Toyota Supra v BMW Z4 2019 comparison

Toyota has officially ripped the covers off its fifth-generation Supra.

But before the dust could settle at the unveiling at the Detroit motor show overnight, comparisons between the Japanese sports car and its anticipated rivals were in full flight. None more so than the car developed alongside the Supra: BMW’s Z4.

Sharing the same platform, driveline, suspension and, to some extent, internals as the Toyota - under an alliance between the car-makers - the BMW likewise borrows from a rich history of rear-driven, six-cylinder sports cars.

But which car-maker has done the better job? We measure the on-paper credentials of each.

There’s no easy way to say this. The internet has proven that neither Supra nor Z4 is unanimously supported in the styling department.

Whereas the Supra uses sharp (some might argue fussy) frontal angles, an integrated spoiler, curved rear wings and a bubble-like roof – harking back to its primary design inspiration, the FT-1 concept, along with the 2000GT of the 1960s – the Z4 borrows elements of the Z8 thanks to a gaping kidney grille and high-set headlights to truly makes its presence known on the road (rightly or wrongly).

The Supra was unveiled with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight six good for 250kW and 500Nm – paired solely to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

The six-pot uses twin-scroll turbocharging, direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve control to deliver what Toyota claims is “segment-leading torque performance from very low revs”.

Officially, the A90 Supra can notch 100km/h from rest in 4.3 seconds, thanks in part to a launch control function.

Not surprisingly, the Z4’s straight-six also claims 250kW and 500Nm – and again, uses an eight-speed automatic. Its torque peak arrives at only 1500rpm. Couple that to a power peak that holds on until 6500rpm and you’ve got a full 5000 revs of more or less maximum performance.

BMW claims it’s good for a 4.5-second sprint to 100km/h – a slightly slower time possibly caused by added weight.

Both cars are limited to an electronically-controlled top speed of 250km/h. Fuel use for either is yet to be revealed.

At Toyota’s request, the Supra/Z4 had their engines pushed back 125mm and the base of the A-pillars moved forward, in a bid to optimise the car’s front-rear balance.

A four-cylinder version of the Z4 is available, but for the purposes of this test, we’ll look solely at its big brother. Toyota has confirmed a four-cylinder variant of the Supra will be sold in Japan, opening the door to a possible Australian arrival.

The similarities between Supra and Z4 are really highlighted here.

Based on initial measurements, the Supra and Z4 share a wheelbase of 2470mm and both have an ideal 50:50 weight distribution front-to-rear. The BMW stretches 4324mm long and 1864mm wide, while the Supra measures 4380mm long and 1854mm wide.

The Supra’s suspension design comprises double-joint spring MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link system at the rear. The front suspension subframe and control arm mounting points are fixed, mated to aluminium control arms and swivel bearings to reduce the car’s unsprung weight, offering agility and efficiency.

Furthermore, the Supra employ electro-mechanical steering.

In the BMW camp, there is also five-link rear suspension paired with a double-joint strut front end with electro mechanical steering.

Despite the similarities, Toyota is convinced there will be noticeable handling differences.

“In terms of calibration and other areas we take a completely different approach,” Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada told CAR magazine. “You will feel like you’re in a different car with different tastes.”

Those impressions are validated by initial test drives of both vehicles; the Z4 following a sporty convertible vibe, the Supra offering more of a sports car focus.

“We’ve not considered things like practicality or comfort,” Tada explains.

Of course, nothing can replicate a physical head-to-head comparison between Z4 and Supra, and we’ll be sure to conduct one when both cars available on Aussie roads later this year.

Closer to this point, we also expect to learn final pricing and specification details.