Following a report on Toyota trademarking Gazoo
Racing-badged derivatives of the GT86 and Yaris, the Spanish arm of the company
released a short teaser video of the upcoming GR GT86.
The video came with the caption “It’s all a matter
of passion for speed. #GT86 by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing”, translated from Spanish. The more hardcore version of the
Toyota GT86 will arrive near the end of the model’s life cycle, rendering it
probably a proper send-off to the much-praised rear-driven sports coupe.
Expect Gazoo Racing to apply the classic chassis
upgrades to the suspension, the brakes and wheels. In addition, the ‘passion
for speed’ caption has led to rumors about the 2.0-liter flat-four engine
getting a power bump over the standard model but until we have more
information, take it with the necessary grain of salt.
So far, Gazoo Racing has given us the Yaris GRMN, a
limited-run hot hatch powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter with 209 hp and 184 lb-ft
of torque. The sub-brand’s second model is the recently announced Yaris
GR-Sport, which features many of the chassis upgrades of its more powerful
sibling but will be offered only with a hybrid powertrain.
If Toyota’s sub-brand decides to extract more ponies
out of the GT86’s engine, they will probably do it without the use of any kind
of forced induction. Last year Toyota showcased the GR HV Sports concept, which
was based on the GT86 but featured a hybrid powertrain with technology from
their Le Mans racer and a six-speed automatic transmission with a H-pattern
gear selector.
