Chief engineer claims customers expect the next 86 will surpass the Supra.
Toyota took 17 years to develop the Supra and BMW was a partner. But, as the old saying goes, it’s better late than never. The Japanese marque is also taking its time in engineering the next-generation 86, considering that the current car it co-developed with Subaru has existed for more than seven. According to Tetsuya Taka, chief engineer, a new model is on the horizon.
The Toyota representative spoke with WhichCar and revealed that there is a new 86 team. Their goal is to make this second-generation rear-wheel-drive coupe more enjoyable to drive than the Supra. Tada claims that customers expect the 86 to be even more exciting than the A90. Therefore, Toyota is working to develop “a new 86” that rivals the Supra.
Toyota has repeatedly updated the current-gen86 through special versions such as the Hakone or the TRD Handling Package. But, fans of the agile coupe are eager to find out what Toyota is doing for the successor. Although Tada declined to give any information about the car’s future, latest Japanese intel suggests that the new 86 and its BRZ sibling could switch from the 2.0-liter engine to a larger 2.4 liter unit sourced from Subaru Ascent.
The jury is still out on whether the engine will be turbocharged or naturally aspirated. According to some reports, the former could produce 230 horsepower while the latter with forced intake could make 260 horsepower like the SUV. No matter what the situation, an increase in power over the 205 horsepower of the current Toyobaru is more than welcome.
The matter of platforms is also important. The current 86 rides on a modified Subaru Impreza design. The next generation could see this change as a report suggests that the car will move to Toyota’s TNGA platform. Subaru’s Global Platform (SGP), which is the latest version of the Subaru Impreza architecture, can’t be modified to make a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Some believe the 86 and its BRZ twin could be converted to Mazda’s new rear wheel-drive platform. This would be really interesting.
Toyota plans to make a smaller, but not less expensive, sports car and a next-gen 86. Meanwhile, it is working on the GR Super Sport hypercar that has nearly 1,000 horsepower.