Toyota's Epic GR Supra Sport Top To Make Public Debut At SEMA

Nov. 01, 2021 12:15 PM ET bySebastian Cenizo SEMA 2021 /6 Comments

我t's taken a year for us to see it in the metal.

About a year ago, Toyota teased us with an all-newGR Supraconcept called theSport Top. Channeling the spirit of the A80, or Mk.4 generation, the concept featured a targa top that fans ofThe Fast & The Furiouscan't help but love. A month later, we gotan update on the buildthanks to a video showing the roof of the sports car being cut away. Just a couple of weeks later, the Japanese giantreleased images of the finished product, revealing its creation to the world. However, the car had only been seen online in the year since its reveal as it was displayed at the online-only SEMA360 event last year. That has finally changed thanks to Toyota's in-the-metal reveal at the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place this week from 2-5 November.

As you may remember, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Supra Sport Top to be revealed online in support of SEMA, since it was not viable for a show to take place. Although Toyota could have tried something different, the Japanese brand felt that the one-off Supra deserved a proper in-the-metal reveal. And although a year old, the targa-topped sports car still looks spectacular. It will be supported by theGR Supra Heritage Edition, a 500-horsepower retro concept revealed at SEMA 2019. The two will form part of Toyota's exhibit in Central Hall at booth 24800, marking the first time that the two are on display together.

"We are very excited to finally get a chance to show off both of these incredibly cool GR Supra builds at the SEMA Show," says Toyota Division Marketing VP Lisa Materazzo. "The team did some spectacular customization and fabrication work to pay tribute to Supras that came before, and we're finally going to show together so SEMA fans can see them up close and personal." Those involved with the build say that it was "way more complicated" than they originally thought, but the result is stunning while still retaining a high level of rigidity. The new roof features two composite panels 3D printed by Toyota's R&D facility in Michigan and has been reinforced through its outer body structures, while added reinforcement exists from under the engine bay to the back of the tub.

Toyota is among a long list of manufacturersset to make a big splashin Vegas this year. We just hope that SEMA 2022 is just as good.