Finally, the second generation Toyota 86 has been spied on for the first time. The prototype was caught during tests in the busy streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan Instagram user Kystify who sent the juicy spy material to YouTuber Matt Maran Motoring to share with the whole world. While the clip is only a few seconds long, we’ll take what we can get, because we’ve been waiting a long time for news about the 86.
Toyota and Subaru have officially confirmed plans to continue their tie-up of sports cars in September 2019, when the two Japanese brands announced that there would be follow-ups to the 86 and BRZ respectively. While the rumbling mill has worked extensively, there are no official details yet on the direction that the rear wheel drive couplings will take with the next installation. Fortunately, the adjacent spy video gives us an idea regarding the exterior design of what the Toyota version appears to be.
While the overall shape and proportions are similar, it seems that the front and rear designs are significantly different compared to the current 86. It may just be us, but the heavily camouflaged prototype reminds us somewhat of the 86- based GRMN Sports FR Concept Platinum (pictured above) early 2013 unveiled by Gazoo Racing.
After shooting “GT” from his moniker a few years ago, it turns out that the 86 will once again carry a rear axle, only this time it will be “GR” to signal that Gazoo Racing is involved and the GR Supra and GR Yaris mirror. It is expected that the year 2022 will arrive in the United States, and according to a Toyota insider who claims to be in the know, the car will re-launch in July 2021.
The spy video burns out a rumor from earlier this year by Japanese magazine Best car, claiming that the 86 and its BRZ sister would ride on the same platform as switching to Toyota’s TNGA platform as originally believed. The familiar shape and size point to an update to the existing architecture, in the same vein as the 370Z plagued by Nissan, also indicating a refurbishment of the old bones.
Power will presumably come from a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four with a yet-to-be-confirmed 217 horsepower and 2407 pound-feet (240 Newton-meters) of torque. That would represent a fairly modest bulge of 12 hp and 21 lb-ft (28 Nm) compared to the automatic version of the current 86 and an extra 26 lb-ft (35 Nm) over the manual.
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The new 86 is said to be slightly longer, wider, and lower than its predecessor, while adding a bit of weight. However, take these details with the proverbial sniff of salt, as none of the info at this point is official.
With the prototype apparently carrying the entire production body and lights, it suggests that the 2021 launch is plausible.
