OLM Releases The Legacy Taillights For The MK5 Supra
29 FEB 2024 - Jeff Willis
The A90 MKV Supra has been a controversial vehicle. Now the said controversy is waning, but ever since 2013 when Toyota started releasing concept photos of the FT-1, it depicted a very wide, low to the ground shape with wide hip-hugging rear arches, along with a front nose that had a hint of semblance to the Ferrari Enzo. Giant air ducts in the rear fenders, with an automatic rear spoiler controlled by hydraulic shocks.
This concept really heightened the interest of MKIV Supra owners because still to this day, the 93-98 Supra is untoppable in terms of Toyota making an organic replacement that surpasses the 30+ year-old technology of the legendary 2JZ-GTE inline-6 twin turbo engine. To achieve this Everest, Toyota would have to invest who knows how many millions of dollars and time to develop a modern 2JZ platform with would be universally emissions compliant. Now it could have been performed, but this would have put the new FT-1 into deep 6-figure costs. As time passed, years actually, we started getting hints by seeing a concept car in random places throughout the world, and it didn’t really have the profile of an FT-1.
ewwwwww. botha what's that brotha ewwwwwww
The spy car left automotive journalists very confused because this spy car was compact looking when compared to the FT-1. By this time, the FT-1 was available in a full-scale size as it made appearances on Jay Leno’s Garage, and another example made it to the Supras Invade Vegas event held every October to celebrate the Toyota Supra of all generations. It was exotic-looking, and most Supra owners and automotive enthusiasts alike were expecting a R-35 GT-R contender. But when one of Toyota’s chief engineers Tetsuya Tada revealed that there would be a collaboration with BMW to develop the A90 Supra, blood pressures rose.
BMW, known as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” is a symbol of automotive prestige. The vehicle that the business executive from the 80’s and 90’s drove. A status symbol like a Rolex watch that you can drive, parading your wealth while waiting at a green light next to a mini van stuffed with children. If you owned a BMW, you were somebody. And for many of us who wanted something fun, we bought a used BMW at some point in life. And lessons were learned after getting that first of many repair bills. The Supra was always an afterthought for the brand Toyota. When you think of Toyota, many will think of the sandstone beige Camry in every neighborhood. Or the infamous 4-Runner that every dad drove the kids to school in while having a proper outdoor vehicle. In 1994 when the MKIV Supra was fresh, it was clearly overlooked and aesthetically very out of place especially when viewed in Road and Track’s Aprill 1994 issue where they tested the MKIV against the Lotus Esprit, Ferrari 512TR, Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6, Mazda RX-7, Acura NSX, Shelby Cobra, Dodge Viper, and finally the Corvette ZR-1. In the 90s the low and wide profiles of exotics paired with very sharp and flat angles stole your attention every time.
The MKIV Supra was very out of place as it looked like a jellybean with a hoop bolted onto the back. Meanwhile in Japan, companies such as the highly esteemed HKS were astonished by the limits of the 2JZ-GTE, and how it responded so well to minor upgrades. You see, in the 90’s anything near 400 HP range was exotic territory. In 1992 when Dodge released their Viper, it was a nod to American muscle with a giant middle finger to European exotics with an unapologetic V-10 engine producing 400 HP. The fact that companies such as HKS, Greddy, and Rod Millen Motorsports discovered that they were pumping these numbers out of an inline-6 was insanity.
The Fast and The Furious often gets accredited for the popularity of the MKIV Supra, but Toyota Racing Development, HKS, Greddy, as well as drag racers participating in IDRC (International Drag Racing Circuit), NOPI, and several publications such as Turbo Magazine and Sport Compact Car were making the MKIV Supra a highlight or chapter in every monthly release. To exist in the late 90’s and early 2000s the tuner scene made large waves with the MKIV Supra. Privateer racers such as Vinny Ten, Christian Rado, and Rhys Millen were making 800+ wheel horsepower on the factory short block through fabricated single turbo conversions, along with dinosaur technology before standalone engine management systems, wideband O2 gauges, and larger injectors were available. The 2JZ was overengineered, and equally robust as it withstood big power, especially for the time surpassing levels of high-end exotics.
BMW VS TOYOTA – BUY WHY?
For many enthusiasts, our curiosity found us purchasing a pre-owned BMW. And why not, they do drive well, aesthetically in terms of paint and interior ergonomics the comfort is hard to beat. As long as it’s working. Keyword, working. Toyotas built in the 90’s to mid-2000’s are easily some of the most reliable vehicles on the planet. And really, it’s the simplicity of the design that works. Toyotas are held together by metric nuts and bolts, and they are not overly complicated. More importantly, their components are built to last. The valve covers are made of aluminum, water pumps are made of aluminum. The majority of older Toyotas have belt-operated fan clutches. And replacement parts are not hard to source. BMW on the other hand, are lovers of plastic. Plastic coolant components relying on a clip to fasten coolant hoses that can separate during high pressure. A myriad of electrical problems causing the electric fans not to operate causing overheating issues. Sensors for everything that cause all the dash lights to come on. SRS lights, ABS lights, leaking oil because the valve covers are plastic. Intake manifolds are plastic. And when purchasing a used BMW, if you are not spending a good amount of money buying a pre-owed vehicle from a meticulous owner, you are inheriting someone else’s nightmare. The main difference between a BMW and a Toyota, is that Toyota can sustain the average person’s neglect. The busy mother who takes the kids to school every morning, or a traveling salesman who puts a thousand miles a week on their Camry and skips an oil change. Or the Landcruiser owner who has 400k miles on the original set of spark plugs. BMW ‘s that remain the road are either new, or their owners stay on top of maintenance and repairs.
When Toyota had announced that they were collaborating with BMW to build the engine, Toyota owners had a reason to remain disappointed, skeptical, with outbursts into the wind. When the final skin was revealed with the A90, it looked like a microwaved version of the FT-1, and the majority of enthusiasts were mad as Toyota had a lot of damage control to fight off, with marketing campaigns turned all the way up. Tetsuya Tada aka Tada San had to stand in the middle of the ballfield taking all the thrown proverbial tomatoes and beer bottles as this was the end result of a 22-year wait since the last Supra for the US market rolled off the assembly line in 1998.
RAGE AGAINST THE B58 MACHINE
The 2JZ-GTE not only known for the 4-figure horsepower capable numbers, but it was also simply a beautiful engine to look at. Typically, when looking at a 2JZ, you get greeted by a set of cam gears, a giant turbo, with a nice aftermarket intake manifold wrapped up in a nice package. The B58 looks all too complicated. No exposed components. The cam gears and timing chain face the firewall, with a mess of wires and what appear to be cables to the untrained eye. And vacuum lines running across the engine. And there are cooling fans on the intake? Where is the intercooler?
Behind the scenes of all the said rage, BMW owners with the B58 platform in their 340i’s, and M240i’s, as well as the aftermarket were rushing to make go-fast parts for this engine because it was soon discovered that, sheesh these cars are fast.
The B58 was quickly gaining attention by making single-digit passes at the dragstrip, while getting an edge at sanctioned roll-race and standing mile events. Like the 2JZ, it turns out that the B58 responds well to basic performance upgrades, as well as bigger turbo replacements.
ACCEPTANCE
BMW’s reliability issues aside, the B58 has proven to be a very fast platform. But shifting on to the overall aesthetics of the A90 Supra, this is a platform where aftermarket exterior upgrades, combined with a good set of coilovers and wheels can really change the entire dynamic of the MKV. OLM has been working relentlessly to create carbon fiber exterior enhancements such as carbon fiber side skirts, front lips, trunk spoilers, rear valences and lip pieces, mirrors, and several interior upgrades to make the A90 look and feel like an exotic.
The OLM Legacy Taillights pays homage to the previous generation Supra. One of the more unique features about the MKIV was the taillight design. Super 90’s vibes, but unlike anything else at the time, and a design that became timeless as the car enters classic and legendary status. OLM takes a more futuristic approach with the Legacy Taillights with (5) distinct LED circles that begin with a small circle, then gradually become larger when they make their way towards the end of the taillight housing.
When approaching the A90 from the rear with the Legacy Taillights, it has almost a UFO-like presence as enthusiasts will be confused as to what car this is until they see the unmistakable rear trunk profile and hip arches of the A90. Built with the latest in LED technology, these have a bright red braking function, parking light function, with a bright white light for reverse, along with a bright amber sequentials when using the signals.
FEATURES:
- Strong lens construction
- The lens will have a light smoke tint
- Designed with (5) LED circles that provide a bespoke look
- Designed with e sequential, amber-LED turn signal function
- Integrated reverse light
- Direct bolt-on installation
- Sold as a Set
CONCLUSION?
In the early 90’s when the MKIV Supra entered the markets, it wasn’t the most popular choice among the Nissan 300Z, the Acura NSX, and the FD RX-7, but after a few years, the popularity grew and the MKIV Supra is now one of the most coveted Japanese sports cars ever produced. And just like the MKIV, the MKV got off to a rocky start. However, the aftermarket was quick to develop go-fast modifications, it makes impressive numbers on the dyno, and it makes impressive numbers at the drag strip. OLM is doing the A90 community a great service by investing their time and resources by creating innovative products for the A90 to make it stand outside of the shadow of the MKIV. Will it be as legendary? Time will sell.
CLICK HERE FOR THE OLM LEGACY TAILLIGHTS FOR THE A90 SUPRA
