Toyota Is About to Turn the GR86 Into a Very Different Sports Car

Toyota is preparing a major transformation for the next-generation GR86. The current 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine is expected to give way to a turbocharged inline-four displacing either 1.5 or 2.0 liters. Toyota will lead development of the new model, while chassis tuning is expected to draw heavily on experience gained from the Super Taikyu racing series.

The current Toyota GR86 debuted in 2021 as the second generation of the sports coupe jointly developed with Subaru. Its sibling model is the Subaru BRZ. Both cars retained a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder engines.

The biggest change for the next GR86 is expected to be under the hood. Instead of the current 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder, Toyota is reportedly considering its recently developed 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engines. It remains unclear which version will ultimately be selected.

The 1.5-liter turbo could help Toyota maintain a compact powertrain while delivering the torque expected from a sports car. The 2.0-liter engine would be aimed at stronger acceleration and potentially higher speeds on a race track. Toyota has not disclosed output figures for either engine, making it difficult to predict how the new GR86 will perform.

For the GR86, outright horsepower is only part of the equation. Engineers will need to maintain a direct connection between throttle input and the car's response while ensuring the rear wheels continue to deliver traction when accelerating out of corners. Turbocharger and throttle calibration could become key elements of the new coupe's character.

The next GR86 is expected to use a heavily revised version of the current car's platform. Retaining the existing architecture would allow Toyota to modernize the vehicle without developing an entirely new foundation. However, switching from a boxer engine to an inline-four would require changes to the engine's placement, surrounding components, center-of-gravity height and front-to-rear weight distribution.

Adding turbocharging would also require upgrades to the cooling, intake and exhaust systems. As a result, the changes to the chassis and powertrain are likely to go well beyond a simple engine swap.

Toyota is also expected to apply experience gained from the Super Taikyu racing series during development. The automaker has previously indicated that it wants to bring components and technical solutions proven in GR86 race cars to production vehicles. Racing-derived developments could influence body rigidity, suspension tuning, cooling systems and aerodynamics on the next GR86.

The related Subaru BRZ is also expected to continue. Toyota will lead development of the next-generation GR86, while Subaru is reportedly planning to give the BRZ its own tuning and driving character. The two cars should retain a common underlying structure, but differences could emerge in steering feel, suspension calibration and body dynamics.

The GR86 could place greater emphasis on quick direction changes and handling agility, while the BRZ may focus more heavily on stability and smoother responses.

The next-generation Toyota GR86 is expected to arrive in the second half of 2028.