BMW Z4 M40i v Toyota GR Supra
Compared to its ‘relative’, how does the new Supra perform?
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you would know that Toyota’s new Supra shares its underpinnings, and powertrain with the latest generation BMW Z4. While the Z4 debuted locally some months ago, petrol heads around the country are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the GR Supra which hits Msanzi next week.
Much like the Z4, the Supra rides on BMW’s lightweight CLAR platform, and boasts a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. And while both sports cars compete in the same segment, the biggest visual difference is that the Supra is a coupe, whereas the Z4 features a retractable roof.
But under the hood, it’s largely the same. Both feature a twin-scroll turbocharged straight-six that displaces 3.0-litres, and goes by the name of the ‘B58’. Both sports cars also are rear-wheel drive and feature the same eight-speed automatic transmission too.
In other markets, the Z4 M40i packs 285kw, but in South African-guise it matches the Supra’s outputs of 250kw and 500nm. However, it should be noted that while both produce identical amounts of power, the motor in the Supra has been tuned specifically for that application.
How will they compare when they are unleashed on a test strip? The UK’s Carwow finds out.
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FAQ
Q: What's the difference between the BMW Z4 M40i and Toyota GR Supra?
The main difference is body style: the Z4 is a convertible with a retractable roof while the GR Supra is a fixed-roof coupe. Both share the same BMW CLAR platform, 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine producing 250kW and 500Nm in South Africa, eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive setup with perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Q: Which is faster, the BMW Z4 M40i or Toyota GR Supra?
Performance is virtually identical since both cars use the same BMW B58 3.0-litre turbo engine producing 250kW and 500Nm, the same eight-speed auto gearbox, and similar weight distribution. The Supra's engine has been specifically tuned for Toyota's application, but real-world performance differences are minimal.
Q: How much does the Toyota GR Supra cost in South Africa?
The Toyota GR Supra launched in South Africa with pricing starting around R900,000 for the 3.0-litre turbocharged model, positioning it as a premium sports car competitor to the BMW Z4 M40i.
Q: Is the Toyota GR Supra worth buying over the BMW Z4?
The GR Supra is worth buying if you prefer a fixed-roof coupe design and Toyota's reliability reputation, while offering nearly identical performance to the Z4 M40i. Choose the Supra for a more focused driving experience or the Z4 if you want open-top motoring.
Should You Buy It?
The Toyota GR Supra is absolutely worth buying if you're after a proper sports car under R1,000,000 in South Africa. With 250kW from its BMW-sourced straight-six, razor-sharp handling thanks to the CLAR platform, and that legendary Supra badge, it delivers genuine thrills that few cars can match at this price point. While it shares DNA with the BMW Z4 M40i, the Supra's coupe body offers better structural rigidity and a more focused driving experience. At around R900,000, it's the best Japanese sports car money can buy locally, combining BMW engineering excellence with Toyota reliability and that unmistakable Supra heritage.
FAQ
Q: Which is faster, the BMW Z4 M40i or Toyota GR Supra?
Both cars produce identical power figures of 250kW and 500Nm in South Africa and share the same BMW B58 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, so performance should be nearly identical. However, the GR Supra's fixed roof design may give it a slight aerodynamic advantage over the convertible Z4, though real-world differences would be marginal.
Q: What does the Toyota GR Supra cost compared to the BMW Z4 M40i in South Africa?
The Toyota GR Supra typically costs around R1,099,900 while the BMW Z4 M40i is priced from approximately R1,230,000, making the Supra roughly R130,000 cheaper despite sharing the same mechanical components.
Q: Is the Toyota GR Supra just a rebadged BMW Z4?
While both cars share BMW's CLAR platform, the B58 engine, and transmission, Toyota has tuned the Supra's engine specifically for that application and designed completely different bodywork as a fixed-roof coupe. The suspension tuning and driving characteristics have also been developed separately by each manufacturer.
Q: Which has better build quality, the BMW Z4 or Toyota GR Supra?
Both cars are built in the same Austrian facility by Magna Steyr using identical BMW underpinnings, so build quality should be virtually the same. However, Toyota's reputation for long-term reliability may give buyers more confidence in the GR Supra's durability over time.
Should You Buy It?
If you're after a proper sports car under R1,200,000 in South Africa, the Toyota GR Supra is the smarter buy. At R1,099,900, you get the same BMW straight-six engine and platform as the Z4 M40i but save over R130,000 and gain Toyota's legendary reliability reputation. The fixed roof also means better structural rigidity and aerodynamics compared to the convertible Z4. Unless you absolutely must have that drop-top experience, the GR Supra delivers identical performance for significantly less money, making it the best sports car value under R1,200,000 in Mzansi right now.
