ALTHOUGH Subaru has already offered all 500 of its preliminary allocation of next-gen BRZ sports activities coupes – earlier than deliveries have even commenced – Toyota must sit on the sidelines till the second half of 2022 earlier than it will get a brand new scorching two-door of its personal to promote: The intently associated GR86.
However in keeping with Toyota Australia, that’s all a part of the plan – and the delay ought to lead to a car with its personal distinct flavour, which is seen as crucial for giving it sufficient separation to its Subaru twin and can enable each autos to coexist with out treading on one another’s toes.
“The launch of this car was at all times deliberate for this time, in order that the Toyota GR86 may gain advantage from some extra improvement time, which was used to make it a barely extra centered car on monitor,” a Toyota spokesperson mentioned.
“We consider this distinction will make sure that a great variety of our clients will wait to expertise the distinction for themselves, earlier than deciding which car (GR86 or BRZ) is finest suited to their wants.”
Although each vehicles will nonetheless share their sheetmetal, engines, and the majority of their inside furnishings, identical to the first-generation BRZ and 86 did, the under-the-skin variations will probably be way more vital this time round.
Whereas the exact nature of those variations is just not but recognized, GoAuto understands that the suspension of the GR86 is relatively firmer, with much less physique roll and a tauter really feel to make it really feel sharper on street and monitor. The BRZ, in the meantime, is extra single-minded, being arrange for extra sedate country-road touring reasonably than occasional monitor days.
There are additionally some element modifications to parts like suspension arms, whereas geometry settings, steering calibration and throttle mapping may differ between the 2 vehicles.
Nevertheless, whereas the chassis tuning could also be completely different, each vehicles use the identical naturally aspirated 2.4-litre flat 4. Equipped by Subaru, it generates 173kW and 250Nm, and takes energy to the rear wheels through a six-speed guide or non-obligatory six-speed automated.
The delay between the BRZ’s world reveal (which occurred roughly this time final 12 months) and the GR86’s rollout have been reportedly spurred by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s disapproval of how related his firm’s automotive felt to its Subaru counterpart.
Mr Toyoda, an avid race automotive driver himself, requested his engineering employees give the GR86 a livelier really feel, and one that will really feel extra at residence on a circuit than the BRZ.
Nevertheless, the second-generation 86 is now on sale in Japan and the USA, with an imminent arrival within the European market. So why does Australia have to attend till the second half of subsequent 12 months?
Toyota Australia is just not saying, nor are they giving any hints as to its worth level, however one clarification might be that the GR86’s arrival has been intentionally staggered out to offer Subaru the chance to promote its preliminary allocation of BRZs earlier than Toyota muscle tissue in – a mutually helpful association that will enable each corporations to take turns on the entry-level coupe market with out impinging on each other.
Why would such a technique be mandatory? One potential reply might be that the opening worth for the GR86 is deliberate to be considerably greater than that of its predecessor.
Whereas the first-generation 86 launched with a discount sub-$30K retail sticker, Toyota’s new two-door might be positioned uncomfortably near the BRZ’s $38,990 beginning worth.
We must wait till the second half of 2022 to seek out out whether or not that would be the case.
