5 Aesthetic Mods That Enhance The Latest Toyota Supra
27 JUN 2023 - Jeff Willis
The MKV Supra has been one of the most controversial modern sports cars since its debut in 2020. The previous model known as the hero MKIV had the legendary 2JZ engine that could absorb copious amounts of horsepower out of a small 183 cubic-inch in-line 6 with a preposterous turbo. Because of these reasons, the bar for the MKV had been set at unreachable levels, and Toyota upset the masses by handing the football over to BMW. A few years later the MK5 is better perceived, more accepted, and the aftermarket is having a really good time with it. Especially with the overall aesthetics of the vehicle with it's unique design. With that being said, here are ways where new MK5 enthusiasts can customize and change the overall theme of their new Supra.
In racing, the lighter you are the faster you go. The grandfathers of professional race teams whether if they had engine limitations in their class, or if they wanted to maximize the performance of the rest of their race cars had to find other ways to make it to the podium. Without effecting the structural rigidity of their race cars, they had to find ways to save weight while maintaining strength. Fiberglass was always the go-to simply because it is easy to shape during the production process, it is relatively light, and simple to repair if any damage occurs. The problem with fiberglass is that depending on the build quality, or thickness, it cannot really sustain harsh racing conditions. Watching a Group B rally car piloted by Michele Mouton flying 140 MPH through jumps and dirt would destroy fiberglass quickly. However, if you have a show car or a daily driver you will be just fine. The plausible solution at the time was Kevlar and carbon fiber. Unlike fiberglass, carbon fiber was much stronger, at times lighter, but also produced a unique exotic look that was commonplace on most race cars and craved by racing enthusiasts.
One of the easiest carbon fiber modifications you can perform on your A90 Supra is the hood. Now this is a large body panel that exposes that aggressive carbon fiber look. Additionally, you have different options in terms of design that combine form and function, that promote more engine cooling with additional vents. Finally, carbon fiber hoods go well with any factory or aftermarket color finish on your Supra and provides that overall race-inspired theme.
2. Wheels:
Wheels really can change the overall visual dynamic of your MK5 Supra. Additionally, wheels can enhance the overall performance of your vehicle with a wider size to accommodate wider tires. Because of these emphatic reasons, wheels are arguably one of the most coveted exterior upgrades enthusiasts love to initially perform on their vehicle. With the A90 Supra coming straight out of the gate with a fairly wide factory tire size, this means aftermarket wheel options will be plentiful. The new Toyota Supra also has a unique 5x112 bolt pattern, many of the heavy hitters such as Advan Racing, Volk, and Titan Wheels have invested the research and development to provide you with great options.
Why do wheels make such a large impact? There are many different designs and colors available that attribute to your MK5’s overall theme. Wheels alone can set your car apart from the rest when surrounded by others at your Saturday morning cars and coffee. Your suspension also plays a major role as lowering springs or coilovers complement your wheels. With racing, wheels are certainly vulnerable to a lot of damage due to chipping. You have the rate of speed, combined with the heat from the brakes, and the rod impediments such as rocks, pebbles, and tire chunks that can blast your wheels especially when next to other drivers. This is why race cars opt for a forged wheel. The forging process that wheels endure such as the timeless Volk TE-37 is very arduous. The main purpose is to add as much strength as possible without adding more weight and rotational mass. Less rotational mass means more speed and performance response.
Size is also highly crucial. Yes, with a wider wheel you can put a wider tire that can increase the overall traction because you have a larger footprint. Trends aside, it is a good rule of thumb to fit the most aggressive wheel and tire size within the confines of your fenders on the MK5 Supra. Meaning you want to avoid rolling or trimming fenders if/at all possible especially in the hands of the inexperienced. Keyword inexperienced. And before you shake the fist of rage, in some situations it is totally okay to roll or trim your fenders to accommodate a wider wheel. Even though the MK5 Supra is somewhat “attainable” in terms of getting the most bang for your buck in performance, you don’t want to risk damaging your fenders and your new car because of an overly wide wheel or an offset that is too aggressive. Rolling fenders without properly heating the paint can risk cracking your paint on the fenders. Then overheating the paint will obviously burn the paint. And if you trim the fenders too much you compromise the overall fender integrity. And rubbing your tires until they burst is also a major safety risk. Do your due diligence and get yourself a set of wheels with an appropriate tire size that will tuck under the fenders of your Supra and enjoy the road and the track with peace of mind.
The interior of the latest MK5 Supra is highly susceptible to interior upgrades. Mainly carbon fiber. One of the biggest complaints of the MK5 is that it was too much BMW. From the shifter to the steering wheel, to the infotainment buttons. This is where FTSpeed shines the batman signal simply because we have so many options. You can keep things simple and add a pair of carbon fiber shifter paddles to make your overall driving experience more enjoyable by making shifting in the MK5 even easier. Or one item that really enhances the interior and driving experience is a nice steering wheel with a thick Alcantara and carbon grip with the red stripe down the middle. This gives GT3 vibes and the majority of these options will come in the D-shape to be tall-friendly for more leg clearance, and it provides better grip and control during high-performance driving conditions.
Now it’s not all about fancy carbon and the MK5 is a fast vehicle. This means you need to stay as focused as possible while driving. We have items that will hold and support your mobile electronic device so you can use your phone or GPS safely on road trips or your commute to work. Find the right option or accessory that best suits the overall theme in the interior of your Supra.
4. Vinyl:
For your MK5 Supra or any vehicle for that matter, Vinyl enhancements are typically simple, affordable, and are easily reversible if you decide that the look is not for you. Additionally, if you do like the look, stickers and vinyl additions are easily replaceable. Just always make sure that you have a clean surface free of dirt and grease before applying it to the surface of your paint, or glass.
From windshield banners, light overlays, or car-related stickers, both stickers and vinyls also make for an excellent gift for your car or for the car enthusiast in your life for any occasion. Perhaps you have a BRZ. FR-S, or a prior generation 86 model as a daily driver and are lucky enough to own a MK5 Supra as the date car, vinyls are simple, fun, and won’t hurt your bank account.
5. Body Kit:
Race cars have that presence as if they are traveling at the speed of light standing still. You have a hard time looking away whether you’re a fan of racing or not. And it is mainly because they are slammed to the ground. Not exactly made to endure potholes though the streets of Chicago, but to stay planted as much as possible when actually traveling at high rate of speeds during competition.
What keeps these cars planted on the ground? It is the body components that increase the overall level of downforce. Where there is a strong marriage of function and form that is the result of arduous research, wind tunnel testing, and track data to maximize the overall downforce. Don’t laugh at the guy that has the giant wing on the back of his Toyota Camary, perhaps he just doesn’t have a thousand horsepower yet. Kidding aside, the same technology and components drastically enhance the aerodynamic refinement on your MKV supra. Now the front nose on the MK5 Supra can be hard to digest as it is a microwaved version of what many of us expected from the FT-1 concept. BUT, a proper front lip is a game changer. When a proper carbon fiber front wind splitter is combined with carbon side skirts and a rear diffuser, you have quite the recipe for greatness. You will have that reduced wind drag and increased downforce for the track, or you’ll be driving a race car at the next car meet.
As we can see, the aftermarket certainly puts the MK5 Supra in a different light. Some of you will love the A90 even more. Some of you might start adding the MK5 into the cross-shopping list of cars in the same price and class. And some of you might not hate this car as much. At the end of the day newer technology is daily-driver friendly, and the B58 is proving to be a platform that can endure a lot of power. Not nearly as simplistic as the 2JZ, but it does like modifications.
Because of the BMW DNA, it makes the MK5 highly versatile for those of you who want to go in a straight line, or for those of you who like to attack corners at your local racetrack. The weight balance works well with the eyebrow raising short wheelbase. As the previous MKIV generation soars into unobtanium status, the MK5 is not a bad option after all. With the amount of aftermarket support that will customize the interior and exterior, we hope to see what you can come up with while on the road in your MK5.