A fresh report out of Japan suggests that Toyota will launch its second-generation 86 sportscar in 2021, complete with a new 2,4-litre version of its boxer engine.
According to The Japan Times, the automaker has commenced development of its next 86 with Subaru, with the increase in engine size from the current 2,0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder unit set to bring both improved performance and an even lower centre of gravity.
As before, Subaru will market a BRZ-badged version of the rear-wheel-drive sportscar, although the report suggests this model will feature more driver assistance kit (and perhaps even a version of the Shibuya-based brand’s EyeSight system) than its 86-badged cousin.
In 2012, the two Japanese brands launched the first generations of their jointly developed sportscar twins, which each receiving a light facelift in 2016.
Earlier in 2017, Toyota South Africa Motors pared back its local 86 range from three derivatives to just one, while also switching over to the GT86 badge used in some other markets (Subaru, meanwhile, pulled the BRZ from the local market as long ago as September 2015).
The naturally aspirated boxer-four in the current 86 makes 147 kW and 205 N.m, and is linked to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission (the automatic model is no longer offered in SA).
