After a two-decade hiatus, we didn't expect the new Toyota Supra to change much after its first model year. Well, we were completely wrong as the 2021 Toyota Supra gets a slew of changes for the new model year, including a hot A91 special edition model and a four-cylinder engine option called the Supra 2.0. Toyota gave CarBuzz an early opportunity to drive the new 2021 Supra 2.0 and the updated Supra 3.0 since the first drive event was canceled due to the coronavirus situation.

All driving impressions and pricing information is still under strict embargo but we can still give you an in-depth tour of the car and talk about all of the unique features of the Supra 2.0. We even captured an exhaust clip, giving you a chance to listen to the first-ever four-cylinder Supra.

New Wheels

There is only one way to spot a Supra 2.0 versus a 3.0 model from the exterior - the wheels. Whereas the 3.0 model rides on two-tone 19-inch wheels or black wheels on the A91 Edition, the 2.0 model wears smaller 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires sized 255/40R18 in the front and 275/40R18 in the rear. We can't speak to how these wheels affect the ride and handling but we can say that they don't quite fill the arches as well as the 19-inchers do. In our opinion, most Supra 2.0 owners will turn to the aftermarket for wheels unless Toyota offers some interesting TRD or GR options from the factory.

The 2.0-Liter Turbo Engine

Obviously, the most significant change on the Supra 2.0 is under the hood, where the 3.0-liter turbocharged B58 inline-six BMW engine is replaced by a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged B48 inline-four motor. This smaller engine produces 255 horsepower from 5,000 to 6,5000 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque going out to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy has not been rated yet but Toyota estimates the Supra 2.0 will hit 60 mph in five seconds flat. For comparison, the updated 3.0 engine produces 382 hp and can rocket the car to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.

A Back-To-Basics Interior

Toyota wanted the Supra 2.0 to act as a bridge between the cheaper 86 and the more powerful Supra 3.0. To help bring down the cost, the Supra 2.0 has manually adjustable seats, though the lumbar support and side bolsters are adjusted electronically. The seats themselves are finished in partial Alcantara, like the base Supra 3.0, and feature sporty red and white stitching. If you enjoy heated seats, you will find that those buttons are blanked out on the Supra 2.0. Unless you opt for the Safety and Technology package, the Supra 2.0 has a basic four-speaker audio system though a 12-speaker JBL package is also available.

A Significant Drop In Weight

By removing the heavy electric heated seats and the fancy audio system, Toyota had managed to make the Supra 2.0 significantly lighter than the Supra 3.0. It has also ditched the 3.0's adaptive suspension, larger front brake rotors, and active rear differential, shaving off more than 200 pounds total in the process. Toyota says the Supra 2.0 weighs in at 3,181 pounds compared to the 3.0 at 3,400 pounds.