May Use Toyota Platform

To keep the sports car true to its rear-wheel-drive-roots, it might have to migrate to a Toyota platform.

Although the next-generation Toyota 86, and Subaru BRZ will be rear-wheel-drive, they won’t use a Subaru platform. If the source speaking with Motoring believes it, then so.

The Impreza platform was heavily modified to make the BRZ and 86. Motoring was told by an unnamed source from Subaru that the current SGP (Subaru Global Platform), cannot be modified to make a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. For the BRZ or 86, all-wheel drive was never considered.

This means that the next generation boxer twins will either keep their current platform or move to Toyota’s TNGA architecture. The TNGA platform currently underpins cars such as the Corolla and Camry. This platform will actually reduce weight and improve torsional rigidity – both great things for sports cars. The best part is that the BRZ 86 and 86 will remain rear-wheel driven.

The Toyota has seen a lot of changes since the 2011 launch of their original cars. Their variant was initially launched in the US under the Scion. However, it was later branded as a Toyota in other parts of the world when the Scion brand had been discontinued. Toyota also established its Gazoo racing division. This has no doubt contributed a lot to the development of the second generation car.

Motoring believes that the 2017 GRHV Sports concept is a preview of the next-generation BRZ or 86. Fans can expect a car about the same dimensions as the current generation, but lighter. They’d also get a Supra-styled removable targa roofing panel. However, it would have increased torsional rigidity, which could eliminate the cowl shake that is so common with open-topped cars.

We’re happy that the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 will be around. They’ll also continue to be affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars that are low in cost and high in fun.