by Gabrielle DeSantis

The long-awaited second coming of the Toyota Supra was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some of them appreciated that Toyota would even consider releasing a two-seat, rear-drive sports car while reviving the Supra nameplate. While many others didn’t like the fact that it was a BMW underneath it all.

So far, I’ve spent a week driving the 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0, with its smooth and less-potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But this week, I’m driving the 2021 Supra 3.0, which has a bigger engine and more power. So far, it’s showed me that the extra power is nice, but not that necessary.

The Toyota Supra 2.0 has enough power for the daily drive

RELATED: Why is the Toyota Supra Banned in the U.S.?

Just to recap, the 2021 Toyota Supra comes in three different trim levels: 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0 Premium. They all have the same body style and each comes with a host of standard safety and tech-savvy features. And the higher you go in the trim levels, the more luxurious amenities you get.

In the case of the Supra 2.0 that I drove, it was outfitted with a premium sound system and all of the power accessories that you use every day. But under the hood of that car is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF-sourced, eight-speed automatic transmission. According to Automobile Magazine, that combination is good for a 0-60 mph time of five seconds.

In my real-world driving, that figure sounds about right. Under normal driving conditions, the Supra 2.0 got off the line quickly and responded really fast to any of my throttle inputs when cruising at highway speeds. Honestly, 255 hp doesn’t sound like a lot, especially since the car weighs 3,100 pounds, but it’s good enough for driving around town and commuting to work.

RELATED: Driving the 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0 Makes You Feel Like a Celebrity

The Supra 3.0 kicks things up a notch

If for whatever reason, you feel that getting on the freeway in less time than it takes to tie your shoes is too slow, then you can opt for the Toyota Supra 3.0. The big-brother Supra uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque and is mated to the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

In order to put that power down adequately, the Supra 3.0 incorporates an active limited-slip differential into the mix. On the public roads so far, I have noticed a large bump in power when flooring the accelerator. The engine comes alive quickly and the transmission kicks down through the gear with ease when the throttle is pinned.

It’s definitely faster than the Supra 2.0, up until I caught up with the slow-driving Prius in front of me. At that point, it didn’t matter if the car was powered by a turbo engine or a hamster on a wheel. There’s even a “power gauge” in the infotainment system that shows you how much power the car is putting out when you go through the RPM range. In most cases, that gauge didn’t even go past 200 hp when driving normally.

The power is nice, but not really needed

Case in point, the extra 130 hp in the Supra 3.0 is really nice to have, especially when you’re able to get on the throttle a little. Otherwise, under normal driving, you’ll never really make use of it. So, if you’re thinking about buying a new Supra and are torn as to which trim to buy, then just know that might not be missing out by buying the Supra 2.0 when it comes to power.

But if you really need things like full-leather seats that are heated — or perhaps a head-up display so you know exactly how fast you’re going when a cop pulls you over – spend the extra $10,000 for the Supra 3.0 Premium.

The post The 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 Proves Extra Horsepower Is Nice But Not Necessary appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

One of the most elusive arguments of the 21st century is what makes a car a sports car? Just kidding, that’s not exactly true. However, what attributes does a sports car have that a regular car does not? Is a Porsche a sports car, or is a Mazda Miata a sports car? Both of them count, depending on who you ask.

What qualifies a car as a sports car?

J.D. Power offers a bit of insight as to why this question is so hard to answer. In recent years, sports cars and supercars have blurred the line between one another. Some sports cars can keep up with supercars. Sometimes, supercars are just driving around on the road like a regular car.

J.D. Power suggests that to define what makes a car a sports car, we have to look at the British influence. Brands such as Morris, the Triumph Motor Company, and MG started creating cars for two people in the 1920s.

These cars were smaller, lower to the ground, and frequently had convertible tops. By the nature of these differences, the cars were quicker and handled better than the larger counterparts.

It was all quickly uphill and around the race track after that. Automakers started working on lowering the center of gravity to make the cars more stable. Companies focused on better brakes and suspension to make the ride better.

Weight distribution improved while the weight of cars, in general, went down. Automakers replaced aluminum parts with steel parts for weight reduction. And the most obvious improvement was the engine. Engines became faster, stronger, and arguably more fun to drive.

What is the difference between a sports car and a normal car?

RELATED: Buy Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes AMG GT and Race Him in Go-Karts

This is where the line gets even more blurry. Cars like the BMW M4, Mercedes AMG GT, and the Porsche 911 GT3 are fast, loud, low, and expensive. All the makings of a sports car.

The M4 has 473 horsepower and gets 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. The M4 Competition Coupe, this car slides in at 503 horsepower. It got an impressive 3.8 seconds for the 0-60 time. Both come with the 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline-6 engine. The M4 Competition Coupe starts at $74,700.

The 2021 Mercedes AMG GT Coupe is small, powerful, and fast. It has a hand-built twin-turbo V8 that gets 523 horsepower. The GT C gets 550 horsepower. The GT R gets 577 horsepower, and the GT R Pro Black Series gets about 720 horsepower. The price of this one starts at around $117,000.

The 911 GT3 gets 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. The same Naturally aspirated boxer 6 engine has a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds. It also has a top track speed of 197 miles per hour. The price? $161,100 to start.

These are cars with almost supercar numbers but are just driving on the road like any other car. By the old school definition, sports cars can only have two seats. The BMW has four, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fast. These cars are sports cars because they outperform most of the other cars on the road.

Cars can be multipurpose

RELATED: What Is the Porsche Paint to Sample program?

Some cars are built for different things. Ford Mustangs are built to be loud while driven on regular streets. The 911 GT3 is fast enough to handle an actual race track but is also ready for city streets. Cars like a Mazda Miata work well on the roads and the tracks.

As modern cars keep getting better, the lines keep getting blurred. Your car doesn’t need to have one specific purpose in life. It can go on the track and go to the grocery store. However, most people want to have a dedicated car just in case something happens.

You don’t want to crash your Honda Civic Si at autocross one weekend and not be able to get to work the next week.

In conclusion, a sports car is just a regular car that has been improved upon. Some cars have the magic potion and can do both at the same time. Don’t get bogged down in the details of the definition, though. Just enjoy the ride.

The post What Makes a Car a Sports Car? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.