Page 178 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

The 5M-GE inline six-cylinder 2.8-liter engine is robust and reliable. The earlier versions produced 145 horsepower that increased to 160 horsepower for the 1984 model year.
Over the next three years, the Supra benefitted from incremental performance improvements, ultimately being measured at 161 horsepower and 169 lb ft of torque. Technological progress was rapid in this period and, among other things, 1983 and later automatic Supras received an electronically controlled transmission with a “power mode” that held gears to a higher rpm.
It’s worth noting that due to production delays with the next generation of Supra, many 1985 models were sold as 1986 model year vehicles until the A70 arrived in February of that year. So it’s entirely possible for the old body style to be legitimately titled in the same year as the new body.
Toyota Supra A70 (1986.5-1992)
When it arrived in the winter of 1986, the updated Supra had finally thrown off the Celica name, but the underlying platform was the same. It was the Celica that transitioned to a new front- wheel-drive chassis. The big news for the A70 Supra was the 3.0-liter engine that boasted four valves per cylinder and output of 200 horsepower and 196 lb ft of torque. The new Supra did the 0-60 dash in 8.2 seconds.
In addition to more engine power, this generation of Supra also graduated to a double-wishbone suspension on all four corners, further improving handling and control over the older MacPherson struts and trailing arms. On top of that, the new Supra offered Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS), which took the form of electronically adjustable shock absorbers. The system could be used in automatic mode or be controlled from the cockpit. Supra brakes continued to be four discs, but Toyota offered an anti-lock braking system to make the Supra one
176Wayne CariniAffordable Classics
TOP: The first examples of the Supra’s third generation appeared as 1986.5 models with naturally aspirated engines. Turbocharged examples arrived the following year.
ABOVE: An artist concept exhibits many of the styling cues that would appear when the vehicle entered production in 1986.