86 going to be a great Gazoo

AT last it’s out – the second generation of the Toyota 86 that is, still firmly focused on the same goal as the original: Delivering the dreams and the joy of driving inherent in sports cars.

This promise from an unveiling event in Japan today involving Toyota, via its Gazoo Racing franchise into whose hands the car now falls (so, yes, it’s now a GR 86), and co-developer Subaru.

Though shown in what Toyota Gazoo Racing calls a ‘prototype’ format, the new car is also confirmed as an accurate representation of the car as it goes on sale in Japan soon. No news yet from Toyota New Zealand about when it’ll hit here.

Toyota’s version follows in the tyre tracks of the second-generation BRZ (below), which was unveiled last November in the United States. Subaru NZ has straight out nixed conjecture of another BRZ-86 showdown, as occurred in the first year of the previous cars’ release, back in 2012.

Today’s event suggests Toyota’s car has slightly stronger outputs than the Subaru doppelganger, with press material quoting maximum power of 173kW presented at 7000rpm and top torque of 250Nm, coming on at 7400rpm. That’s 3kW and 1Nm more than Subaru quotes.

 Either way, it’s still a healthy increase over the maximum outputs from the 2.0-litre car – Subaru quotes 11 percent more power and 15 percent more torque – and it shows in the 0-100kmh time of 6.3 seconds, claimed of course for the manual. The previous model delivered in 7.4s. 

The engine has direct injection but forget about a turbocharger; that feature is purely for the North America-only Subaru Ascent SUV from which this engine is more or less plucked.

Toyota says producing optimal grunt at high revs is all part of the fun, but adds the engine’s responsiveness has also been enhanced, providing smooth, stress-free sensations from “low to high rpms.”

The unit continues to run through six-speed transmissions, the auto now having a Sport function, and sending out the oomph through the rear wheels, with the vehicle stability control system offering five settings now to alter the degree of skid-tastic fun.

Macpherson strut front suspension and double-wishbone rear suspension also carries over and even though the chassis is thought to be an improved version of the current cars, the two generations are only identical in 1775mm width.

With a length of 4265mm, height of 1310mm and wheelbase of 2572mm, the GR 86 is 25mm longer, 13mm lower and 6mm longer in wheelbase than the predecessor.

Toyota has quoted a kerb weight of 1270kg (for the manual) and, like Subaru, reminds the car’s roof is now aluminium to bring down the centre of gravity. Aluminum front wings, updated front seats and mufflers contribute to reduced weight.

Body rigidity has been improved, with the goal of offering pleasurable handling in all speed ranges—from urban driving to the upper limits of performance, the maker says. Torsional rigidity has been enhanced by approximately 50 percent over the previous model for greater steering stability.

However, Toyota says the GR86’s shape and aerodynamics have benefitted from the previous model’s immersion into motorsports, such as Toyota NZ’s GR86 (nee TR86) series. 

“The GR 86 features aerodynamic components seen on 86 models that participate in motorsports. These include air outlets, side sill spoilers, and other parts that improve steering responsiveness and stability.”

Recent media speculation about Toyota insisting that the GR86 should have a distinct driving feel appears spot on.

Says the Toyota Gazoo Racing release: “While engaging in friendly rivalry with the BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would provide happiness to 86 fans, and realise an evolution of the 86’s unique driving sensations.

“As a result, the new GR 86 is specially designed for sports performance, and provides direct and satisfying driving performance of the highest order.”

It also says the model is a result of an agreement, signed by the brands in late 2019, to enter into a new business and capital alliance, “as part of which the two companies committed to jointly engage in making ever-better cars.”

“The new GR 86/BRZ is not only a concrete example of this commitment, but also represents a new challenge for both companies, as they seek to subvert conventional ideas of cooperation in the automotive industry.

“Going forward, Toyota and Subaru intend to further ally their respective strengths, deepen their relationship, and so pursue the possibilities of making ever-better cars.”

Toyota says the car’s interior and exterior designs embrace responsive handling and functional beauty and that the model boasts a stance distinctive of front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Its low, horizontal underbody and narrow cabin rear combine to create a broad, low-centre-of-gravity appearance.

The cabin design is all about ensuring the driver can concentrate on driving. There’s a new seven inch display screen whose opening animation sequence is “inspired by the piston movements of the horizontally opposed engine, and fosters a sense of excitement even before the drive begins.”

The automatic GR86 alone appears to pick up Subaru’s Eyesight driver assist technology, which include pre-collision safety technologies that help avoid or reduce collision impacts.

Toyota says a total of more than 200,000 first generation 86s have been sold worldwide.