Toyota could rename its sports car GR86

It is true that the devastating news that the Subaru BRZ will not reach Europe was not welcome news for many. However, our hopes are pinned on Toyota, a brand that not only has very low emissions, but also works hand in hand with Subaru to develop their respective sports cars. And, just as happened with the first generation of both the GT86 and the BRZ, both models will share mechanics and platform in this second generation, allowing us to enjoy at least one of the two in the old continent.

That’s right, everything points to the new Toyota GT86 indeed reaching Europe, although with significant changes that go beyond the styling and mechanics. The Japanese firm is apparently going to take advantage of the generation change to introduce a new name, switching to be called GR86.

This designation should not surprise us either, since Toyota uses it across all of its sporty products, such as the GR Supra or the GR Yaris. That acronym stands for Gazoo Racing, the special vehicles division of the Japanese firm and, without a doubt, the new Toyota GR86 fits squarely into that lineup. Nevertheless, there is also another possibility for this new suffix that is being discussed and that is starting to be talked about a lot.

Indeed, except for the Supra, which for the moment will have no further versions -although one is expected-, the rest of the models that use this designation do so to refer to the top of the range. What does this mean? Well, if a Toyota GT86 reaches the market and not a GR86 as many suggest, they could be reserving this latter suffix for an even more radical variant of the Japanese sports car.

If so, we would be talking about a GT86 powered by a 220 CV naturally aspirated four-cylinder. However, the GR86 designation could be used not for a higher-power variant, but for a lighter and sportier option in its tuning, this latter strategy being the most consistent and faithful to the concept that the Toyota GT86 represents.

For the moment we do not know the arrival date for the second generation of the Japanese sports car. However, on November 18 its twin brother, the Subaru BRZ, will be unveiled, so we will be able to learn much more details about the future Toyota GT86 or, failing that, GR86.