The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are 2+2 sports cars jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, manufactured at Subaru's Ōta, Gunma assembly plant.
The 2+2 fastback coupé has a naturally aspirated boxer engine, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration, 53/47 front/rear weight balance and low centre of gravity; it was inspired by Toyota's earlier AE86, a small, light, front-engine/rear-drive Corolla variant widely popular for Showroom Stock, Group A, Group N, Rally, Club and drift racing.
For the first-generation model, Toyota marketed the sports car as the 86 in Asia, Australia, North America (from August 2016), South Africa, and South America; as the Toyota GT86 in Europe; as the 86 and GT86 in New Zealand; as the Toyota FT86 in Brunei, Nicaragua and Jamaica and as the Scion FR-S (2012–2016) in the United States and Canada.
The second-generation model is marketed by Toyota as the GR86 as part of the Gazoo Racing (GR) family.
Name The development code of the 2+2 was 086A and the eight six (Hachi-Roku in Japanese), references the historic 1983 to 1987 AE86.
Pre-launch concept cars Initial layout and design elements for the 86 were presented by Toyota using its "FT" (Future Toyota) concept car nomenclature. The first was the Toyota FT-HS, which was presented at the North American International Auto Show in 2007. It had a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout and 2+2 seating and was powered by a V6 engine with hybrid electric assistance. In 2008, Toyota bought 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries, which includes the Subaru automotive brand. Toyota, led by project leader Tetsuya Tada, then invited Subaru to partner in the project, by co-developing the new D-4S boxer engine. The offer, which conflicted with Subaru's reputation for high performance all-wheel drive (AWD) cars, was rejected. The project came to a six-month halt before Toyota invited journalists and Subaru engineers to test a developmental prototype. Following the test, Subaru agreed to become further involved in development.
The collaboration produced a concept car, the FT-86 Concept, which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. Smaller than the FT-HS, the design of the FT-86 was further refined by Toyota's ED2 design studio while the hybrid V6 powerplant was replaced by the new D-4S boxer. Subaru provided the chassis, modifying it from their Impreza. The custom red paint was based on the backside of a Japanese macaque. Classic Toyota sports cars such as the AE86, Celica and Supra were cited as inspirations for the concept.
At the 2010 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota launched its G Sports line of aftermarket accessories, along with the FT-86 G Sports concept car. It featured G Sports carbon fibre panels, a vented bonnet, rear wing, wheels, Recaro race seats, and an interior rollcage. The D-4S engine also added a turbocharger.
In 2011, Toyota and Subaru unveiled five near-production concept cars to show their progress with the project. The first, known as the FT-86 II Concept, was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. ED2 refined the design of the initial FT-86, by developing new front and rear fascias, and marginally increasing the dimensions of the concept. At the same show, Subaru unveiled a transparent silhouette of the car showing the new D-4S boxer engine and displayed the "Boxer Sports Car Architecture".
Scion followed in April 2011 at the New York International Auto Show with the FR-S Sports Coupé Concept, co-developed with aftermarket tuner Five Axis. Another semi-transparent Subaru concept, known as the BRZ Prologue, was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show that September, followed in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show by the BRZ Concept STi, the first full mock-up of Subaru's version of the 86 with input from Subaru Tecnica International (STI).
First generation (ZN6/ZC6; 2012)
Development and production The production Toyota 86 debuted at the December 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Its development was led by chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. All variants are built at Subaru's Gunma Main Plant, with the first cars assembled on 2 February 2012 before sales began in March and deliveries in April. 7,000 orders were placed for the Toyota 86 in the first month of production, while Subaru took in 3,500 orders.
In the United States, Scion were allocated 10,000 units of the 2013 model year (MY13) production, while Subaru was limited to only 6,000 units.
Engineering The 86's low-weight design uses an aluminium bonnet, a fixed roof, and a boot as opposed to a hatchback. To improve driving dynamics, the boxer engine is mounted low in a front engine / rear drive layout, yielding a weight distribution of 53% in front and 47% in the rear and a low centre of mass height.
The 86's engine, known by the Toyota code 4U-GSE and Subaru code FA20, is a naturally aspirated engine that uses Subaru's flat-four engine design, with the addition of Toyota's D-4S injection system, which uses Gasoline direct injection (GDI). With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, its engine runs on 98 RON (premium unleaded) fuel and features a compression ratio of 12.5:1 with a bore and stroke of for a total displacement of that results in at 7,000 rpm and of torque at 6,400 rpm.
The 86, BRZ and FR-S are offered with two six-speed transmissions: an in-house developed Toyota TL70 manual gearbox (based on Aisin AI's AZ6) and an Aisin-Warner A960E automatic transmission, which is modified from that used on the Lexus IS 250. The latter uses a traditional wet torque converter design, but its software has been engineered to mimic the response of a dual-clutch transmission. The automatic transmission uses three different modes: Sport, Snow, and Normal. A torsen style limited-slip differential is standard on most models.
The vehicles are offered with 16" steel and alloy wheels fitted with Yokohama dB Decibel E70 tyres in 205/55 size or 17" alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Primacy HP tyres in 215/45 size, depending on sales market. The limited editions Toyota Racing Development (TRD) GT86 models are instead offered with 18" forged aluminium wheels, which are fitted with either Yokohama Advan Sport tyres or Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres in 225/40 size, also depending on market. The braking systems vary between models and countries:
Dual-piston front sliding calipers, single-piston rear sliding calipers, 294/290 mm ventilated disks (front/rear) – US market, EU markets, higher trim levels on most other markets Dual-piston front sliding calipers, single-piston rear sliding calipers, 277 mm ventilated disks front / 286 mm solid disks rear – lower trim levels on most other markets Four-piston front fixed calipers, two-piston rear fixed calipers, 326/316 mm ventilated disks (front/rear) – Performance Pack cars Six-piston front fixed calipers, four-piston rear fixed calipers, 355 mm two-piece / 345 mm ventilated disks (front/rear) – TRD Edition cars
Suspension design comprises front MacPherson struts and double wishbones at the rear.
In 2016, for the 2017 model year, the manual transmission 86 was upgraded to and . The final drive ratio was changed from 4.10 to 4.30.
Design The 86's rear-wheel drive configuration and front-mounted flat boxer engine allow a low centre of gravity for strong handling characteristics. The bodywork has a .
According to the 86's designers, "The goal was to create an authentic rear-wheel drive sports car with compelling style, exceptionally balanced performance and handling, flexible utility and surprising MPG." When asked about the TRD version of the car, the lead engineer Mr. Tada said "There is definitely going to be a more TRD oriented variant down the line. However any of the parts that would be standard on the TRD model will fit on your current Toyota 86 so there is no need to wait."
The design of the GT86 was inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, as part of the concept of 'Neo Functionalism' (the idea that the cars driving quality and appearance were part of its functionality). 2000GT references were especially apparent in the side profile, windows and dashboard of the car.
The 86 "boxer" side badge appears on all Toyota and Scion versions of the car, but not the Subaru BRZ. Aside from badging, the main differences between the 86/GT86 and the BRZ are the front grilles and bumper bars.
The car included numerous references to the number 86: the engine bore and stroke is 86mm x 86mm the diameter of the exhaust tip is also 86mm.
Interior
The interior uses low mounted front seats and fold down rear enabling increased storage space. The FR-S and base 86 models have cloth seats with all black interior trim with a black patterned dash trim, and shift boot red stitching. The BRZ has two available interiors, one identical to the FR-S but with silver dash trim, a red stitched parking brake boot, black gauge faces (instead of the white tachometer of the 86 GTS models) and a touch-screen navigation head unit; the second interior to leather and Alcantara heated seats, automatic HVAC controls, and a push-button start. The top-of-the-range 86 models are fitted like the BRZ except as noted above, and the Japanese interior can be had in black and red leather and Alcantara or full black leather and Alcantara.
Performance Top speed: (as tested) Acceleration: : 7.6 seconds (manufacturer's claim) : 6.0–6.2 seconds (estimated) Standing 1/4 Mile: 14.7–14.9 seconds (estimated).
Toyota 86, GT86 and FT86 The Toyota 86 is available in Japan from Toyota's Netz Store and Corolla Store line of dealerships; the 1983–1987 Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin were also sold at the same networks. Four trim levels are offered, with the RC model being the base aimed at people wishing to modify or race their vehicles. This model is available with only a six-speed manual transmission and comes with unpainted bumpers and mirrors, 16 inch steel wheels, simpler interior trim components, analogue speedometer and no stereo or air conditioning. Outside Japan, the RC model is only available in New Zealand. The G model adds all the interior components missing from the RC, plus a fully painted exterior and 16 inch alloy wheels and the availability of an automatic transmission. The GT86 model adds high intensity discharge headlights with LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, automatic climate control, keyless start with engine start button, 17 inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tips, white tachometer face with analogue and digital speedometer, silver accents on the centre dash and steering wheel, aluminium pedals. The top-of-the-range GT Limited adds leather and Alcantara seating and a rear spoiler.
In Europe, GT86 models are generally the same as the Japanese 86 GT with a red/black leather/Alcantara interior with red stitching. In the United Kingdom, the Japanese G model is sold as the GT86 Primo and the car has also been available as a limited edition Toyota Racing Development "TRD GT86", which features: 18 inch forged aluminium wheels with Yokohama Advan Sport tyres; full bodykit with front and side skirts, rear spoiler and new diffuser; quad-exhaust system; TRD-branded detailing on the filler cap, radiator cap and gear knob. In New Zealand, the TRD 86 is sold with the above features except for Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres instead plus upgraded TRD braking system. Options not available to all markets include a Bose sound system upgrade.