Toyota reveals the all-new GR 86 coupe

The Toyota GR 86 has just be revealed in Japan and goes on sale later this year. Photos: Toyota

Toyota has just unveiled the new GR 86 coupe, the successor to GT86 and ‘twin’ to Subaru’s BRZ.

The GR 86 joins the GR Supra and GR Yaris, created by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (TGR) team.

The new GR 86 is scheduled to launch in Japan in the third quarter of this year and is expected to be in New Zealand late 2021.

The GR 86 was co-created by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (TGR) team.

A total of more than 200,000 first generation 86s have been sold worldwide and Toyota is hoping this second generation will find equal success.

TGR's new GR 86 and Subaru's new BRZ were jointly developed. Although the two vehicles share the same vehicle base, the two companies focused on creating their respective models with a distinct driving feel. 

According to Toyota’s press release, “while engaging in friendly rivalry with the BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would provide happiness to 86 fans, and realize an evolution of the 86's unique driving sensations”. 

The GR 86 gets the same boxer engine as its ‘twin’ the Subaru BRZ.

“As a result, the new GR 86 is specially designed for sports performance, and provides direct and satisfying driving performance of the highest order,” says Toyota.

The GR 86 will get the same boxer engine as the Subaru; up from a 2-litre in gen one to 2.4l, producing 173kW of power (up 2kW over the BRZ) and 250Nm of torque (again up 2Nm than the BRZ).

The GR 86 differs from the BRZ design-wise thanks to its new front bumper.

Toyota says the engine delivers “superior driving performance as a consequence”, achieving 0-100km/h acceleration in just 6.3 seconds―down from the 7.4 seconds of the outgoing model. Engine responsiveness has also been enhanced, providing smooth, stress-free sensations from low to high rpms.

Where the Toyota and Subaru twins differ most is on the design front, with the GR 86's design changes headlined by a unique front bumper

Differences are few and far between towards the rear, with both cars sharing their rear bumpers, claw-shaped tail-light signatures, dual exhaust tips and ally wheel designs.

The GR 86 also gets a different infotainment screen than the Subaru.

Inside, the similarities continue, with both models sharing a new 7.0-inch TFT digital instrument display, though the Toyota features an opening animation "inspired by the piston movements of the [car's] horizontally opposed engine".

The GR 86 also appears to score a far larger infotainment screen than the Subaru's 8.0-inch unit – though it's likely this will be unique to the Japanese market – along with an array of red accents on the door cards and seats.

An array of active safety technologies are now available on automatic models, including autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control – however, manual models miss out on the potentially life-saving tech.

The GR 86 is expected to be launched in New Zealand late this year.