Now that we got to meet the Toyota GT 86 and the Subaru BRZ at the Tokyo Motor Show, we cans say that we are pleased with what we’ve seen, but we also have one major problem: the fact that the two are almost identical is an big turn-off.
However, it seems that the companies are working on a much more plan that will bring the desired diversity to the Toyobaru project.
We previously reported that Subaru is expected to release a high performance of the BRZ, which should use a turbocharged STI-tuned engine to deliver around 300 hp. Now it seems that Toyota is also working on a beefed up version of the GT 86. which will be entirely different, using a supercharger to bring the power up.
The chief engineer of the GT 86 project, Tetsu Tada told autocar that the hot version of the car is already in the phase in which multiple prototypes are being tested.
The project is being handled by Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), which is looking to add a supercharger kit to the current Subaru 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. TRD is no stranger to supercharging vehicles, with the division using this practice for Toyota models since 1998. The vehicle will obviously receive suspension tweaks in order to cope with the extra power.
In addition to that, Tada also revealed performance info on the GT 86, letting it slip that the standard car needs 6.8 seconds to cover the 0 to 62 mph sprint time and offers a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).
If we put the pieces of the Toyobaru puzzle together it all makes sense: use a common tech side for the entry-level models to allow the cars to come with a reasonable price - a core value for the project and move to the high-spec models for technical goodies that give each of the models a distinct personality.
However, we still have one question left: will the 300 hp (let’s say that this will be the value) turbocharged BRZ and supercharged GT 86 be able to offer a more interesting package than the best hot hatches on the market? They will probably outshine the compacts in terms of feeling, but we're also talking about numbers here...
As for the Scion FR-S, Scions have never actually backed their sporty claims with a matching tech side, so receiving a hot version might not be such a priority for the car. We're not saying it won't get one, but it's jsut not as important as in the case of its sister models.
We previously reported that Subaru is expected to release a high performance of the BRZ, which should use a turbocharged STI-tuned engine to deliver around 300 hp. Now it seems that Toyota is also working on a beefed up version of the GT 86. which will be entirely different, using a supercharger to bring the power up.
The chief engineer of the GT 86 project, Tetsu Tada told autocar that the hot version of the car is already in the phase in which multiple prototypes are being tested.
The project is being handled by Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), which is looking to add a supercharger kit to the current Subaru 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. TRD is no stranger to supercharging vehicles, with the division using this practice for Toyota models since 1998. The vehicle will obviously receive suspension tweaks in order to cope with the extra power.
In addition to that, Tada also revealed performance info on the GT 86, letting it slip that the standard car needs 6.8 seconds to cover the 0 to 62 mph sprint time and offers a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).
If we put the pieces of the Toyobaru puzzle together it all makes sense: use a common tech side for the entry-level models to allow the cars to come with a reasonable price - a core value for the project and move to the high-spec models for technical goodies that give each of the models a distinct personality.
However, we still have one question left: will the 300 hp (let’s say that this will be the value) turbocharged BRZ and supercharged GT 86 be able to offer a more interesting package than the best hot hatches on the market? They will probably outshine the compacts in terms of feeling, but we're also talking about numbers here...
As for the Scion FR-S, Scions have never actually backed their sporty claims with a matching tech side, so receiving a hot version might not be such a priority for the car. We're not saying it won't get one, but it's jsut not as important as in the case of its sister models.
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