The Toyota GR86, a rear-wheel-drive sports car celebrated for its affordability and engaging driving dynamics, is a relatively new name in the automotive landscape. But, its roots run much deeper. The GR86 represents the latest evolution of a lineage that began over a decade ago, a lineage steeped in heritage and designed to rekindle the spirit of accessible sports car ownership. The question on the minds of many car enthusiasts is: What was this thrilling machine called before it adopted the GR86 moniker? The answer lies in understanding the story of the Toyota GT86.
The Birth of the GT86: A Collaborative Effort
The GT86 wasn’t solely a Toyota creation. It was a product of a joint venture with Subaru, resulting in a car sold under multiple badges. The core concept revolved around delivering a lightweight, balanced, and affordable sports car focused on driving pleasure rather than outright power. This philosophy directly addressed a gap in the market, bringing back the joy of simple, unadulterated driving fun.
The Genesis of the Project: Toyota’s 86 Heritage
To truly understand the GT86, we need to delve into its historical inspiration: the Toyota AE86, also known as the Corolla GT-S or Sprinter Trueno depending on the market. This rear-wheel-drive Corolla, produced from 1983 to 1987, achieved legendary status in the drifting scene and among grassroots motorsport enthusiasts. Its light weight, nimble handling, and responsive engine made it a perfect platform for honing driving skills. The GT86 was explicitly designed to recapture the spirit of the AE86, a connection immediately apparent in its name. The “86” in GT86 was a direct reference to this iconic predecessor.
Subaru’s Role: Engineering and the Boxer Engine
Subaru brought its engineering expertise and, crucially, its signature horizontally opposed “boxer” engine to the table. This engine configuration, with its low center of gravity, contributed significantly to the GT86’s balanced handling. The Subaru version of the car was marketed as the BRZ, further highlighting the collaborative nature of the project. While visually similar, there were subtle differences in styling and suspension tuning between the GT86 and the BRZ.
From GT86 to GR86: The Gazoo Racing Transformation
The shift from GT86 to GR86 marked more than just a name change. It signified a deeper involvement from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, the company’s performance arm. This transition brought about improvements in performance, handling, and overall driving experience.
Gazoo Racing: Toyota’s Performance Division
Gazoo Racing (GR) is Toyota’s global racing organization. It is responsible for Toyota’s participation in various motorsport events, including the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The GR division also plays a crucial role in developing high-performance road cars, injecting its racing expertise into the design and engineering process.
Upgrades and Enhancements: The GR86 Advantage
The GR86 received several key upgrades compared to its GT86 predecessor. These included a larger and more powerful 2.4-liter engine, replacing the original 2.0-liter unit. This increase in displacement resulted in noticeable improvements in torque and acceleration. The chassis was also strengthened, and the suspension was retuned to enhance handling and stability. Aerodynamic improvements further contributed to the GR86’s improved performance. These changes firmly positioned the GR86 as a more refined and capable sports car.
The GT86/BRZ/FR-S: A Global Phenomenon
Before the GR86’s arrival, the GT86 and its siblings made a significant impact on the automotive world. They proved that affordable sports cars could still be exciting and engaging to drive.
Scion FR-S: The North American Variant
In North America, the GT86 was initially sold as the Scion FR-S. Scion was Toyota’s youth-oriented brand, and the FR-S was intended to attract younger buyers to the Toyota family. When Scion was discontinued in 2016, the FR-S was rebranded as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year, finally aligning its name with the global GT86 designation.
Similarities and Differences: Understanding the Badges
Despite the different names and badges, the GT86, BRZ, and FR-S were fundamentally the same car. The core mechanical components, including the engine, transmission, and chassis, were shared across all three models. The primary differences lay in styling details, suspension tuning, and available options. These variations allowed each brand to cater to slightly different target audiences.
Why the Name Change? Marketing and Brand Identity
The decision to rebrand the GT86 as the GR86 was driven by a combination of marketing considerations and a desire to strengthen the connection between Toyota’s road cars and its racing heritage.
Aligning with Gazoo Racing: A Strategic Move
By adopting the GR name, Toyota aimed to leverage the credibility and prestige of its Gazoo Racing division. The GR branding signifies a commitment to performance and driving enjoyment, qualities that resonate strongly with sports car enthusiasts. This move helped to elevate the GR86’s image and position it as a true performance vehicle.
Evolving Brand Identity: The Future of Toyota Performance
The GR86 is part of a broader strategy by Toyota to inject more excitement and passion into its brand. Other GR models, such as the GR Supra and GR Corolla, have also been introduced, further solidifying Toyota’s commitment to performance-oriented vehicles. The GR branding represents a new era for Toyota, one where driving pleasure and performance are prioritized alongside reliability and practicality.
The Legacy Continues: GR86 and Beyond
The GR86 builds upon the solid foundation laid by the GT86, BRZ, and FR-S. It represents the next chapter in the story of affordable, engaging sports cars.
Improved Performance: A Worthy Successor
The GR86 offers a noticeable improvement in performance compared to its predecessor. The larger engine provides more torque and acceleration, making the car more responsive and enjoyable to drive. The upgraded chassis and suspension enhance handling and stability, inspiring confidence on the road and track.
The Future of the Platform: What’s Next?
While the current generation of the GR86 is still relatively new, speculation has already begun about the future of the platform. Whether there will be a next-generation model, and what form it might take, remains to be seen. However, the success of the GT86/BRZ/FR-S and the GR86 suggests that there is a strong demand for affordable, engaging sports cars, and that Toyota and Subaru are likely to continue to explore this market segment. The legacy of the “86” is secure, and the future looks bright for fans of rear-wheel-drive thrills.
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What was the name of the GR86 before it became the GR86?
The Toyota GR86 was previously known as the Toyota GT86. This name was used globally for the first generation of the car, which was launched in 2012. The “GT” designation was a nod to Toyota’s grand tourer history, aiming to evoke a sense of sporty performance and driving pleasure.
The switch to “GR86” for the second generation reflected Toyota’s growing Gazoo Racing (GR) performance sub-brand. Gazoo Racing is Toyota’s global motorsports division and has been instrumental in developing performance-oriented vehicles. By adopting the “GR” prefix, Toyota aimed to further emphasize the car’s sporting credentials and connect it more directly with its racing heritage.
Why did Toyota change the name from GT86 to GR86?
Toyota changed the name from GT86 to GR86 to align the sports car more closely with its Gazoo Racing (GR) performance brand. This rebranding strategy aimed to strengthen the connection between Toyota’s racing efforts and its production vehicles, signaling a heightened focus on performance and driving dynamics. It was part of a broader effort to infuse the Toyota lineup with a more exciting and sporty image.
Furthermore, the name change also reflected the deeper involvement of Gazoo Racing in the development of the second-generation car. GR engineers played a significant role in enhancing the GR86’s performance characteristics, including its engine, chassis, and suspension. The “GR” designation serves as a badge of honor, signifying the vehicle’s improved performance and its ties to Toyota’s motorsport activities.
Were there any other names used for the GT86 in different markets?
Yes, while generally known as the Toyota GT86 in most global markets, there were some regional variations in its name. In North America, the same car was also sold as the Scion FR-S. This was due to Toyota’s Scion brand, which was aimed at a younger demographic.
The Subaru version of the car was consistently known as the BRZ across all markets. The shared platform and collaborative development between Toyota and Subaru resulted in essentially the same vehicle with slight styling differences and different branding strategies.
What does the “86” signify in both the GT86 and GR86 names?
The “86” in both GT86 and GR86 is a direct reference to Toyota’s heritage and specifically to the AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno. These rear-wheel-drive Corollas, produced in the 1980s, became incredibly popular among drifting enthusiasts and earned a legendary status.
The numerical designation pays homage to the AE86’s lightweight design, balanced handling, and engaging driving experience. By invoking the “86” name, Toyota aimed to capture the spirit of the original and create a modern sports car that embodies the same fun-to-drive characteristics and appeal to driving enthusiasts.
Did the change in name from GT86 to GR86 coincide with any significant changes to the car?
Yes, the change in name from GT86 to GR86 coincided with a significant redesign and improvements to the car. The second-generation GR86 received a larger and more powerful 2.4-liter engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter unit. This resulted in noticeable improvements in acceleration and overall performance.
In addition to the engine upgrade, the GR86 also featured enhancements to its chassis, suspension, and aerodynamics. These improvements were aimed at enhancing the car’s handling, stability, and overall driving experience. The name change signified not just a rebranding but also a substantial step forward in terms of performance and refinement.
How does the GR86 compare to the GT86 in terms of performance?
The GR86 boasts a notable performance advantage over the GT86. The primary difference lies in the engine: the GR86 features a larger 2.4-liter engine producing more horsepower and torque compared to the GT86’s 2.0-liter engine. This translates to quicker acceleration and a more responsive feel throughout the rev range.
Beyond the engine, the GR86 also benefits from improvements in chassis stiffness and suspension tuning. These enhancements contribute to sharper handling, improved stability in corners, and a more engaging driving experience overall. The GR86 is demonstrably quicker and more refined than its predecessor.
Is the Subaru BRZ affected by this name change from GT86 to GR86?
No, the Subaru BRZ was not directly affected by the name change from Toyota GT86 to GR86. The BRZ maintained its name throughout both generations, as it is a Subaru-branded vehicle and not a Toyota. The model retained its identity as the BRZ without any alterations to its name.
However, the changes made to the Toyota GR86, such as the engine upgrade and chassis improvements, were also implemented in the second-generation Subaru BRZ. This is because both cars are jointly developed and share the same underlying platform and core components. While the name remained consistent, the BRZ benefited from the same performance enhancements as the GR86.