TOYOTA has in the end debuted its new-generation 86 coupe which has shed its ‘GT’ moniker in favour of the anticipated ‘GR’ nomenclature, bringing the reasonably priced little sportscar into line with the larger GR Supra and GR Yaris.
Sporting an all-new look and engine, the GR 86 is predicted to the touch down in Australia someday within the second half of this 12 months, providing followers the one factor they’ve been eager for: extra energy.
Powered by the identical 2.4-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine as the brand new Subaru BRZ, the GR 86 produces 173kW/250Nm – 3kW/1Nm greater than its Subaru twin and 21kW/38Nm greater than the GT86 it replaces – all of which continues to be despatched to the rear wheels by way of a six-speed handbook or six-speed computerized transmission.
Toyota has not made any efficiency claims for the brand new mannequin but, however for the reference, the present mannequin stops the clock from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds.
Identical to the brand new BRZ, the GR 86’s physique has been made stiffer – torsional rigidity is up “roughly” 50 per cent – whereas the centre of gravity has been lowered because of new aluminium roof panels, entrance wings, new entrance seats and redesigned mufflers.
Visually, the brand new mannequin predictably resembles its Subaru twin from all angles save for the entrance fascia which has been given a much more sq. and critical look than the comparatively smiley BRZ.
To our eyes a minimum of, the entrance finish seems a bit like a scaled down, production-ready Nissan Z Proto.
In contrast to the outside, the inside sticks a lot nearer to the present mannequin’s structure with seemingly just some tweaks made right here and there to enhance the cabin’s ergonomics with the acquainted mixture of gray material and leather-based upholstery, sports activities seats, rotary local weather controls and a high-mounted infotainment display.
Whereas native pricing and specs are but to be confirmed, it could be secure to anticipate the brand new GR 86’s pricetag to comfortably undercut the $40,000 mark with our expectations pegging it to supply within the mid-$30,000s given its standing as an all-new mannequin with an influence bump.
“At this stage, now we have no bulletins to make on introduction timing for the brand new GR86 into Australia – these can be supplied in the end,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson advised GoAuto.
“We’re excited to share the worldwide launch data, which is presently the Japanese market prototype automobile, and though not ready to substantiate native specs but, we’ll present updates nearer to launch.”
For reference, the present mannequin begins from $32,180 plus on-roads.
In keeping with Toyota Australia gross sales and advertising vice-president Sean Hanley, the brand new GR 86 will construct on the “game-changing” qualities of its predecessor.
“The brand new GR 86 has been specifically designed for sports activities efficiency with exact and playful dealing with, delivering pure driving pleasure and a robust emotional connection between driver and automotive,” he mentioned.
“It’s a fashionable, compact four-seater that attracts on Toyota’s spectacular sportscar heritage together with the legendary 2000GT, Celica GT-4, MR2 and unique Supra, in addition to its more moderen GR siblings.”
Toyota Australia offered 83 examples of the present 86 by means of the primary two months of this 12 months, accounting for 7.8 per cent of the sub-$80,000 sportscar phase.
