Toyota is known to offer affordable cars which provide a lot of value for the price tag, and the same goes for the 86 lineup since its inception in 2017. When the new generation 86 with the GR badge debuted in 2021, many enthusiasts criticized Toyota for not offering this little but fantastic car with a turbocharged engine. But it appears that Toyota is now beginning to accept the situation and is taking baby steps toward a more potent GR86. But there’s a lot more than what meets the eye.
We all know the current GR86’s capability, not that the previous generation wasn’t a capable vehicle. The Subaru-derived naturally aspirated flat-four has an excellent mid-range, and is also symphonic, thanks to its 7,500 rpm redline. But the icing on the cake would have been the addition of forced induction. Now it has been confirmed by an Australian site, Carsales, that Toyota’s performance wing has developed a small batch of GR 86s that employ a whopping 300-horsepower 1.6-liter three-pot mill, and yes, they are turbocharged, but it’s not what you think.
When asked if the team would use the same 1.6-liter engine found in the GR Corolla in an interview with Carsales, Gazoo Racing chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto replied: “Yes, we are thinking for the future about the possibility of using it, but there are no concrete plans at the moment.” However, these prototypes will only be used to develop carbon-neutral fuels, which could be revolutionary against the EV rush we are witnessing.
Yes, I know. It feels like the concept is so close, yet so far. But considering the craze for the GR86, Toyota could make the turbocharged GR86 official anytime in four years. We have the GR Supra with a manual transmission now. Who saw that coming? On the other hand, Sakamoto clearly stated that the G16E-GTS-equipped GR86 will participate in the Super Taikyu endurance race. For the time being, the GR86 Turbo is a test bed for developing synthetic fuel, but the idea is no more a dream.
It is a matter of if rather than when. However, since the 86 has always been a joint venture of Subaru and Toyota, I believe there is some understanding between the two parties to use the same 2.4-liter flat-four that also powers the BRZ. Adding a turbocharger to the already powerful flat-four would be best, but it is unlikely that the GR86 will feature a completely different powertrain. That does not mean it will never happen since it is already rolling secretly in Japan. A GR86 with all-wheel-drive, the same 300-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-three from the GR Corolla, and a manual gearbox would make the definitive version of the compact sports car.