^^ This is probably also because they are so rare to being with. They always were. Only 12,000 or so NA's and TT's in both auto and manual made it to the USA to begin with. I've seen several MKIV TT 6-speeds and MKIV NA 5-speeds up close over the years. Easily the most desirable original trim levels (manual).

^^ Truth. In 1996 the 6-speed configuration wouldn't meet the new OBD2 emission regulations (all 1993.5-1997 Supra TT's were 50-state emission certified unlike the NA's which had Federal and CA emission versions just like SC300's) and so they dropped the option for that model year. All 1998 Supra TT's regardless of being automatic or 6-speed M/T were not available in California market for the 1998 model year. Nothing had changed in those cars for 1998 and they were configured basically the same as before hardware-wise and electronically. The emissions regulations for CA vehicles had changed again for that model year and so Toyota had all Twin Turbos certified for 49-state Federal emissions for 1998 models only.

But by the 1998 model year with the introduction of the 2JZ-GE VVT-i engine the manual option was dropped from the NA Supra models in all U.S. state markets (again... just as there were no manual SC300's after MY1997).

While RHD Japanese Supras all got new 2JZ-GTE VVT-i and 2JZ-GE VVT-i engines with manual options, the USA/UK/Euro export market Supras did not... other than the then-new 2JZ-GE VVT-i Auto configurations because many more Lexus SC300's and GS300's were already being certified for that drivetrain setup.

 

Hmmm, not sure this is true. If you Google JZA80L-AJFVZA (this is the chassis code) this is a U.S. spec 6-speed 1996 turbo model. Chassis codes don't exist if the model was never made, at least that makes sense to me.

 

It is the truth.

Go onto www.fueleconomy.gov and select "find cars" > "compare side-by-side" and look up model year 1996, Toyota, Supra.

You'll find, for that model year, that the only model listed as "Turbo" has "4-speed automatic" next to it. No 6-speed. Never Federally certified in the USA for that one model year. Look up one year behind and one year ahead and you'll find a Turbo 6-speed listed as having been officially certified.

The chassis code JZA80L-AJFVZA and JZA80L-ALFVZA are both valid USDM MKIV 2JZGTE 6-speed chassis identifiers but this doesn't make a distinction between individual model years. Those codes are for spans of several model years. Look them up in partsouq and you'll see.

Also, any U.S. market 1996 Supra brochure will also confirm the lack of a 6-speed manual. Now *other* export market A80 Supras, such as from Canada or the UK may have still offered a Turbo 6-speed option and in Japan they certainly had a 1996 Turbo 6-speed (with VVT-i to boot)... but in the USA due to OBD2 emissions changes the MKIV Turbo only came with an automatic for the one model year.

 

^^ Hmmm that's interesting stuff seems like Toyota got snagged not being OBD-II ready? Funny considering AFAIK Toyota had the first OBD-II vehicle the 1994 Camry V6 and ES300. BTW I used (site won't let me post) to look up those chassis codes I've found that site is a direct rip off of the info Toyota dealers use. Could be that the parts info was put out there but as you say the model was never certified thus never sold in the United States. It was probably sold in Canada assuming anyone actually bought them at that point the sports car market was on life support.

 

 

other from some BMW design clues, overall shape looks more Japanese than German. It has these fluid lines that BMW's usually do not have. And yeah, it looks good.

 

Albeit almost looks like an abridged version of AMG GT, but I like it...still retains that Z4 profile with more refinement, dare I say.

 

z4 is a perfect chick's car.

 

^^^ i think in california you can get locked up for comments like that.

 

Seeing that Z4, I realize that I forget how tiny roadsters are. Makes it interesting that the 2+2 Supra and roadster Z4 are based on the same platform.

 

This is 2+2 ???

 

 

Thanks for the confirmation

@arentz07, visit your local optometrist