PPractically at the end of the year and to reaffirm its commitment to its sports division Gazoo Racing, Toyota presented the new GR86 in our country, which is essentially the new generation of the GT 86, now under the umbrella of the brand’s high-performance department.
With a completely renewed design but maintaining the concept that has always characterized it and a plus of power and performance, its formula continues to be fun behind the wheel. That is why for our country the configuration with a 6-speed manual box was chosen instead of the automatic transmission.
These are its main features:
The new:
It is the new generation of what was previously called the GT 86 and which has now been renamed with the initials of Gazoo Racing as part of the sportier range of the brand, made up of the GR Yaris, GR Corolla and GR Supra.
Presented globally in April this year, just like its predecessor it was developed in partnership with Subaru, in fact the BRZ was unveiled earlier and they are still practically identical vehicles: the most notable difference is the design of the GR86 bumper, something more simple, with a trapezoidal air intake and two additional ones at the ends of the bumper to direct the air towards the wheels and emphasize the width of the vehicle.
Aesthetically, the new generation of both coupes makes it clear that it is a different car, but without too radical changes: its bearing and silhouette look similar, with a long hood and the cabin pulled back together with the shorter rear. Some of the lines are maintained, but now it adds more muscle and more aggressive details, such as the air outlet behind the front wheel arch that extends to the sides like a rib that gives it more character. The front sector has larger headlights, no longer as torn as the previous one, along with a large air intake and two more located at the ends of the bumper. The use of more fluid and less sharp lines has not only an aesthetic reason, but also a safety one, since it sought to improve pedestrian protection. In profile, as we pointed out earlier, it still resembles its predecessor, although we find a certain air of Lexus, especially in the shape of the rear windows.
The rear sector is the most innovative of the set, leaving aside the circular headlights for more horizontal ones and the finish of the trunk lid that draws a spoiler. Saving the distances, it looks something similar to an Aston Martin. Special mention for the huge diffuser and the double exhaust outlet, framed in black plastic. In our country, the available units were equipped with the GR Aero Kit, which adds spoilers, a spoiler and a larger diffuser along with four exhaust outlets.
Inside doors there are also important changes compared to its predecessor: greater care is noted in the finishes and quality of the plastics along with a greater role for technology. It has a 7-inch display for the instruments –configurable by the driver- and an 8” touch screen for the multimedia system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There is also a certain family air with Lexus in the instrumentation or the air vents. The gear lever and handbrake are still within easy reach of the driver, who will achieve a very sporty driving position thanks to the seats and the position of the steering wheel. The setting is given by the leather/alcantara coverings, with red stitching and various aluminum appliqués on the steering wheel, the center console and the pedal board.
As we indicated at the time of the BRZ presentation, both are developed on a new platform, although it takes several elements from the SGP (Subaru Global Platform), since the constellation firm took over the mechanics of the coupe, keeping the characteristic boxer engine.
Versions:
It is marketed in a single version, with a manual gearbox.
Comfort equipment:
Dual-zone automatic climate control, multimedia system with 8” touch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with USB and Bluetooth, sports seats upholstered in eco-leather with red stitching and headrests with GR emblems, heated and leather-covered multifunction steering wheel, sports pedal board aluminum, on-board computer with 4.2” LCD display, gearbox indicator, headlight height adjustment and button ignition, among other items.
Safety equipment:
Front, side and curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS/EBD/BA, traction control, stability control, hill start assistant and Isofix anchors.
Mechanics:
Goodbye to the 208 CV aspirated 2.0 boxer, the new GR86 uses a new 2.4-liter engine –of Subaru origin, also aspirated- that delivers 237 CV at 7,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque, available from 3,700 rpm. Thus, the brand seeks to achieve a better and broader delivery of torque, instead of only being at the top of the tachometer. Another important detail is that it retains the classic formula of a sports car: rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox. It is not foreseen, at least for the moment, the incorporation of the option with an automatic box for our country. In addition, it has a mechanical self-locking differential and a very balanced weight distribution along with a lower center of gravity than its predecessor.
Prices and guarantee:
- Toyota GR86 MT6: US$70,000
- 5 year or 150,000 kilometer warranty.