Isao Tsuzuki

ToyotaDevelopment lead

Chief engineer who led development of the Supra (A80), aiming for a pure sports car like a Ferrari or a Porsche

Timeline

1975
Toyota Motor Corporation
Product Planning Office
Toyota Motor Corporation Product Planning Office
1993
Supra 4th generation
1993–2002Development lead
100 kg without expensive materials
The Supra (A80) was about 100 kg lighter than the previous A70, achieved not by relying on expensive materials such as titanium, but by thoroughly reviewing parts and components. That work took a year. Believing that building it with basic mechanisms, apart from safety measures, would increase lightness and the direct connection between driver and car, he had three top-level drivers verify its performance.
A big rear spoiler you can see past
With the sports car's looks, Tsuzuki wanted it to catch the eye even from a distance. The large rear spoiler originally came out of wind tunnel testing aimed at Europe, where 300 km/h was demanded. They found that making it smaller would block rear visibility, so it ended up large. That also left a strong visual impression.

Isao Tsuzuki

Tetsuya Tada
Subordinate
Tada's first assignment was the Raum, and his boss in the department he was assigned to was Tsuzuki, who had made the Supra. When Tada said he wanted to build a sports car, Tsuzuki told him, "You're a hundred years too early to be building a sports car."
Toshihiro Okada
Superior
As CE, Okada was in charge of both the Soarer and the Supra, and the Supra was handled by assistant chief engineer Tsuzuki, who supported the CE.

He led development of the Supra (A80) as chief engineer.

Translated from Japanese sources.