Subaru And Toyota Need To Pick The Fast Lane With Next-Generation BRZ/86
There are lots of rumors about the next-generation BRZ and Toyota 86 coupes that will be coming soon. There are spy shots of a slightly camouflaged BRZ on the Nurburgring and testing recently against the Alpine A110 and Mazda MX-5. Because Subaru and Toyota didn’t bring previews of the new BRZ and Toyota 86 to the Tokyo Motor Show in October, speculation continues as to what the automakers are up to.
We do know Subaru and Toyota engineers are working on the next-generation model now and the new models will likely make their global reveal sometime next year. It’s all speculation at this point if Subaru will use the FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, but that would be an excellent choice to give the BRZ/86 more power.
2020 Subaru BRZ
Subaru and Toyota will stay with the Subaru Boxer flat-four because of its design that sits low in the chassis and lowers the center of gravity in the two-door sports coupe. It’s what gives the BRZ/86 it’s excellent driving dynamics in the corners. It’s why Toyota wanted to use the Subaru Boxer powerplant in the first place.
The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 are not big sellers and will never be large volume models but they aren’t designed for that. Toyota sees the 86 sports coupe as a “powerful brand ambassador” according to Toyota’s European marketing boss Matt Harrison. “Its role is not one particularly about volume globally. It’s about adding excitement to the brand and emotional appeal,” Harrison says.
2020 Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86
Subaru and Toyota need to keep the price as low as possible, because its other main attraction besides driving dynamics, is its affordability. So don’t worry about any large price increases for the new sports coupe twins.
What would make performance fans happier would be for the next-generation BRZ and Toyota 86 to be upgraded with a turbocharged Boxer engine, new exterior styling, and new technology inside.
An unnamed Toyota source told the Japan Times, the new BRZ/86 two-door coupe will arrive sometime in 2021. Nothing has been confirmed by Subaru or Toyota, but they need to pick a lane for the next-generation BRZ/86. The fast lane would be best.
You Might Also Like: More Excitement, Emotional Appeal Is Coming For Next-Gen Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ
Denis Flierl has invested nearly 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates!
Photo credit: Subaru USA