Toyota’s sportscar for the 21st century, the GT86, has spawned a second generation model. The Toyota GR86 made its world premier today. This is the third car to wear the GR (for Gazoo Racing) badge after the GR Supra and GR Yaris. Good news for Toyota fans is that the GR86 will be heading to SA in 2022.
We have always thought that the GT86 would be the ideal basis for a (rear-wheel-drive) one-make series here in South Africa. Despite multiple impassioned discussions with Toyota SA management they did not agree with our sentiments. Perhaps it’s time to reopen that conversation with the arrival of the GR86… hmmmmm…
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Co-developed
Toyota, once again, joined forces with Subaru (that company which once made performance cars for the world) to develop the small sportscar. In Subaru guise it is called the BRZ, as it was before. These two cars have near identical appearances save for the frontal treatment. They both have a notably curvier appearance than their predecessors.
Overall dimensions have remained virtually identical. Toyota tried to keep the car’s mass as close to its forebear as possible. Aluminum has been used for the roof panels and fenders to move mass downwards and towards the cars centre line. Updated front seats and exhaust system also contribute to the mass saving. Overall vehicle mass is quoted as 1 270 kg. Toyota’s press material also says that torsional rigidity has increased 50 per cent.
Read our Toyota GR Supra driving review here.
Naturally aspirated
Sticking with the original concept the Toyota GR86 still has a horizontally opposed four cylinder engine. The naturally aspirated motor has grown from 2,0- to 2,4 litres thanks to an increase in the bore from 86 to 94 mm. A high, 12,5:1 compression ratio has been retained. Peak engine speed is rated as 7 400 r/min.
Learn more about the rally rep GR Yaris at this link.
Peak power rises to 173 kW with 250 N.m of torque available at 3 700 r/min. Toyota says the GR86 can now sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 6,3 seconds a 1,1 second improvement over the outgoing model. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual (check out our Be The Change manual shift pattern T-shirt at this link) or six-speed automatic transmission that is connected to the rear wheels. The Toyota GR86 is suspended on MacPherson struts up front and a racecar-like double wishbone rear set-up. In an effort to make it more engaging and communicative through the seat of the pants tyres measure just 215 mm wide.
Check out 39 GT86s fighting it out around Mount Panorama in the Australian GT86 Racing Series in the video below:
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