What type of car is a GR86?
In short, the GR86 is a compact, rear-wheel-drive two-door sports car designed for agile handling and driver engagement. It’s developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division in collaboration with Subaru as the successor to the Toyota 86/GT86.
Overview and classification
The GR86 sits in the affordable end of the sports-car spectrum, emphasizing light weight, balanced handling, and everyday usability. It blends performance credentials with practicality, making it a popular entry point for driving enthusiasts.
Key features that define its character
- Body style: 2-door coupe with seating for up to four, though the rear seats are compact and best suited for small passengers or extra cargo space.
- Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD).
- Powertrain: 2.4-liter flat-four engine developed in collaboration with Subaru, delivering about 228 horsepower.
- Transmission options: 6-speed manual (preferred by enthusiasts) or 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
- Branding and lineage: Part of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) lineup, succeeding the GT86/86 and sharing lineage with the Subaru BRZ.
In summary, these attributes position the GR86 as an approachable, engaging sports car with a strong emphasis on handling and driver involvement.
Engineering, design, and driving experience
Powertrain and performance
The GR86 uses a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (a Subaru flat-four) that produces around 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a manual or automatic transmission, offering a responsive throttle and a rev-happy character that rewards spirited driving.
Chassis, weight, and handling
The design prioritizes a lightweight construction and balanced weight distribution, with precise steering and a tuned suspension that delivers agile cornering and a connected feel to the road. This combination aims to provide a confident, engaging ride without sacrificing daily comfort.
These engineering choices help the GR86 deliver a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads and at the limit, while remaining practical enough for everyday use.
Why people choose the GR86
Prospective buyers often weigh price, driving engagement, and everyday practicality when evaluating the GR86 against other sports cars in its class.
Reasons drivers gravitate toward the GR86
- Affordability: Positioned as a more accessible new sports car compared with premium rivals.
- Driver involvement: A focus on tactile steering, chassis feedback, and a manual transmission option for a hands-on experience.
- Practicality for a sports car: Compact footprint with usable everyday usability and decent cargo space for its segment.
- Heritage and collaboration: Built as part of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing program, with engineering input from Subaru.
In short, the GR86 is marketed as a balanced, engaging entry point into the world of performance driving.
Summary
The GR86 is a compact, rear-wheel-drive two-door sports coupe born from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing collaboration with Subaru. It centers on lightweight construction, responsive handling, and a driver-focused experience, powered by a 2.4-liter flat-four engine delivering around 228 horsepower. Available with a manual or automatic transmission, it remains an accessible, engaging option for enthusiasts seeking performance without the price tag of higher-end sports cars.
What car is the GR86 based on?
The Toyota GR86 is based on a joint development project with Subaru, resulting in the GR86 and its twin, the Subaru BRZ, which share a chassis and Subaru's Boxer engine. It is the spiritual successor to the Toyota GT86 (and its earlier incarnation as the Scion FR-S) and is also spiritually inspired by the classic Toyota AE86.
Joint development with Subaru
- The GR86 and Subaru BRZ were created through a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru.
- They share the same basic platform and are both powered by a Subaru Boxer engine.
- Subaru manufactures the vehicles, which are then sold with Toyota and Subaru branding.
- While they are mechanically very similar, the cars have different tuning, electronics, and styling to differentiate them.
Heritage and inspiration
- The GR86 is the successor to the Toyota GT86 and Scion FR-S, which were also developed with Subaru.
- The original Toyota 86 lineup was inspired by the classic Toyota AE86, a rear-wheel-drive sports car from the 1980s.
- Toyota's design for the original GT86 also paid homage to the 1960s Toyota 2000GT.
What kind of car is the Toyota GR86?
fastback coupé
Toyota 86
| Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ | |
|---|---|
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door fastback coupé |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
Is the GR86 considered a sports car?
Yes, the GR86 is widely considered a sports car, known for its rear-wheel drive layout, balanced handling, and driver-focused design. It is a compact, lightweight coupe developed with performance in mind, featuring a naturally aspirated boxer engine and available with a manual or automatic transmission.
Key sports car characteristics
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD): This classic sports car drivetrain sends power to the rear wheels for optimal handling and steering dynamics.
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout: This setup is common in sports cars and contributes to the GR86's low center of gravity and balanced performance.
- Lightweight and balanced chassis: Toyota designed the GR86 with a lightweight, rigid chassis to maximize driving engagement and responsiveness.
- 2.4L boxer engine: The naturally aspirated engine is tuned for performance, producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Focus on driver engagement: The GR86 is designed to provide a pure, "analogue" driving experience, especially when equipped with the manual transmission, say Steven Eagell Group and this YouTube video.
Why is GR86 being discontinued?
The Toyota GR86 is being discontinued in some markets, particularly Europe, due to new safety regulations that would require major, costly redesigns to comply. While there were also initial concerns about emissions regulations in Japan, the primary reason for the discontinuation in regions like Europe was the inability of the current design to meet new safety standards without significant changes. However, a new third-generation model is expected to be developed and will likely be a hybrid.
Key reasons for discontinuation
- New safety regulations: Upcoming European safety regulations, such as Euro NCAP's General Safety Regulation 2, are the main reason for the discontinuation.
- Cost and engineering challenges: To meet these new standards, the GR86 would need to be completely re-engineered, which is not economically viable for a low-volume sports car like the GR86.
- Impact on design: Compliance with the new regulations would detrimentally affect the car's dynamic and performance-oriented character.
- Vehicle compatibility: The current GR86 design, particularly the windscreen, is reportedly incompatible with new technology required by the new safety rules, such as traffic light recognition systems.
- Market-specific issue: This issue is primarily affecting the European market, where the car will be discontinued in 2024. Other markets may be less affected or have a slightly different timeline.
- Manual vs. Automatic: In some markets, like Australia, the manual versions may be discontinued if they cannot be fitted with the mandatory autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which is not equipped on manual versions of the car.
Future outlook
- Third-generation model: The discontinuation does not signal the end of the GR86 nameplate. Toyota is reportedly moving forward with developing a third-generation model, possibly under its own in-house development team without Subaru's collaboration.
- New powertrain: The new model is rumored to have an electrified, turbocharged powertrain.
