Toyota GR86 reportedly getting GR Corolla’s turbo three

New studies out of Japan might level to the way forward for the Toyota GR86 and the Subaru BRZ, two of the final bastions of light-weight sport coupes within the automotive trade. Each recommend {that a} GR86 powered by the GR Yaris and GR Corolla’s turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder is on the desk, however they battle within the particulars about whether or not its Subaru twin will make it. 

First up is the report by Magazine-X, which has been dissected by Australia’s Drive. It says that Toyota is taking growth of the GR86 in-house and putting in a 1.4-liter model of the Gazoo three-pot. It might get an electrical hybrid motor as nicely to align with carbon neutrality objectives, however regardless the nimble front-engine, rear-wheel-drive structure will likely be maintained.

Considered one of causes given for this transfer is that Tetsuya Tada, the engineer who brokered the partnerships between Toyota and Subaru for earlier generations of the 86 and with BMW for the GR Supra, retired in 2021. Apparently there isn’t any successor who might rally the groups from each firms to proceed the mission.

It might be odd for Subaru promote a automobile with out its signature boxer engine, so the BRZ may not survive if this occurs. Nevertheless, the report says that even when there isn’t any Subaru-branded twin, the corporate might nonetheless construct the brand new GR86 for Toyota in its Gunma manufacturing facility, as a supply advised Magazine-X that Subaru is raring to maintain its strains from idling. 

Particulars of the article battle with a distinct account from Finest Automotive. The Japanese journal additionally studies that the subsequent GR86 can have the GR Yaris’ turbo three with a hybrid complement, however that it will retain its 1.6-liter displacement. It goes on to say that output will likely be 300 horsepower no less than.

As a result of the present platform can not go from a boxer to a vertical in-line engine with out main modifications to structure and crash construction, the subsequent GR86 could also be constructed on a shortened and stiffened Lexus IS platform. On this model of the story, Subaru will proceed to promote a BRZ model, nevertheless.

Magazine-X lays out a 2028 timeline for the subsequent GR86, however Finest Automotive says it’s going to be out a lot sooner, in 2025. Whereas the main points do not line up, the overlap within the Venn diagram signifies that the GR Yaris and GR Corolla’s 3-cylinder is a probable engine candidate. For what it is price, Toyota has already examined a model of the present GR86 with that motor, as a prototype for operating artificial gas.

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