With its distinctive looks and purposeful exhaust sound, the Toyota GR Supra is a real head-turner.

And things are just as impressive on the inside as they appear from the outside, with the driver treated to a blend of power, agility and precision handling.

The Supra, manufactured in Graz, Austria, is the fifth generation of Toyota’s legendary sports car and the first global GR model from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

After a gap of nearly two decades since the fourth generation model, Toyota brought the current version to showrooms in September 2019, offering the car with a 3.0-litre engine producing 335bhp and 500Nm of torque.

Now, the UK range has been extended to include a new 2.0-litre version, tested here, in a bid to widen the car’s market appeal.

The car is equipped with an in-line four-cylinder turbo power plant.

While there are those who think a 3.0-litre unit is more suited to the sports car billing, I found the smaller unit still packed a decent punch in terms of acceleration and noise.

A further advantage comes from the fact the vehicle is lighter and more compact than its 3.0-litre counterpart, thereby improving the car’s inertia

characteristics and chassis balance for even sharper handling. Its balance and grip through the corners were something to behold on twisty roads around the Holme Moss area of Kirklees.

It's at these moments that you appreciate the benefits of the large-diameter tyres, short wheelbase and wide stance on the road.

The rear wheel drive set-up adds to the sporty vibe and makes the driving experience more engaging and enjoyable, with the back end hinting that it might step out when cornering briskly.

Purists may question the decision to put automatic transmission in a car of this type, but the eight-speed auto box still delivers smooth and responsive acceleration, while large amounts of torque are available across the full

spectrum of engine speeds.

The confidence-inspiring handling is helped by the fact the 2.0-litre version’s shorter engine length means its mass is located closer to the centre of the car, supporting an ideal front/rear balance. Although power is less – at 254bhp – the engine’s performance is rewarding, supported by a muscular 400Nm of torque available.

While the car’s underpinnings may have German influences - having much in common with the BMW Z4 - there’s no doubt that its appearance is Japanese in nature.

The vehicle is dynamic in its appearance, with some of its curvaceous lines catching the eye.

The influence of the 2000GT is in evidence in the long bonnet, compact body and double-bubble roof.

Meanwhile, the muscular rear wings and the arc of the integrated spoiler are a shout out to the distinctive look of the fourth generation Supra.

Once inside the Supra, the driver really feels at the centre of things, with a cockpit that’s well laid-out, clean and simple.

The taut, two-seat cabin sees the driver positioned in low-slung seats that go back far enough for a six-footer to be comfortable on a long journey.

Again, some of the functions and buttons are borrowed from BMW, but that’s no bad thing. Nice materials and padded panels typify the upmarket feel to the cabin.

The large entertainment screen with built-in satnav is a neat piece of kit, while the digital driver’s display puts key information right under your nose.

With the 2.0-litre version priced from £45,995 - a saving of around £7,000 over the 3.0-litre car - it's certainly an option worth considering.

In conclusion, the Supra ticks many boxes in terms of its emotional appeal thanks to attractive looks and its 'fun-to-drive' personality.

The lowdown

Toyota GR Supra 2.0 Pro

PRICE: £45,995 on the road

ENGINE: 2-litre in-line 4-cylinder with single twin-scroll turbo

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and top speed of 155mph (electronically limited)

FUEL ECONOMY: 38.7mpg combined

EMISSIONS: 167g/km

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed Sports Automatic 8HP 51