Toyota Gazoo Racing and Subaru Corp. revealed the redesigned 2022 Toyota GR 86 early Monday in Toyota City, Japan. The GR 86 is the third member of Toyota’s GR line-up, which includes the GR Supra and GR and Yaris.
As before, the new model was developed in conjunction with Subaru, sharing its rear-wheel-drive platform and horizontally opposed engine with the 2022 Subaru BRZ. The new model goes on sale in the fall.
Dimensions are almost identical to the previous model, and Toyota says the new GR 86’s body rigidity has been improved, boasting 50% greater torsional rigidity compared to the previous model. Aluminum is employed for the roof panels, fenders, mufflers and root seats an effort to lower the vehicle’s center-of-gravity as much as possible.
The GR 86’s horizontally opposed naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine receives an increase in displacement, growing to 2.4 liters from 2 liters. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters is optional.
Now-standard Vehicle Stability Control provides five levels of traction control, for those who venture onto the track. It allows the driver greater control before traction control systems kick in.
Performance improvements
Given its place in the market, suspension is not exotic, although it is fully independent. Up front, you’ll find MacPherson struts, lower L-arms, coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front to keep weight down, although overall weight has increased by 23 pounds.
In the rear, there’s a double wishbone suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. A limited-slip rear differential and 215/40 R18-inch tires come standard.
Toyota says the larger powerplant furnishes a 0-62 mph time of 6.3 seconds, more than 1 second quicker than
before.
Offering a different look
Although Toyota claims it has attempted to give the GR 86 greater differentiation from its cousin, visually, most of the car’s shape remains identical to the BRZ. There is some variation in front and rear fascias, as well as GR 86’s specific grilles and body trim, which includes unique air outlets, side sill spoilers, and other aerodynamic components, many developed from motorsports.
Inside, the BRZ and GR 86 look identical, with 2+2 seating and an instrument panel featuring a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster that’s dominated by a large tachometer, a digital speed readout and a customizable gauge that displays amps, water temperature or a g-meter.
At the center of the instrument panel is an 8-inch infotainment touch screen, with three rotary climate controls beneath it. Metal-accented pedals complete the interior trim.
Toyota and Subaru were intent on maintaining a seating position, with deeply contoured bucket seats.
Sports car history
Toyota says it has sold more than 200,000 86s since the model was introduced in 2012, where it came to the U.S. market as the Scion FR-S. Annual sales have been meager in recent years; Toyota sold just 2,476 units in 2020, down 17% from 2019. In comparison, Subaru sold 2,267 BRZs, a 2.9% decline from 2019.
As with any sports car, its popularity came early, with U.S. sales hitting a high point in 2013 with sales of 18,327 Scion FR-Ss and 8,587 Subaru BRZs. With the demise of Scion, the car was rebranded as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year.
Look for the 2022 Toyota GR 86 to arrive sometime after the Subaru. Pricing was not announced, but the previous model started at $28,015 including a $955 destination charge.
Particularly in the hind-quarters, this appears to be what the tC would have evolved into.