The Toyota Supra and GR Yaris have a new brother.
The 2021 Toyota GR 86 has been locked in for Australia, and matches its Subaru BRZ twin in offering more power and a more modern cabin than its strong-selling predecessor.
It’s coming to Australia, although we don’t know exactly when. The Subaru BRZ will be here late in 2021, although it was revealed five months ahead of its Toyota twin.
Gone is the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine, replaced with a 2.4-litre unit.
It’s still unencumbered by turbochargers, and is still horizontally-opposed in fine Subaru tradition.
Claimed outputs for Japan are 173kW of power and 250Nm of torque, identical to the Japanese claims for the Subaru BRZ.
That’s up 21kW and 38Nm on its predecessor, while Subaru says it has addressed the torque dip that plagued the first-generation car.
A six-speed manual transmission carries over, as does the six-speed automatic.
The claimed 100km/h sprint time is 6.3 seconds, a full second faster than the old model.
Under the skin, Toyota says torsional rigidity has been boosted by 50 per cent, and the centre of gravity has been lowered thanks largely to the aluminium roof and front quarter panels.
There are 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are fitted. Goodbye, eco tyres.
Inside, the GR 86 shares its bones with the Subaru BRZ. There’s a more prominent screen in the dashboard and a new instrument binnacle, along with new switches from the Subaru parts bin.
In the USA, the Subaru BRZ will launch with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Toyota GR 86 pictured here appears to have a larger display than that, although it may be reserved for Japan.
As for the styling differences? They’re mostly limited to the front end, where the GR 86 has a grille inspired by that of the GR Yaris flanked by L-shaped trim pieces on the bumper’s edge.
