What does GR86 stand for?
The GR86 stands for Gazoo Racing 86. In Toyota’s naming, "GR" denotes the company's performance division, and the "86" nods to the iconic AE86 from the 1980s that inspired the modern 86 lineup.
As Toyota refreshed its sports-car lineup in the 2020s, the GR86 emerged as the Gazoo Racing-tuned successor to the original Toyota 86/Scion FR-S (with Subaru’s BRZ as its sibling in the joint development). The name thus signals both a performance-focused lineage and a connection to Toyota’s storied AE86 era.
Origins of the GR branding
The "GR" prefix in GR86 comes from Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s in-house performance and motorsport arm. The GR86 is one of several GR-branded models that mark Toyota’s push into more capable, driver-focused vehicles.
What the letters signify in context
GR stands for Gazoo Racing, the performance division behind Toyota’s race-bred models. The number "86" references a beloved sibling in the Toyota family—the AE86 generation from the 1980s—linking a modern sports coupe to a storied past.
- GR = Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance and motorsport division.
- 86 = homage to the AE86 chassis from the 1980s (the original “Hachi-Roku”).
- GR86 = Toyota’s Gazoo Racing-tuned version of the modern 86, developed with Subaru as part of the joint 86 family.
Together, the naming emphasizes a performance-focused approach rooted in Toyota’s heritage, rather than a random model tag.
The 86 heritage and the AE86 connection
The number 86 is a deliberate nod to the AE86 generation, the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe that became a cultural touchstone in drifting, touring, and grassroots motorsports during the 1980s.
AE86 and the "Hachi-Roku" nickname
In Japanese, AE86 is affectionately called "Hachi-Roku" (eight-six). Its lightweight balance and tunability helped fuel a lasting fan base and a motorsport legend that Toyota tapped into with the modern 86 family.
- AE86 was a mid-1980s rear-wheel-drive model that became iconic in tuning and drifting communities.
- The "86" designation honors that heritage in Toyota’s current sports car lineup.
- The modern GR86, like the Subaru BRZ, aims to capture the driving feel that made the AE86 legendary, while offering contemporary tech and safety.
Thus, the "86" in GR86 is less a technical acronym and more a tribute to Toyota’s historical performance coupe.
GR86 today: what the name conveys in practice
Summary: The GR86 name communicates two ideas in one: Gazoo Racing’s performance pedigree (GR) and a direct link to the AE86-era 86 lineage that inspired Toyota’s current sports coupe family (86).
Summary
In short, GR86 stands for Gazoo Racing 86. "GR" marks Toyota’s performance division, while "86" honors the iconic AE86 that shaped the brand’s sports-car heritage. The GR86 is the modern, performance-focused continuation of the 86 family, developed with Subaru and positioned as a contemporary tribute to the classic that started it all.
