Tag Archives: toyota gr86

NEWS

2026 Toyota GR86 Yuzu Edition arrives in the U.S. market

1 Comment

Eleven years ago, Toyota launched a special edition sports car under the youth-oriented Scion brand, known as the Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0.

Unfortunately, due to lackluster demand, the Scion brand was discontinued just two years after the FR-S model was introduced.

Now, the spirit of that limited edition car returns with the 2026 GR86 Yuzu Edition, specifically for the American market.

Starting with the Premium variant, Toyota has added a Performance Package that includes Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers to this yellow GR86.

Buyers can also opt for accessories such as a body kit and a quad-tip exhaust system for a more striking appearance.

Lastly, the exterior of this vehicle is enhanced with Yuzu Yellow, complemented by matte black 18-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin of the GR86 features yellow stitching, replacing the red thread found in existing models.

In terms of power, the GR86 Yuzu Edition retains the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, producing 228 hp and 250 Nm of torque, with the option of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

As standard, this rear-wheel-drive car is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD).

Unlike the FR-S Release Series 1.0, which was limited to 1,500 units, Toyota makes the GR86 Yuzu Edition even more special with only 860 units to be produced.

NEWS

2024 SEMA: Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept features GR Yaris engine and AWD GR-Four!

In addition to its lineup of custom trucks, Toyota has a special ‘menu’ to showcase at the SEMA 2024 exhibition.

This special offering is the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept, which boasts a design inspired by the 1990s Toyota Celica WRC rally cars.

In addition to its Castrol-inspired livery, this GR86 is equipped with striking red mud flaps, white rims, a Celica GT-Four-style rear wing, and a cluster of floodlights on the hood.

More remarkably, this GR86 is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine that delivers 300 hp and 370 Nm of torque, paired with the GR-Four all-wheel drive system borrowed from the GR Corolla model.

Fitting the GR Corolla’s engine and drivetrain into the GR86 was no simple task.

Engineers had to design custom subframes and engine mounts before integrating the complete engine along with the hubs, spindles, and front axles from the Corolla.

Additionally, the GR86 is equipped with a rear differential to maintain the original gear ratios.

Inside the cabin, you’ll find racing seats and steering wheels from Sparco, a safety cage, and a sequential racing transmission shifter replacing the original manual gearbox.

With the debut of the GR86 Rally Legacy, does this mean Toyota is ready to offer a Celica model to its fans in the future?

NEWS

New gen GR86 to replace Subaru boxer engine with GR Yaris inline-3 turbo – report

The tighter current emission regulations have forced Toyota to shorten the lifespan of the existing rear-wheel-drive GR86 model to make way for a replacement model.

According to a report from the Japanese media Best Car Web, the new generation Toyota GR86 will replace the existing 2.4-liter naturally aspirated Subaru flat-four engine with the G16E-GTS three-cylinder engine found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

This ‘heart’ change is seen as a game-changer for the GR86, considering the purest Toyota sports car has relatively low horsepower (228 hp) compared to its competitors. For comparison, the GR Yaris and GR Corolla can produce 300 hp each.


In addition to the engine swap, Toyota will also add a hybrid system to the new GR86 with a setup similar to that found in the off-road SUV model Land Cruiser Prado (250 Series). Overall, this new GR86 can unleash more than 300 hp to power the rear wheels through a choice of manual or automatic transmission.

This is not the first time news of a powertrain change for the GR86 has been reported. According to the same source last year, Toyota was said to be replacing the Subaru platform to make way for the shorter Lexus IS chassis.

Certainly, the new generation Toyota GR86 with its hybrid engine setup seems poised to close the existing power gap in the compact sports car segment and at the same time delight its fans worldwide.

NEWS

This school will teach you how to drive fast on snow using the GR Corolla

Starting in 2025, a driving school in Colorado will be using a lineup of Toyota Gazoo Racing sports cars, namely the GR Supra, GR86, and GR Corolla for winter driver education program.

This high-performance driving program will offer courses lasting one or two days, where each student will be given driving instructions on a track covered in ice and snow in Steamboat Springs.

The GR lineup will be provided in both manual and automatic versions to allow drivers from various backgrounds to experience handling these high-adrenaline machines for themselves. However, for the regular driving program, the school will still maintain the use of Toyota all-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Camry sedan, Highlander SUV, and 4Runner.

Opened since 1983, the Bridgestone Winter Driving School has been responsible for providing driving instructions to nearly 100,000 drivers to be more confident driving in low-grip road conditions.


For us, a great program like this should be extended to Malaysians, especially sports car and electric vehicle (EV) owners, so they can learn to handle high-powered cars in various weather conditions.

Although Malaysia does not have a snow season, these skills can be applied to driving on slippery roads, especially considering the recent high rainfall in our country.

The fact is, many people can afford fast cars, but only a few have the awareness to upgrade their own skills.