Now is a good time to be a fan of Japanese sports coupes as both the new Nissan Z and the Toyota Supra offer consumers great choices. This video pits models with six-cylinder engines and automatic transmissions against each other.
As a refresher, the new Z packs a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 horsepower (298 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 350 pound-feet (475 Newton meters) of torque from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm. The car has a nine-speed automatic, but Nissan also offers a six-speed manual. The example here is the Performance Grade with 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires.
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In comparison, the Supra has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that produces 382 hp (285 kW) from 5,800 to 6,500 rpm and 368 lb-ft (499 Nm) from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm. It has an eight-speed automatic, but Toyota now offers a six-speed manual as well. It rides on 19-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
The drag race starts with a ditch, and the host of the video is very unhappy with the Z’s Bridgestone tires. He struggles to keep the power down at launch without spinning the wheels. This gives Supra some easy wins.
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Things get more interesting when they run off the roll. The first is from 32 mph (52 km/h). Despite the Z having more power and an extra gear to work with, the Supra jumps out to a long lead and stays there.
After that, they replay the race in manual mode and in another gear. Change makes a big difference. Z takes the initial lead, and Supra returns the difference. The result is a finished image. We only see the result from one side of the cone, but it looks like the Nissan may have won by an inch or less.
The third roll race increases the starting speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) but still starts in second gear in manual mode. This time, Toyota wins clearly.
Finally, they run the race again, but this time the delivery of the cars is in automatic mode. Toyota grinds the Z to dust.
Judging by this video, the Toyota’s gearbox seems to be more responsive than the Z’s, at least when working as an automatic.
There is a rumor of a more powerful Supra possibly under consideration. It will reportedly carry the BMW S58 engine from the M3 and M4. In addition, the body will receive carbon fiber components.