New Toyota GR86. Car for race tracks and the city

The new GR86 is the third global model in GR's line of true sports cars. It joins the GR Supra and GR Yaris and, like these cars, draws directly on the experience of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team.

The new coupe is set to become an affordable vehicle in the GR range, offering a broad group of buyers access to sporty performance and sporty handling characteristics. The GR86 builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the GT86, which Toyota launched in 2012, resuming sports car production after a gap of several years. The GR86 retains the classic front engine layout that drives the rear wheels. The powertrain is still a high-revving four-cylinder boxer engine, but with larger displacement, more power and more torque. The engine is tuned to a manual or automatic transmission to provide smooth, dynamic acceleration throughout the entire rev range.

Bodywork development work focused on reducing weight and further lowering the center of gravity for crisper, more direct handling. Even more aluminum and other lightweight, strong materials were used to reinforce the structure at strategic locations and provide high rigidity throughout the vehicle. The suspension system has also been carefully tuned to ensure a high quality of handling. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing engineers helped the designers of the GR86 to optimize body parts in terms of aerodynamics.

The GR86 model was first introduced in April 2021. Now the coupe will debut in Europe and will appear in showrooms in the spring of 2022. Its production will be limited to two years, making it a unique offering for Toyota customers, both sports driving enthusiasts and collectors.

New GR86. Driving pleasure

The new GR86 was born as an "analogue car for digital times". It was designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, with the main focus on pure driving pleasure - a feature that is best expressed in Japanese by the phrase "waku doki".

It is important to note that the GR86 was not designed as a sports car for purists and experienced people only. Its strengths can be seen both on the track and in everyday off-road driving.

The new Toyota GR86 will take to an even higher level the features that have earned its predecessor, the GT86, many new fans, contributing to Toyota's presence in automotive culture through amateur sports, track day events and becoming a source of inspiration for tuners and car enthusiasts. sports car companies. For all those who like to personalize their cars, Toyota has prepared a whole range of accessories from the GR line for the new model.

New GR86. Power and performance

2,4 liter boxer engine

The key element of the new GR86, as with the GT86, is the boxer engine, which provides very good performance and a lower center of gravity. The DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder unit uses the same block as the previous car, but has had its displacement increased from 1998 to 2387 cc. This was achieved by increasing the cylinder diameter from 86 to 94 mm.

While maintaining the same compression ratio (12,5:1), the car produces more power: the maximum value has increased by about 17 percent - from 200 hp to 147 hp. (234 kW) up to 172 hp (7 kW) at 0 rpm rpm As a result, the acceleration time from 100 to 6,3 km/h is reduced by more than a second to 6,9 seconds (86 seconds with automatic transmission). The top speed of the GR226 is 216 km/h for the manual transmission car and XNUMX km/h for the automatic transmission version.

The maximum torque has been increased to 250 Nm and is reached earlier at 3700 rpm. (on the previous model, the torque was 205 Nm at 6400-6600 rpm). It provides smooth yet decisive acceleration up to high revs, which contributes to a pleasant driving experience, especially when exiting a corner. The amount of torque is the same for cars with manual and automatic transmission.

The drive has been carefully designed to reduce its weight while increasing its power. Changes include thinner cylinder liners, water jacket optimization and the use of a composite valve cover. The connecting rods have also been strengthened and the shape of the connecting rod bearing and combustion chamber has been optimized.

The D-4S fuel injection system, using both direct and indirect injection, has been tuned for faster accelerator pedal response. Direct injection cools the cylinders, which favors the use of a high compression ratio. Indirect injection operates at low to medium engine load to maximize efficiency.

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Air delivery to the engine has also been improved with a redesigned intake manifold diameter and length, resulting in more linear torque and acceleration. The air intake has been redesigned from its predecessor to optimize airflow. Additional benefits include a new fuel pump design that provides even flow when cornering and a smaller high speed coolant pump designed for high speed operation. A new water-cooled oil cooler has been added, and the thicker radiator design has special guides to increase the amount of cooling air drawn in.

The middle part of the exhaust system has been redesigned, which makes the car emit a solid “grunt” during acceleration, and the Active Sound Control system enhances the sound of the engine in the cabin.

To reduce noise and vibration, the GR86 features new hydraulic aluminum engine mounts and a redesigned, stiffer oil pan design with a new cross rib shape.

New GR86. Gearboxes

The GR86's six-speed manual and automatic transmissions have been tuned for more power and torque. They play an important role in the performance of the car, which is a pleasure to drive.

The use of a new low-viscosity oil and new bearings ensures smooth shifting at higher engine power. To get the most out of the vehicle's potential, the driver can select Track mode or disable the stability control (VSC) system. The shift lever has a short travel and a precise fit in the driver's hand.

The automatic transmission uses paddle shifters that allow the driver to decide whether to change gears. In sport mode, the transmission selects the optimum gear depending on the position of the accelerator and brake pedals and the condition of the vehicle. Additional clutch plates and a new high-performance torque converter have been installed to smoothly utilize the greater engine power.

New GR86. Chassis and handling

Lightweight chassis with high rigidity

Outstanding handling was the hallmark of the GT86. When developing the new GR86, Toyota wanted to create a car that drives exactly the way the driver expects. To ensure that the extra power from the engine translates into satisfying handling and responsiveness, the chassis and bodywork have been designed with lightweight yet strong materials that provide greater rigidity while reducing weight. Additional reinforcements have also been applied in key areas.

At the front, diagonal cross members have been added to connect the suspension to the vehicle's supporting structure, improving load transfer from the front wheels and reducing lateral tilt. High-strength fasteners have been introduced to connect the floorboards and suspension mounts, and the hood has a new internal structure. Thanks to these measures, the rigidity of the front end of the body is increased by 60%.

At the rear, a frame structure connects the top and bottom of the chassis and, like at the front, new links holding the floorboard to the suspension mounts provide improved cornering handling. Body torsional rigidity increased by 50%.

The focus on reducing weight and lowering the vehicle's center of gravity is reflected in the use of strong and lightweight materials in key design areas. These include hot-forged high-strength steels and aluminium. The use of structural adhesives on the entire surface of the chassis improves the distribution of stresses, which determines the quality of the joints of the vehicle's supporting structure.

The roof trim, front fenders and bonnet are made from aluminium, while the redesigned front seats, exhaust system and driveshafts save a few more pounds. This was critical to the near-perfect balance of the new GR86, with its 53:47 front-to-rear mass ratio. This also made it one of the lightest four-seater sports cars on the market, with the lowest center of gravity. Despite the use of additional safety features, the weight of the GR86 is almost the same as that of the GT86.

Suspension

The GR86 uses the same suspension concept as the GT86, namely independent MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, but the chassis has been tuned for even quicker response and greater steering stability. A Torsen limited-slip differential provides cornering traction.

Shock damping and coil spring characteristics have been optimized to keep the car running predictably. An aluminum engine mount bracket was added at the front, and the steering gear mount was reinforced.

Thanks to the more torque generated by the 2,4-litre engine, the rear suspension has been reinforced with a stabilizer bar that is now attached directly to the subframe.

Steering system

The new electric power steering has a ratio of 13,5:1 and requires only 2,5 turns of the GR86 three-spoke steering wheel to go from drag to drag, making the car easy to manoeuvre. The new integrated strut-mounted power steering motor saves weight and takes up less space. The gear mount is reinforced with a rubber bushing of increased rigidity.

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Front and rear ventilated brake discs with a diameter of 294 and 290 mm were installed. As standard, the car is equipped with braking assistance systems - ABS, Brake Assist, Traction Control (TC), Stability Control and Hill Start Assist, as well as an emergency brake warning system.

New GR86, Design

Exterior design and aerodynamics

The silhouette of the GR86 echoes the low, muscular body of the GT86, which echoes the classic concept of a front-engined sports car driving the rear wheels. The car also belongs to the great sports cars of Toyota from many years ago, such as the 2000GT or Corolla AE86 models.

Exterior dimensions are similar to the GT86, but the new car is 10mm lower (1mm tall) and has a 310mm wider wheelbase (5mm). The key to driving pleasure and a positive driving experience is the lowering of the center of gravity, which in the cabin has resulted in the driver's hip point being 2mm lower.

As with the GR Supra, the new LED headlights feature an L-shaped interior layout, while the grille features the typical GR mesh pattern. The new functional texture of the front bumper bar is a sporty feature that helps reduce air resistance.

From the side, the car's silhouette is accentuated by powerful front fenders and bold side sills, while the body line running across the top of the fenders and doors gives the car a solid look. The rear fenders are just as expressive, and the cab narrows towards the rear to emphasize the wide track and low center of gravity. The rear lights, with a strong three-dimensional appearance, merge with the moldings that run across the width of the car.

Based on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's experience in motorsport, a number of aerodynamic elements have been introduced, including a front bar and vents behind the front wheel arches that help control airflow and reduce turbulence around the tires. The black mirrors are curved for better aerodynamics. Ailerons mounted on the rear wheel arches and on the rear bumper help control airflow and improve vehicle stability. In higher trim levels, a spoiler is added to the edge of the tailgate.

Depending on the version, the GR86 is fitted with 17" 10-spoke alloy wheels with Michelin Primacy HP tires or 18" black wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.

Interior - cab and trunk

The interior of the GR86 has been designed to maximize the comfort and ease of use of the systems available in the vehicle. The horizontally positioned instrument panel gives the driver a wide view and helps to focus on driving.

The layout of buttons and knobs around the driver is intuitive and easy to operate. The climate control panel with large LED-lit dials and Piano Black buttons is located on the center console, while the door handles are integrated into the door armrests. The center armrest is functional thanks to cupholders, and also has two USB ports and an AUX socket.

The front sports seats are narrow and provide good body support. They are also equipped with independent support washers. Access to the rear seats is facilitated by a lever mounted on the back of the front seat.

Two interior color schemes reflect the car's dynamic character: black with silver accents or black with details on the upholstery, stitching, floor mats and door panels in deep red. The rear seats fold down with latches in the cabin or with a belt in the luggage compartment. With the rear seatbacks folded down, the cargo area is large enough to fit four wheels, perfect for people who ride their GR86 to track the day's events.

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The GR86's status as a unique sports car is underscored by many details, such as the GR logo animation on the seven-inch display in front of the driver and on the eight-inch touchscreen.

The multimedia system has an increased amount of RAM, which leads to faster operation. It comes standard with a DAB digital tuner, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Additional connectivity options and the ability to charge devices are provided by USB ports and an AUX connector. Thanks to a new communication module, the GR86 is equipped with an eCall system that automatically notifies emergency services in the event of an accident.

The dashboard in front of the driver includes a multi-function display to the left of the centrally located tachometer with a digital speedometer. You can customize the displayed information using the buttons on the steering wheel. In sport mode, the tachometer is illuminated in red.

When the driver selects Track mode, he will be shown a different instrument cluster, which was developed with the participation of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team. The engine speed line, selected gear, speed, and engine and coolant temperatures are displayed to help the driver know the vehicle's parameters at a glance and better match the shift point.

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