The new Toyota Supra is the best it’s ever been thanks to a rare feature

ACCORDING to the latest figures, the number of British drivers taking an automatic-only licence has doubled over the past 10 years.

That equates to around 1.1million people – and the largest proportion of those took the test in the last year alone.

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Nobody told Toyota, because it has just launched a manual version of its Supra sports car.

Thank God, because the result is the best Supra you can buy and also one the finest sports cars on sale full stop.

Toyota launched the latest Supra in 2019 with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Then, last year, a cheaper 2.0-litre petrol model was added, but that was an auto too.

Finally, driving enthusiasts were able to sleep at night when a six-speed manual gearbox option was added to the 3.0-litre engine this year.

Underneath, the Supra shares much of its hardware with the BMW Z4, but Toyota has engineered the details itself.

Like the fact it considered three different weights of gear knob before settling on the one fitted. That’s precision.

I can confirm they chose well because as manual gearboxes go it’s superb. Weighty, precise, lovely.

That six-cylinder engine – borrowed from BMW – remains a stunner too, even if it could do with a more exciting note, even in Sport mode.

Because manual gearboxes tend to weigh less than autos, the Supra has shed a few kilos, meaning it feels slightly more agile too.

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Granted, sports cars like the Porsche Cayman and Alpine A110 feel even more eager to change direction, but the Supra is more than capable of putting a smile on your face. More so as a manual.

The Toyota is also more comfortable and quieter over long distances than those rivals and the Supra’s cabin is another thing that has benefitted from the tie-up with BMW.

It’s high-quality and you get BMW’s Drive infotainment system which remains one of the best you can buy in any new car.

There’s more good news; go for the manual Supra and you’ll save yourself £4,000 versus the auto.

Granted, £53k isn’t cheap, but a Cayman and A110 start at roughly the same and many will think the Supra looks better.

As we move towards 2030 and an all-electric future, the manual gearbox is likely to die out forever.

If you love driving, you’d best take the chance while you still can.

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