SUPERCARS GEN3 SCOPE FOR SUPRA

Supercars Gen3 scope for Supra – Illustration: Tim Pattinson Design

As Supercars’ Gen3 future takes shape, a key accommodation for compact two-door sports cars has emerged.

By MARK FOGARTY

While a standard wheelbase has been decreed, Auto Action has learned the measurement is flexible.

Although fixed at a shorter 2765 mm to suit the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, Gen3 will allow for adapting body shapes with a shorter wheelbase.

The prime variant would be the Toyota Supra, which Supercars is desperately trying to accommodate.

It sees allowing the compact, GT-style Supra as finally attracting Australian car market leader Toyota’s involvement.

Supercars has been trying to get Toyota Australia to enter for the best part of 20 years and the Supra is the best shot if Gen3 allows its short-wheelbase road car dimensions to be adapted to V8 racing. Gen3 is becoming clearer following recent drip-feed revelations by Supercars.

It has been confirmed that the plan is to reduce the roll cage height by 100 mm, thus better accommodating the shapes of the Mustang and Camaro.

Tender documents have also set the specifications for control brakes, wheels and fly-by-wire throttle.

Key car measurements were also revealed:

• Weight increases to 1400 kg, including driver and fuel
• Weight distribution: 51/49.
• CoG: 470mm
• Wheelbase: 2765mm
• Track: 2000 mm (outside of tyre)
• Aerodynamics: 300N front, 600N rear @ 200km/h maximum
• CdA: 1.15 (approx)
• Engine: Approximately 600 bhp, rear wheel drive
• Tyre: 280/680R18

Some explanation:

N is a measure of force, expressed as one kilogram per metre per second squared.

Hard to tell how it equates to current downforce limit of around 300 kg overall and Gen3 mandate to radically reduce aero influence. Also, CdA is a measure of the frontal area air drag, although there is no nominated baseline reference.

Gen3 compares with the current Gen2 main measurements as follows:

• WB: 2822mm
• Track: 1930mm/1905mm
• Weight: 1395kg with driver

Gen3’s 2765 mm wheelbase is in the middle of the range of current and future possible donor road cars:

• VE/VF Commodore: 2915 mm
• ZB Commodore: 2829 mm
• Mustang: 2720 mm
• Camaro: 2811 mm
• Supra: 2470 mm

Although aligned with mainstream two-door coupes, insiders reveal there will be flexibility in the wheelbase to allow ‘shorties’ like the Supra, while maintaining visual proportions.

“The plan is that the chassis will have ability to have a variable wheelbase, but unless another manufacturer enters, come 2022 and its Mustang and Camaro, the wheelbases will align,” a high- placed source said.

“In the event that Supra comes in, there would be the capacity to allow a reduced wheelbase.

“The ability to have a chassis with a variable wheelbase is not difficult. So from a technical point perspective, it was quite simple to say ‘Well, look, let’s keep that in there’ – but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll utilise it.”

Supercars is also hoping to attract the BMW M4 coupe, but the Supra remains the main target.

“Supra is just the obvious one that comes to mind,” an insider said. “From an engineering standpoint, it doesn’t cost a lot.” Supercars is still negotiating with GM for approval to race the Camaro shape. The Camaro is important to keep the Ford vs GM rivalry alive following the death of the Holden brand.

But it is no longer being sold here as a right-hand drive conversion and the pony car’s future is in doubt.

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