Yahoo Autos Will the New Supra Be Automatic Only?
Want to know two words that will make any car fan way too angry? "Automatic only." Want to make them laugh? Tell them that Toyota's new Supra will be "coming back soon." Want them to be really mad and laugh at the same time? We have a solution.
According to Autocar, the next Supra, which is a hybrid sports coupe developed alongside a new BMW roadster, may only be available with an automatic transmission.
Seriously! For true! But why?
The Supra will allegedly be a hybrid all-wheel drive system similar to the super capacitor setup in Toyota's TS030 Le Mans race car. A source told Autocar that setup means that it's probable that the Supra (or whatever Toyota calls the car) will only be available with an automatic.
That's truly unfortunate, but also not entirely unexpected. As far as we know, there have been three–yes, count 'em, three–hybrids with manual gearboxes, and all were made by Honda. The Insight, CR-Z, and Civic Hybrid are also not what you'd call high-powered sports cars.
Does it stink that the Supra might not have a manual? Of course it does. Will it be quicker (and probably better?) with an auto than a manual? Most definitely. Were a ton of the last Supras automatics? Totally.
But perhaps there'll be hope for a manual version if the hybrid system is removed. A Supra Superleggera, anyone?
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