All-new Toyota GR 86 to debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

KUALA LUMPUR: First revealed in an online presentation in April this year, the all-new Toyota GR86 made its US debut earlier this month and now the rear-wheel-drive coupe is ready to land on the UK shores. It will make its on-road debut in the Old continent this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. 

The sports car will make its appearance on the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex from 8 to 11 July. It will showcase its handling and agility on Goodwood’s famous hill course and festival goers will be able to see it riding on the Goodwood Hill and get up close to it in the First Glance Paddock. According to Toyota, this will be “an early public preview before the car going on sale in the UK during 2022.”

Being a successor of the GT86, the Toyota GR 86 is made to deliver the purest joys of driving. It maintains the core characteristics of the predecessor by retaining the same classic front-engine, and rear-wheel-drive configuration. However, it gets a new and more potent 2.4-litre horizontally opposed four-popper mill, which delivers a maximum power of 232 hp and a peak torque of 250 Nm.

Complementing the upgraded chassis are new sporty Michelin Pilot 4S tyres, and MacPherson strut suspension at the front, and a double-wishbone setup at the back. Details derived from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s are designed aero parts, such as the front air ducts and rocker panels. 

Added to the changes are a 50% increase in the torsional rigidity for sharper handling and steering and the inclusion of weight-shedding components. These include aluminium for the roof and body panels that help in making the four-seat coupe lightest in its class, the provisional kerb weight is rated at 1,270 kg. Other dimensions are almost identical to the predecessor i.e. 4,265 mm length, 1,775 mm width, 1,310 mm height, and 2,575 mm wheelbase.

It is to be noted that Toyota jointly developed the new GR 86 in association with Subaru, as the two companies made a new business and capital alliance in September 2019.

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