New Toyota Supra fails “moose test”
August 4, 2020In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for automakers to pass the road stability test. However, it is very unexpected to see poor results in a supposedly sporty model.
Let us remind you that the “moose test” is a test of stability of cars during extreme maneuvers. The test checks how the car behaves when suddenly avoiding a sudden obstacle. In Sweden, where they first came up with such a test for cars, this test is called the “bypass maneuver test” (Undanmanöverprov). The test gained worldwide fame and an informal name in 1997, when a correspondent for one of the Swedish car magazines turned over a Mercedes-Benz A-Class, while the Trabant passed the test remarkably. To the question “For what?” the reporter replied to the newspaper: “to check how the car avoids the moose.” As a result, the German automaker had to rework a large batch of cars, losing $ 250 million, and the next year the car lived up to its brand. A plush moose was included with each car as a token of apology.
Experts concluded that the new Toyota Supra was tested at speeds up to 77 km / h. However, the tester driver noted that the Toyota Supra requires some dexterity to pass the test. The variable ratio power steering makes it difficult to type in the right amount of input. A person should know how this technology affects the car’s handling.
At the same time, at a speed of 77 km / h, the car could not cope with the test. It also failed the test at higher speeds. As the speeds increased, the tires lost more grip, so there were fewer cones on the road.
The Supra was tested with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline engine. We’d be interested to see how the coupe performs with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Although the engine power is less, this version weighs about 91 kg less than the six-cylinder model.
