A Toyota test driver has confirmed the new Supra will be offered with a so-called “drift mode”, while another executive revealed a manual gearbox is on the cards.
Speaking to CarAdvice, test driver Herwig Daenens said the new Supra – which shares much with the new BMW Z4 roadster alongside which it was developed – would be offered with a dedicated sideways setting.
“There is a drift mode available and you can also drive the vehicle with all systems off. It’s called track mode,” Daenens told the Australian publication.
“It is a combination of settings that you configure and unlock this mode. There is a normal mode and you combine it with ESC on and off. With a short push, it’s traction off, which allows you to have more slip angle. It activates later,” he explained.
According to the same publication, assistant chief engineer, Masayuki Kai, confirmed a manual transmission had been developed for the Supra.
“This is not yet finally decided, and depending on feedback from the market, we will decide if we should introduce a manual transmission,” Kai told CarAdvice.
“We have developed it, yes; there is hardware ready. Right-hand drive? Yes, of course. It needs to be sold in Japan, which is a right-hand drive market,” he added.
The new Supra is expected to be fully revealed in early 2019, before launching in South Africa in June that year.
