Toyota unveiled the new sports car 86 almost five months after Subaru did the same with its rear-wheel drive BRZ coupe. More than 200 thousand copies of the original version were sold, and its replacement aims to bring improvements on all fronts, keeping the light recipe almost intact.
To keep weight under control, engineers used aluminum on the roof and fenders while making adjustments to the front seats and mufflers to reduce fat as much as possible. The revised roof brings another great benefit to lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity, which should pay dividends in terms of handling.
22 Photos
Torsional stiffness has been improved by approximately 50 percent to increase stability, while the car’s footprint has remained virtually the same. It is 4,265 mm (167.9 inches) long, 1,775 mm (69.8 inches) wide and 1,310 mm (51.5 inches) high, with the wheelbase measuring 2,575 mm (101.3 inches). ). When equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the 2022 Toyota 86 tilts the scale with just 1,270 kg (2,800 pounds). Optionally, an automatic transmission with the same number of gears will be available.
The motivation is provided by a larger 2.4-liter petrol engine that replaces the old 2.0-liter engine. Still naturally aspirated, the four horizontally opposite banger produces 232 horsepower (173 kilowatts) at 7,000 rpm and 184 pound-feet (250 Newton-meters) of torque at 3,700 rpm on the JDM-spec 86. The upgraded engine allowed Toyota reduce 1.1 seconds of the sprint to 62 mph (100 km / h), which now takes 6.3 seconds.
In addition to extracting more power, Toyota says the engine has a better response and provides “smooth, stress-free sensations from low to high revs”. Joining the GR Yaris, GR Supra and the future GR Super Sport hypercar, the new GR 86 also features a variety of aerodynamic enhancements designed to improve steering stability and responsiveness. The front suspension consists of a MacPherson strut, while the rear configuration has a double triangle configuration, with both axles with 18-inch wheels wrapped in 215/40 tires.
You can easily say that the GR 86 is once again twinned with the BRZ, as the two largely share the exterior design. The most obvious differentiator is the design of the front grille, as we think the Toyota version is a little more aggressive. The grille is similar to the one you will find on the hot GR Yaris portal and we are noticing that the LED headlights are not exactly the same as in the equivalent Subie.
The cabin is also a case of déjà vu, as it is virtually identical to its sister model BRZ, in addition to the slightly different upholstery and the GR emblem on the steering wheel. It features the same digital display as the seven-inch driver and an eight-inch infotainment. From the shape of the air vents and seats to the dashboard and pedals, the 86 and BRZ have basically the same interiors. With regard to safety, the automatic model uses Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology.
The second generation Toyota GR 86 will go on sale in Japan this fall, with details on the North American version to be released at a later date.