Toyota GR Supra Sport Top: this is the Supra targa that Toyota has created for SEMA

Many people were delighted that the Toyota Supra was back, although some were less pleased that it came about through a collaboration with BMW. Nevertheless, the legendary Japanese sports car was back and eager to revive the legacy of its iconic fourth generation, which set the bar very high. And while the new Toyota GR Supra convinced many, it was missing one very charismatic element of its predecessor: the targa-style roof.

It is true that the Japanese manufacturer has yet to make any official announcement about producing a Supra targa, but it has built a concept to demonstrate that it is possible. Indeed, for this unusual SEMA 2020, Toyota has conceived what is known as the Toyota GR Supra Sport Top, the much-desired targa version of the sports car, though, it must be said, as a concept car.

It is in terms of styling that we find the main differences between this Sport Top and the production Toyota GR Supra, though not only because of the targa roof. The designers at the Japanese firm have taken the opportunity to include a body kit that directly evokes the fourth-generation Supra, made possible by a new front splitter, more aggressive side skirts, a more pronounced diffuser and, above all, a considerably sized rear spoiler. In addition, there is a dual central exhaust outlet and a new LED design for the rear lights.

But, logically, the highlight of this Toyota GR Supra Sport Top is its removable roof. The Japanese firm has used a 3D printer to design two roof panels that can be removed manually and stored in the boot thanks to specific anchor points and dimensions into which both pieces fit perfectly.

As far as mechanics are concerned, it continues to use the same 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine capable of producing 340 CV and 500 Nm of torque. The only apparent modification, aside from the one that gives it its targa status, is to the chassis, where Toyota engineers have applied certain structural reinforcements.

For now, the company has made no statement on this possible targa variant, but the Toyota GR Supra Sport Top is irrefutable proof that it is feasible. Given this, there is a high probability that the brand will end up mass-producing this variant of its Japanese sports car, just as the rumours have long suggested a manual version would be.