What does 86 mean in Toyota 86?
The 86 name is a tribute to Toyota's AE86 generation — the iconic 1983–1987 Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno — whose nickname in Japanese is "hachi-roku" (eight-six). The numeric badge signals heritage and lineage rather than engine size or year.
Origins of the name
The badge 86 is deeply tied to the AE86, a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe that became a touchstone for drift culture and affordable sports car dynamics. Enthusiasts and writers alike point to the AE86's balanced handling, simple mechanics, and its place in the 1980s car scene as the reason Toyota chose to honor that lineage with a modern revival.
AE86: the eight-six that defined a generation
The AE86 generation of the Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno is widely celebrated for its nimble chassis, low weight, and affordable performance. Its cultural footprint—through grassroots racing, tuning, and drifting—made the "86" a recognizable symbol among enthusiasts. When Toyota named the modern successor with the same numeric heritage, it was a deliberate nod to that era.
From AE86 to the FT-86 concept
The revival began with the FT-86 concept, a joint project with Subaru that previewed a lightweight, rear-drive sports car. The concept helped cement the idea that Toyota could fuse heritage with modern engineering, leading to a production model that would carry forward the "86" badge in various markets.
The modern lineage and branding
As the concept matured into production, the name evolved with regional branding. The car appeared as GT 86 in Europe, Toyota 86 in many other markets, and as Scion FR-S in the United States for a time before the Scion brand was retired. The shared engineering influenced Subaru's BRZ as a sibling model, reinforcing the joint effort behind the revival of the 86 concept.
GR86 and the current market
The modern successor—now called the GR86—debuted in the early 2020s with updated power and tuning under Toyota's Gazoo Racing umbrella. The current GR86 uses a 2.4-liter FA24 engine delivering about 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with options for a manual or automatic transmission. The "GR" designation marks Gazoo Racing's performance lineage, while the model remains the spiritual descendant of the AE86 heritage.
Before the list: The following timeline summarizes how the 86 name traveled from the AE86 era to today’s GR86, including production names and the collaboration with Subaru.
- AE86 generation (1983–1987): The original chassis code for the Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, known as "Eight-Six" or "Hachi-Roku" in Japanese.
- FT-86 concept (late 2000s–2011): A collaborative preview with Subaru that signaled a revival of a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car.
- Production naming in markets (early 2010s): Europe used GT 86, many regions used Toyota 86, and North America offered the Scion FR-S before rebranding.
- GR86 (2021–present): The current generation branding under Gazoo Racing, with a 2.4-liter engine and modern updates.
In summary, the 86 badge is a careful homage to Toyota's AE86 heritage, carried forward through the FT-86 concept and production models, and refined in the contemporary GR86 that sits at the intersection of nostalgia and modern performance.
Summary
The 86 name is a deliberate tribute to Toyota's iconic AE86, signaling a lineage of lightweight, balanced, rear-wheel-drive performance. From the AE86 era to the FT-86 concept, through various market-specific names, to the current GR86, the badge embodies heritage while embracing modern engineering and a global enthusiast community. The GR86 continues that legacy with updated powertrains and branding that keeps the eight-six spirit alive.
Why are BRZ and 86 the same?
The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are nearly identical because they were developed through a collaboration between the two automakers, sharing the same platform, engine, and manufacturing plant. This partnership allowed both companies to reduce development costs while creating a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a boxer engine. The main differences are in the branding, some tuning, minor exterior design tweaks, and available features.
This video explains the differences between the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ: 37sWhen Hann Meets CarsYouTube · May 9, 2025
Shared features and development
- Collaboration: The sports cars were a joint project between Subaru and Toyota to create a small, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe.
- Platform and manufacturing: They are built on the same platform and manufactured on the same assembly line in a Subaru factory in Gunma, Japan.
- Engine: Both cars feature a horizontally opposed ("boxer") engine, which is a Subaru design.
- Drivetrain: They share the same rear-wheel-drive layout.
Minor differences
- Exterior styling: While the overall shape and many body panels are shared, each car has a slightly different front fascia and other minor cosmetic differences.
- Tuning: Toyota and Subaru have made some minor adjustments to the suspension tuning and electronic control units (ECUs) to give each car a slightly different feel, but their basic handling is very similar.
- Features: The specific features and trim levels available can vary between the two models.
What does 86 mean in slang?
In slang, "86" means to get rid of, refuse service to, or throw out something or someone. It originated in the restaurant and bar industry, where it was first used to indicate an item was sold out or to refuse service to an unruly customer. The term can also be used more broadly to simply mean to cancel or dismiss something.
- Restaurant/bar context: To "86" a customer means to kick them out, and to "86" a menu item means it's sold out.
- General usage: It can mean to reject, discard, or remove something or someone.
- Military/law enforcement: In some contexts, it can mean to eliminate or kill someone, though this usage is less common in mainstream slang.
What does 86 mean in GR86?
Much as the AE86 of old represented many young people's first affordable sports car, so does the new GR86. In that way, the "86" signifies Toyota's desire to carry on the legacy behind the original car's philosophy.
What is a Toyota 86?
The Toyota 86 is a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe developed jointly with Subaru, known for its sharp handling and affordability. It was created as a spiritual successor to the classic Toyota AE86 Corolla and features a 2+2 seating layout and a naturally aspirated flat-four engine. For 2021, Toyota rebranded it the GR86 to highlight its connection to the Toyota Gazoo Racing division.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Toyota GR86 and its evolution from the GT86: 52sAuto Social UKYouTube · Jun 25, 2025
Key features and characteristics
- Engine: The modern GR86 uses a 2.4-liter flat-four boxer engine, while earlier models used a 2.0-liter engine jointly developed with Subaru. The "86" in the name refers to the 86mm bore and stroke of the engine's cylinders.
- Drivetrain: It is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, a key characteristic for a sports car, and is available with both a six-speed manual and automatic transmission.
- Handling: The car is praised for its precise and responsive handling, with a focus on driver enjoyment and a balanced chassis.
- Design: The 86 has a low-slung, sleek coupe profile and is designed to be lightweight for improved performance.
- Legacy: It pays homage to the iconic 1980s AE86 (or "Hachi-Roku") and is often associated with the culture of drifting.
- Current Generation: The current generation GR86 was updated with a more rigid chassis and a more powerful engine, along with a more modern interior featuring an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
