In 1989, Toyota’s engineers began to draw up plans for a new generation of Supra. The replacement for the “A70”-generation car was designated “A80” and would be the fourth generation of the desirable Japanese coupé, which over time had accrued a reputation as a legend of the Japanese domestic market (JDM) scene. The newer car placed much greater emphasis on performance, and could be specified with the all-new naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine, or the top-of-the-range twin turbocharged 2JZ-GTE unit. Liberal use of aluminium throughout the A80 resulted in a kerb weight that was 91 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

Sharing its drivetrain with the upscale Toyota Soarer, the A80 Supra entered production in 1993. With its sequentially powered turbos, the 2JZ-GTE engine produced 276 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque. Twin turbocharged models had a top speed of 155 mph and could reach 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, as well as benefitting from a six-speed Getrag manual transmission exclusive to the blown variant.

Twin-turbocharged cars could be specified in either “RZ” or “RZ-S” trim, the latter as a pared-back and more accessible version that did without the 17-inch alloy wheels, carbon fibre steering wheel, four-piston brake callipers, high-level spoiler, limited slip differential, and Recaro seats that were standard on the more expensive car. Declining sales and increasingly strict emissions standards by the late-1990s eventually led to the withdrawal of the turbocharged Supra from sale in international markets, though uptake in Japan continued until late 2002.

This Supra RZ-S was built in the final months of production, leaving the factory in July 2002 finished in Super White over a black interior with fabric sports seats. A desirable Japanese-market model, it was equipped with a 2JZ-GTE twin-turbocharged engine with a six-speed Getrag gearbox, and was specified with four-pot brake callipers and 17-inch alloy wheels. According to a Japanese vehicle report, this Supra RZ-S was inspected in 2015 and November 2017, and was bought at auction in Japan by the consigning owner in October 2018. The Supra was then exported to Hong Kong.

This final-year Supra RZ-S displays just 8,293 kilometres at the time of cataloguing and presents in largely unmodified form, just as Toyota intended. It is accompanied by a jack, space-saver spare wheel, Toyota Maintenance Note book, and wheel brace. Please note, having been stored for several years, this vehicle will require servicing prior to road use. Please contact an RM Sotheby’s representative for further information. A touchstone of the JDM scene, and a performance icon for a generation, this 2002 Supra RZ-S presents an unmissable opportunity to acquire one of Toyota’s most celebrated high-performance cars.