SPORTS CAR GETS MORE POWER WITH GR TREATMENT
The original Scion FR-S became the Toyota 86 in 2017. Regardless of the badge, this coupe was a textbook rear-wheel-drive sports car capable of putting a big smile on the driver's face the instant the road took a turn for the better. After a brief hiatus, the 86 returns for 2022, this time badged as the GR 86 — the GR for Gazoo Racing — and it has undergone an extensive remake.
Beneath the sharper, restyled sheet metal, the GR 86 continues with a horizontally opposed, flat-four boxer engine. The big news is the bore size has been increased, the intake and exhaust systems reworked and the fuel-injection system optimized. This work punches the previous 2.0-litre engine out to 2.4-L and adds more power.
For the trivia buff, part of the 86 nameplate came from the fact that the engine bore and stroke, as well as the exhaust tailpipes, measured 86 millimetres. The upsizing of the engine has nixed part of the reference because of the larger 94-mm bore. The stroke, however, stays at 86-mm, as does the tailpipe diameter.
The 20-per-cent increase in displacement brings a needed power boost. The previous engine really did not pull until the tachometer swept toward 5,000 rpm. In this case, the horsepower rises from 205 to 228, while the torque jumps from 156 pound-feet to 184 lb-ft. More importantly, peak torque now shows up at 3,700 rpm, which is 2,900 rpm earlier than before, and this, says Toyota, gives the new engine a more responsive feel over a broader speed range.
It drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. The manual box had a light clutch and a shifter that snicked sweetly through the cogs, so this aspect carries over.
The biggest plus to the reworked engine is the fact it chops almost a second off the run to 100 km/h. At 6.3 seconds for the GR 86 with a manual transmission, it qualifies as fast. This will put some needed spring in the performance, so the engine promises to be a better match for the 86's sharp handling.
On that note, the glued-tothe-road reputation promises to continue. The low-slung boxer engine brings a lower centre of gravity, while reinforcements for the front and rear subframes increase the torsional rigidity — it jumps by 50 per cent — so everything, including steering feel, promises to be crisper.
As before, you'll find Macpherson struts up front and a double-wishbone design at the back. The outgoing model loved twisty roads, thanks to its hunkered-down feel and sharp reflexes. Likewise, the outgoing car wasn't afraid to hang its tail out when pushed to the max. Hopefully, these lovable traits remain in the new car.
Another plus is the use of an aluminum roof panel and front fenders to keep the curb weight to a nimble 1,270 kilograms, which is basically the same as the outgoing car, in spite of the increase in content and larger engine.
Rounding things out are large disc brakes and 17-inch Michelin Primacy tires on the GR 86, and 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sports on the Premium model. The car also gets a “duckbill” rear spoiler.
Inside, the GR 86 will have an eight-inch infotainment touch screen and six-speaker sound system. The Premium bumps that to an eight-speaker system. Bluetooth, Apple Carplay and Android Auto are all standard.
Ahead of the driver sits a seven-inch instrument cluster that does a little dance whenever the car is started. It also has Normal, Sport and Track themes. The Track theme gives the driver real-time readouts of engine speed, along with water and oil temperatures.
As for the rest of it, the front riders are treated to body-hugging bucket seats — they really do hug without feeling confining. The Premium model wraps them in a nicer Alcantara and leather combination. As before, the back seat is token in nature, hence the 2+2 designation. With the driver's seat set for my short legs, there was still no way I was going to fit behind me.
In the end it matters not, because this is a driver's car that is purchased for the fun factor, not practicality.
When it was introduced, this boxer-engined coupe put a healthy dose of driving fun into Toyota's lineup. The next-generation GR 86 will bring a more driver-focused cabin, more power and promises to have sharper handling, so it will pick up where the previous-generation car left off.
The GR 86 is slated to arrive at dealers in the fall. Full specifications and pricing will be announced closer to launch.