Road car gets racing revamp
The Toyota 86 is getting rebadged and a Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) upgrade before being available in New Zealand from September.
The GR86 has been revamped by the racing marque. As a result, the sports car is more powerful and its performance has been significantly upgraded.
Enthusiasts wanted a power upgrade and Toyota says it has delivered with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder Boxer delivering 174kW, which is up from 22-27kW, and 250Nm of torque – an increase of 38-45Nm. Additionally, the power-to-weight ratio has been improved.
Steve Prangnell, Toyota NZ’s general manager for product and new vehicles, says TGR is now well-established in this country as the brand for Toyota’s motorsport activities and motorsport-influenced sports cars.
“The new GR86 carries that racing heritage we have developed over 60 years into a street version that’s built for a thrilling driving experience,” he says.
While retaining the same format and shape of the previous 86, the GR86, pictured, has received many improvements. Lateral bending has been improved by about 60 per cent and torsional rigidity has been enhanced by around 50 per cent to provide “pleasurable handling in all speed ranges for urban and performance drivers”.
Prangnell adds: “By bringing car development into the world of motorsport, the demanding conditions of racing allow TGR to hone race and roadgoing vehicles.”
The low-slung two-door coupe styling of the GR86 delivers functional aerodynamic components, including the front air outlets, side skirts and a rear ducktail spoiler designed to enhance dynamic driving characteristics.
Other upgrades include premium 18-inch, 10-spoke matte black alloys, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres for better grip and performance.
The new 2.4-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine drives the rear wheels via a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
With the significant boost in power and torque, the manual can cover the 0-100kph sprint in 6.4 seconds with the automatic coming in at 6.8 seconds.
The front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension has been tuned for performance. Add in a low centre of gravity, “superb balance” and a lightweight stiff chassis, and the new GR86 is an “outstanding” driver’s car.
“The popularity of the 86 is evident by the demand we experienced for the previous GT86, which is now sold out,” says Prangnell. “That tells us that fans still have an appetite for compact, lightweight and affordable sports coupes.”
When the GR86 arrives in New Zealand, it will become the third member of the GR sports-car family by joining the GR Supra coupe and GR Yaris performance hatch.
