Toyota 86 by Gazoo Racing teased

A wicked-up version of the venerable Toyota 86 sports coupe appears all but confirmed.

Toyota’s Spanish division has teased the Toyota 86 by Gazoo Racing (GR) overnight, just days after the new model was outed by a trademark filing.

It is not yet known whether Toyota Spain is flying the development flag or whether the parts have been sourced under an arrangement with Subaru, but the Toyota 86 by Gazoo Racing is set to build on the existing 86 in Australia (pictured).

There are no details around exactly what -- if anything -- GR has done under the bonnet of its fettled 86, other than the vague caption “it’s all a matter of passion for speed”. The cryptic message is accompanied by a short teaser video in which the newcomer performs circle work in a paddock.

The "passion for speed" reference would usually suggest the Toyota 86 is in line for a significant power upgrade, such as a turbocharger installation. However, Toyota sports car chief Tatsuya Tada has been vehemently against the idea in the past, insisting it would undo all that is inherently good about the Japanese car-maker’s compact rear-drive sports coupe.

There’s also the idea of a hybrid installation, already previewed by the GR HV concept, but the jury is out on the likelihood of that occurring, too.

Instead, a betting man might suggest the changes are likely to be more around stiffer suspension, additional bracing and lighter components from the Toyota 86's twin, the Subaru BRZ.

The news comes as the first-generation 86, introduced in 2012, enters the twilight of its model cycle. Toyota’s Australia arm recently extended its 86 Racing Series for a further three years, which suggests an 86 replacement is due at the end of 2020.

GR is a performance sub-brand that Toyota and Gazoo Racing launched in 2017 as a rival to Nissan's NISMO division and the Ford Performance portfolio.

Toyota has confirmed its GR performance sub-brand will be launched in Australia alongside the born-again Toyota Supra in the second half of next year.

Apart from the Toyota 86, the GR moniker is expected to adorn a range-topping version of the fifth-generation A90 Supra, as well as a hot-hatch version of the new Corolla and a million-dollar Toyota hypercar previewed by the GR Super Sport concept.