Meet Toyota's Newest Pocket Rocket: The GR 86

Return of the Sports Coupe

Last fall, Subaru revealed the all-new, second-generation 2022 BRZ, which meant that soon, we would also be treated to a brand new Toyota 86. Now, that's exactly what has happened, but the 2+2 sports coupe is now known as the GR 86, adding the Gazoo Racing moniker to designate it as a sports car in the same vein as the GR Supra and GR Yaris.

Photos: Toyota

Slight Tweaks

As was the case with the previous-gen 86, the GR 86 looks much like its twin, the BRZ, albeit with a unique front grille and subtle tweaks. It retains the basic shape and dimensions of the outgoing model, however, as Toyota wanted to maintain its winning formula of a fun-to-drive, sporty, and affordable coupe.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

More Power

The biggest news for the new GR 86 comes from under the hood, where a larger 2.4-liter flat-four cylinder powerplant replaces the old 2.0 and adds some power as well. Toyota didn't talk numbers at the GR 86's release, but the BRZ is rated to produce 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque - 23 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque more than the previous generation.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Much Quicker

According to Toyota, that infusion of power will have a big impact on the performance of the GR 86 as well. The automaker claims that the 2022 GR 86 will do 0-60 in just 6.3 seconds, which is more than a second faster than the 7.4 seconds it took the last-gen 86. Buyers can also choose between a proper six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Revised Cabin

The interior of the GR 86 has received a major overhaul as well, with a horizontally-oriented instrument panel, switches, and operating system, as well as a 7-inch TFT screen with an opening animation sequence inspired by the piston movements of the GR 86's horizontally opposed engine.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Stiffer, Lighter

The 2022 GR 86 tips the scales at just 2,800 pounds thanks to an aluminum roof and front fenders, which contributes to its improved performance as well as handling characteristics. Toyota engineers also managed to improve torsional rigidity by a whopping 50 percent over the outgoing model.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Coming Soon?

The 2022 Toyota GR 86 is slated to go on sale in Japan this fall, but no word on when it will arrive in the rest of the world. Toyota also isn't talking pricing just yet, but we'd expect the reborn coupe to start at under or around $30k, just as the current model does.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about the new GR 86 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

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