Toyota announces global launch of GR86

Toyota South Africa Motors says local timing for launch as well as sales will be confirmed in 2022.
Phillepus Uusiku
The long-awaited Toyota GR86 is now available for sale in Japan. Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) announced that sales of the all-new GR86 have commenced at GR Garage and Toyota dealers in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The GR86 was jointly developed with Subaru Corporation (Subaru). In September 2019, Toyota and Subaru entered into a new business and capital alliance, and committed to making ever-better cars in new segments including the joint development of the new Toyota bZ4X battery electric vehicle (BEV).

In addition to building New Energy Vehicles, the two companies also share a desire to continue delivering the excitement, thrill, and joy of driving sports cars. To this end, they have also engaged in the joint development of sports cars that embody the unique qualities of both companies.

The GR86 shares the same base as the Subaru BRZ. However, Toyota focused on delivering the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response as well as outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance.

While carrying on the tradition of the 86 and engaging in friendly rivalry with Subaru's BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would realise a GR-like evolution. As a result, the new GR86 has been reborn as a car designed with outstanding driving feel that is both direct and satisfying. Toyota South Africa Motors says local timing for launch as well as sales will be confirmed in 2022.

With fender tops that extend horizontally to the beltline, the GR86 silhouette highlights its appeal as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Its low, horizontal underbody and narrow cabin rear combine to underline the breadth of the vehicle and its low centre of gravity, and hint at its intuitive responsiveness.

The front of the vehicle features the GR-specific Functional MATRIX Grille, which fuses performance and aesthetics. To mark its evolution from the 86 to the GR86, the GR86 logo has also been redesigned.

Interior

The GR86 operating system which includes the horizontally-accented instrument panel and various switches is optimally located to enable the driver to focus on driving.

Equipped with a BOXER Meter, comprising a 7-inch colour screen and LCD metres, the car's opening animation sequence is inspired by the piston movements of the GR86's horizontally opposed engine, and fosters a sense of excitement even before the drive begins.

The metre display embodies the GR86's sports performance, changing according to which driving mode is engaged. NORMAL mode shows the current speed in large numbers inside a circular tachometre in Sports mode available on AT grades only, the edges and rings of the tachometre gauge turn red; TRACK mode takes inspiration from racing car displays, and shows engine speed in large numbers

The GR86 seats deliver a sensation of being at one with the vehicle. The lightweight front seats use independent pads used to support the body, and, in order to withstand the lateral and longitudinal g-forces generated during aggressive sports driving, they are covered in an extremely grippy material. -MOTORPRESS

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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