Thursday 24th June 2021

Goodwood debut for 2022 Toyota GR 86

Toyota UK lines up next GR superstar for FOS showing

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Now Goodwood Festival of Speed has finally been confirmed, despite that old virus thing, the manufacturer announcements are on their way. But we're not complaining, especially when the news is as promising as this. Yep, the hotly anticipated new Toyota GR 86 will make its debut in the West Sussex gardens for a First Glance and obligatory hill climb, ahead of its on-sale date in the UK in 2022.

The coupe's launch will complete the "Power of Three" trio of models created with Toyota Gazoo Racing following the introduction of the GR Supra and GR Yaris. The latter, in case you hadn't heard, is the best thing to happen to hot hatches since Volkswagen thought the Mk1 Golf might be nicer with a fuel-injected engine doing the pulling.

The GR 86 is obviously the latest development of the much-loved GT86, and although it maintains the core characteristics ("fun, accessible and easy" according to Toyota), it gets a wealth of driver-focused upgrades. Alongside that same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, it's gifted with a more powerful 2.4-litre four-pot.

Dimensions are almost identical to the predecessor, so it still won't fit in your garage. But there is a 50 percent increase in torsional rigidity to help with sharper handling and steering and MacPherson strut suspension and proportionally sized 18-inch wheels. A wealth of aluminium for the roof and body and a kerbweight of 1,270kg claim to make it the lightest four-seat coupe in its class. This much we already knew, of course - but if you want a real-world ogle, check it out at the festival.

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• New Toyota GR 86 - official!

[cerb4.5lee]

Toyota are offering some great performance cars currently I reckon. I'm looking forward to this one as well, and I've always been a big fan of 2+2 coupes.

[Mikee19]

Finally a Toyota Supra

[Lexmaster]

I really like the look of the new 86. I hope there is still some "Sound" left, despite OPF.

[JmatthewB]

I'd like to test one of these when they come out to compare it to my GT86. The looks have grown on me since the initial images. Do dealerships still allow speculative test drives or do you need to be half way through the buying process before you can test drive now?

[SidewaysSi]

This has loads more appeal for me than the Yaris. Let's hope the engine is sorted. Great car.

[CABC]

I hope it has an auto box.

[Olivera]

Like it.

[cerb4.5lee]

SidewaysSi said:

This has loads more appeal for me than the Yaris. Let's hope the engine is sorted. Great car.

Same and I'd rather have this than the Yaris. From what I've seen you sit really high in the Yaris as well, and I personally prefer to sit low when I'm driving a sporty car.

[SidewaysSi]

CABC said:

I hope it has an auto box.

I hope they do away with the manual. Can you imagine the PH threads for the next 20 years...

[flukey5]

Love it, interior could be a little more modern, less 2015 but hey it's better than nothing!

If the new Lotus is a big fat disappointment then at least we'll get this!

[joedesi]

Might get one of these to sit along side my Type R. 2 cars for 60k ish.

[British Beef]

I think 200hp/ton is about the magic number. More than this is great, always great!!

However less than 200hp/ton, gets to the point where overtaking someone travelling close to the speed limit on A and B roads, becomes challenging, unless long well sighted straights or willing to take big risks.

I am in the Yaris GR camp, and like the lofty driving position and the engine power is sufficient to get past slower traffic safely, then enjoy open roads.

Having driven Clios and Megane Renaultsport offering, it is the extra power and midrange that would push me into a Megane, despite preferring the size and drive of the Clio.

[GadgeS3C]

SidewaysSi said:

CABC said:

I hope it has an auto box.

I hope they do away with the manual. Can you imagine the PH threads for the next 20 years...

Perfect revvy engine to bolt to an old school slushbox

Glad my BRZ has the manual - but hey, I was mad enough to buy one and not just moan about them

[cerb4.5lee]

British Beef said:

I am in the Yaris GR camp, and like the lofty driving position and the engine power is sufficient to get past slower traffic safely, then enjoy open roads.

I like the lofty driving position in a SUV, but I definitely prefer sitting lower in a more performance oriented car though. I wasn't a fan of the seating position in my E92 M3, and you felt like you were sat on rather than in with that.

I do like that the Yaris is turbocharged, and I've been saying for years that I'd like a turbo on these as well.

[voram]

I thought Toyota had been struggling to sell many of these so I'm not sure this upgrade is going to make much difference. And I've no idea whether the Subaru version still exists at all.

[leglessAlex]

CABC said:

I hope it has an auto box.

I do too, so I can fit hand controls and actually enjoy driving one! Japanese cars make me sad sometimes, so many are frustrating or impossible for disabled drivers due to a bad or no auto option.

The Article said:

Dimensions are almost identical to the predecessor, so it still won't fit in your garage

Uhh... what? it's a bit less than 1,800mm wide. I'd have thought that easily fits in all but the very smallest garages. If that doesn't fit, very very few modern cars will...

[FaustF]

A new writer?!

Cmon PH you need to introduce newcomers it's a bloody community after all!

[whp1983]

Ah the car everyone says they want…. But no one buys- fair play to Toyota for having another go.

[JmatthewB]

voram said:

I thought Toyota had been struggling to sell many of these so I'm not sure this upgrade is going to make much difference. And I've no idea whether the Subaru version still exists at all.

I think the sales for this in many overseas markets have been decent. In the US they are popular as an entry level sport car for young drivers and modders. And they only around £20k over there when you take into account the exchange rate.

The BRZ isn’t coming to Europe because of the regs regarding average emissions across the range. Toyota can get away with it because they sell loads of hybrids as well.

[Earl of Petrol]

whp1983 said:

Ah the car everyone says they want…. But no one buys- fair play to Toyota for having another go.

Yes that’s true. I think the problem is limited range choice. The outgoing GT86 had a manual/auto option, plus a couple of trim levels and maybe a special editor two. And that’s it. The reason there’s a proliferation of TT’s on the road is choice. This (Toyota) could be sold with bigger/smaller engines, hybrid maybe, or, dare I say a diesel. What about a convertible (MX5 market) or one with a GR Yaris drivetrain.
I like it, and I’d far rather have one than an Audi TT, but I’m in a minority.