Why did Toyota stop making the 86?
After more than a decade on the market, Toyota ended production of the original 86 after the 2021 model year. The nameplate did not disappear entirely, however, as it lives on in the GR86, a second-generation sports coupe co-developed with Subaru that brings a larger engine, refreshed styling, and modern technology to a renewed entry in Toyota’s performance lineup.
What happened to the original 86
The decision to end the first-generation 86 was driven by a combination of aging design, limited sales, and the need for a substantial platform update to meet evolving safety and efficiency standards. Toyota and its partner Subaru chose to invest in a new generation rather than a costly facelift of an aging platform, and to align the project with Toyota’s GR performance branding.
Factors that influenced the halt and transition include:
- Ageing platform and lifecycle: The 86 debuted in 2012, and by the late 2010s the platform required a full redesign to stay competitive and compliant with new regulations.
- Sales volume and profitability: The 86 typically sold in modest numbers for a sports coupe, making it harder to justify a large, costly refresh.
- Shared development with Subaru: The 86/BRZ project is a cooperative effort; a fresh generation required a sizable, joint investment that could support a broader product strategy.
- Regulatory and safety requirements: Updating the architecture allowed Toyota to incorporate newer safety and emissions technologies more efficiently than trying to retrofit the old design.
- Brand strategy shift: Toyota elevated its sporty models under the Gazoo Racing (GR) banner, signaling a broader move toward performance branding and a clearer product hierarchy.
Taken together, these factors made a clean replacement more practical than continuing to evolve the aging first-gen platform. The result was a new generation built from the ground up to meet today’s standards and market expectations.
The GR86: A new generation replaces the old
The answer to the question of why the 86 was discontinued is that Toyota prepared a successor that could better compete in today’s market. The GR86 is a second-generation, jointly developed with Subaru, and it marks Toyota’s shift to the GR performance branding for affordable sports cars.
Key changes and what they mean for buyers
- New powertrain: A larger 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine replaces the old 2.0-liter unit, delivering more horsepower and torque for stronger real-world performance.
- Power and torque: About 228 horsepower and roughly 184 lb-ft of torque, providing noticeably quicker acceleration and more driveable performance across daily driving and spiritedays on the road.
- Transmission options: Availability of a six-speed manual as well as a six-speed automatic, preserving the driver-focused character while offering convenience for everyday use.
- chassis and handling: A stiffer chassis and updated suspension geometry improve handling precision, cornering confidence, and overall ride quality compared with the original.
- Styling and aerodynamics: Modernized exterior design cues and improved aerodynamics give the GR86 a contemporary look while maintaining its compact, lightweight spirit.
- Safety and technology: Toyota Safety Sense (or equivalent) and other driver-assistance features were integrated to meet current market expectations without compromising the driving experience.
In short, the GR86 embodies Toyota’s answer to both a market that still craves affordable, driver-focused coupes and a corporate strategy that prioritizes a recognizable performance brand and modern tech. It leverages the Subaru partnership to update the platform while delivering a fresh, more capable sports car.
Summary
Toyota stopped producing the original 86 after the 2021 model year and launched the GR86 for the 2022 model year as its successor. The move reflected a combination of an aging platform, modest sales, and the need to invest in a modern, market-competitive platform under the Gazoo Racing brand. The GR86 brings a new 2.4-liter engine, improved performance, updated styling, and contemporary safety tech, ensuring that Toyota remains relevant in the entry-level sports-car segment while continuing its collaboration with Subaru.
Why was the GR86 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.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota 86?
Oil Starvation Issues
Problem: The GT86/BRZ can suffer from oil starvation during hard cornering or on uneven roads. This is due to the design of the stock oil pick-up and sump, which can struggle to maintain consistent oil pressure, especially in aggressive driving situations.
When was GT86 discontinued?
Toyota 86
| Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota and Subaru |
| Also called | Subaru BRZ Toyota GT86 (Europe, 2012–2021) Scion FR-S (North America, 2012–2016) Toyota GR86 (2021–present) Toyota FT86 (Brunei, Nicaragua and Jamaica) |
| Production | January 2012 – present |
| Model years | 2013–present |
Will there be a 2026 Toyota 86?
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