By Clive Funizwe

Zupra? A re-badged BMW Z4? Blah – blah – blah. There’s a gazillion memes and jokes online about this duo – and there’s no need for us to add to it. Our view of this duo is that the co-development of the Z4 and Supra has saved the manufacturers some serious cash on research and development so the consumer will get a product that offers very good value and we are grateful that in an economy of this climate (if you will excuse the pun), there are manufactures still making cars in a world where the SUV craze is progressively becoming worse… not that this is a bad thing.

So where should we start? How about what we know are the same – or should we say similar?

Engine: 3.0 litre six cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 250-ish kW and roughly 500Nm

Transmission: ZF-8 speed

Chassis: The same but tuned differently by each manufacturer

Infotainment: Z4 = Latest BMW Software, Supra = Previous gen software from BMW.

Interior: Z4 = All BMW, Supra = BMW bits here and there with the best bits from Toyota.

Phew… beyond this – there’s really nothing that is the same without borderline nit-picking.

Do they feel the same? Yes and No…

We cannot expect the cars to feel completely different and the general bias will always favour BMW because it is the more premium name here and that the heart beat is a BMW engine. You do not have to drive the two cars back to back to ascertain the difference. These genuinely feel like different cars and that is a good thing. It is also testament to the fact that each manufacturer has its own pedigree and philosophy to maintain. Let’s break it down a bit.

Exterior:

Looks will always be a subjective matter and both these cars look good. We do feel that the Supra is a lot more special in that its looks are more purposeful. The Z4 has loads of elements from its predecessor and has grown up substantially. The Supra turns more heads and has a far more unique exterior. And this could be the simple reason that one is coupe and the other a convertible. It’s nearly impossible to compare two cars which are fundamentally not in the same design architecture. 

Interior:

Both these cars exude similar quality – but the Z4 edges the Supra by a few degrees even when assessing the overall comfort on the seats. Ergonomic feel is great on both cars and we love the use of the accessibility of the boot from the front on both cars. At first, the cup-holder situation may look like an oversight – but the driver can use the cup-holders and arm rest at the same time. Storage space is better in the Supra by a few storage spaces and smart use of cabin space.

Ride Quality:

The Z4 has some voodoo happening in the cabin. It is a very quiet car especially when you consider that it’s a convertible – both when the top is down or up. We were impressed the most by two things when we drove top-down: The ventilation and the talking on the Bluetooth. Audibility off the caller was clear for either of people on the phone even at speeds of up to 120kms whilst on the phone. Ride quality is purposeful on any mode you select.

The Supra has an exceptional ride quality too. Undulations, road noise and wind noise are hardly intrusive into the cabin. Isolation from the outside is great.

The Drive:

This ultimately boils down to preference. What we consistently found is that the Supra is a lot more forgiving – which makes it the easier car to drive and drive fast. The way in which it is overall more communicative and progressive makes it more rewarding. The Z4 is razor sharp and needs fighter jet reflexes. We had to dial down the steering response to comfort to align it with our mortal skills. Things in the Supra are very much on the edge of fore-play and the real thing than down right raw. This is also not to say that the Z4 lacks refinement. Fact is, there’s plenty of sensibility in how it delivers its wares. But we feel more seasoned drivers will appreciate it’s more raw state when things are set to be on the edge of sporty.

These are genuinely accomplished cars fulfilling a much needed driver need for spirited driving. There’s plenty of pace and sensibility without a compromise in having fun. The last inch of decision making lies in what the potential buyer values in the different characters.

We would have loved to see a standard Motorplan in the Supra though.

Differences: Chassis,Tuning…