Turbo power for new Toyota 86

More details have emerged about the next-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, and it’s the news we’ve all been waiting for.

A replacement for the original affordable compact rear-drive coupe twins released back in 2012 was previewed by the sleek hybrid convertible GR HV Sports Concept (pictured) at the 2017 Tokyo motor show and then officially confirmed last September when Toyota upped its stake in Subaru to beyond 20 per cent.

Now Autocar says the new Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, which are due for release within 18 months in the first half of 2021, will be based on an all-new rear-wheel drive platform derived from Toyota’s latest New Global Architecture because the new Subaru Global Platform is not suited to a rear-drive application.

Japanese reports suggest, however, that power will come from a bigger 2.4-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder boxer petrol engine, which replaces Subaru’s 3.6-litre boxer six in the next-generation Subaru Liberty and Outback, which are yet to arrive in Australia.

The same engine already produces 195kW in those models, meaning power could rise from 152kW in the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat four of the current 86/BRZ to around 200kW.

The move to forced induction should also almost double peak torque, from 212Nm to beyond 375Nm, but could go against all the reasons Toyota has given to justify its lack of a turbo 86/BRZ until now – throttle response, weight, simplicity and cost.

When it comes to the latter, therefore, it’s unclear whether the next Toyota 86 will remain as affordable as the original, which was first launched at $29,990 but currently opens at $31,440 ($35,270 for the BRZ).

But given Toyota Australia’s reluctance to introduce the new 2.0-litre turbo version of the Supra, which currently starts at $84,900 in turbo six form, prices look set to go up not down.

Autocar also reports that, as expected, the Japanese brand’s new entry-level sports coupe will be badged as the Toyota GR 86, bringing it into line with the upcoming GR Yaris hot hatch and the GR Supra.

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda’s beloved Gazoo Racing road car range will be topped a street-legal limited-edition version of the Japanese giant’s upcoming 2021 Le Mans racer, based on the Toyota GR Super Sports concept.