It is unlikely to happen, at least on this platform.
The Toyota 86 (formerly Scion FR–S in the States) and the Subaru BRZ are both on the market for over five years. The 2.0-liter Boxer engine produces a respectable 215 horsepower (152 kilowatts) but buyers demand more power. Although rumors of a turbocharged option were long in the making, new reports have scuttled any plans for the current generation.
Interview with the Australian publication CarAdvice at Geneva Motor Show. Tetsuya Tada, chief engineering for the 86, and new Supra confirmed that a turbocharged motor is not possible.
“When we launched the 86, I received literally millions of questions from all over the globe asking me when the turbo version would be launched. In the interview, Tada stated. “I believe that I often answered that there wouldn’t be a turbo-version, and there were some media articles that Mr. Tada didn’t like a Turbo.”
“It’s not true. Turbos are something I like, but if we have a turbo version 86 that boosts the power, it would mean that the car would need to be completely redesigned.
Tada explained that the current Toyota 86 platform was built to be agile, light and nimble. These proportions would be thrown out of balance if a turbo factory engine was added to the mix. Tada would be content with the results if he had a new platform with a turbocharged motor.
“This means that we must come up with a totally new platform. It’s not just about minor modifications to the engine parts.
Toyota will not make the same mistakes as with the Supra. In a separate interview Tada stated that the Supra’s engine would be much more customizable than the 86. The Supra’s inline-six engine can be easily tuned and will allow the company to increase its output if needed. Let’s hope the next-gen 86 or BRZ follows a similar strategy. Rumors suggest that the two will be available in 2019.