota

The 2020 Toyota Supra A90 — the first edition of the sports car in 21 years —will hit the streets in 2019 with a mixed-material body design involving a number of aluminum parts. The A90 is the fifth generation of Supra, and its rear wheel drive design provides a low center of gravity and 50:50 weight balance that is meant to optimize front-to-rear aerodynamic performance.

The Supra A90 features a sizable aluminum hood, aluminum door skins (inner and outer), and aluminum composite rear decklid. The front crash box or bumper reinforcement beam and the structure it bolts onto are also made of aluminum as well, according to Toyota senior manager for sports cars and crossovers Benjamin Haushalter.

The front suspension subframe and control arm mounting points are extremely rigid, yielding precise cornering characteristics. Aluminum control arms reduce unsprung weight, resulting in the car’s agility and efficiency. The engine cradle and a large shear panel beneath the engine cradle are aluminum, in addition to some of the under-body bracing parts, such as the high-performance wheel hubs that increase stiffness and optimize kinematics. The multi-link rear suspension with a five-arm construction consists of lightweight aluminum to reduce weight, while still providing strength and durability.

With the use of light weight aluminum, the preliminary curb weight of the 2020 Supra is 3,397 lbs including the turbo engine with automatic transmission. The rigid rear subframe, and the bracing that connects it to the body structure, helps ensure extremely precise wheel control. Toyota estimates the new sports car will accelerate from 0-60 m.p.h. in 4.1 seconds. Top track speed will be electronically limited to 155 m.p.h. Powered by a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the 2020 Supra’s 3.0 liter twin-scroll turbo six will produce 335 hp and 365 lb ft of torque and will be teamed with a quick-shifting eight speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. For precise handling, the new Supra features a variable assist and variable ratio sport-tuned electric power steering.

The Toyota Supra A90 is set to roll out this summer 2019.

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