Toyota reveals next-gen GR86, local timing TBC

TOYOTA has at long last debuted its new-generation 86 coupe which has shed its ‘GT’ moniker in favour of the expected ‘GR’ nomenclature, bringing the affordable little sportscar into line with the bigger GR Supra and GR Yaris.

Sporting an all-new look and engine, the GR86 is expected to touch down in Australia sometime in the second half of this year, offering fans the one thing they have been longing for: more power.

Powered by the same 2.4-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine as the new Subaru BRZ, the GR86 produces 173kW/250Nm – 3kW/1Nm more than its Subaru twin and 21kW/38Nm more than the GT86 it replaces – all of which is still sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota has not made any performance claims for the new model yet, but for the reference, the current model stops the clock from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds.

Just like the new BRZ, the GR86’s body has been made stiffer – torsional rigidity is up “approximately” 50 per cent – while the centre of gravity has been lowered thanks to new aluminium roof panels, front wings, new front seats and redesigned mufflers.

Visually, the new model predictably resembles its Subaru twin from all angles save for the front fascia which has been given a far more square and serious look than the relatively smiley BRZ.

To our eyes at least, the front end looks a bit like a scaled down, production-ready Nissan Z Proto.

Unlike the exterior, the interior sticks much closer to the current model’s layout with seemingly just a few tweaks made here and there to improve the cabin’s ergonomics, retaining the familiar mix of grey cloth and leather upholstery, sports seats, rotary climate controls and a high-mounted infotainment screen.

While local pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, it would be safe to expect the new GR86’s pricetag to comfortably undercut the $40,000 mark with our expectations pegging it to arrive in the mid-$30,000s given its status as an all-new model with a power bump.

“At this stage, we have no announcements to make on introduction timing for the new GR86 into Australia – these will be provided in due course,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told GoAuto.

“We are excited to share the global release information, which is currently the Japanese market prototype vehicle, and although not in a position to confirm local specifications yet, we will provide updates closer to launch.”

For reference, the current model starts from $32,180 plus on-roads.

According to Toyota Australia sales and marketing vice-president Sean Hanley, the new GR86 will build on the “game-changing” qualities of its predecessor.

“The new GR86 has been specially designed for sports performance with precise and playful handling, delivering pure driving pleasure and a strong emotional connection between driver and car,” he said.

“It is a stylish, compact four-seater that draws on Toyota’s impressive sportscar heritage including the legendary 2000GT, Celica GT-Four, MR2 and original Supra, as well as its more recent GR siblings.”

Toyota Australia sold 148 examples of the current 86 through the first three months of this year, accounting for 9.7 per cent of the sub-$80,000 sportscar segment.