Photo: edited by autoevolution
Although Toyota owns 20 percent of Subaru’s parent Fuji Heavy Industry, the Japanese automaker is considering abandoning ship with the starred blue oval and go over to BMW for further developing the GT 86 affordable sportscar.
Speaking with Drive Australia, Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada basically said the next generation Toybaru might turn into a Toybimmer as part of the two companies’ current collaboration over batteries and new sportscar.
Asked if Subaru would remain plugged in the 86’s development, Tetsuya said “maybe, but this is not decided yet.” The next question was if BMW could fit in the project and Tetsuya-san replied “that is one possibility.”
Further questioning disclosed the next generation Toyota GT 86 also being in the works. The company is evaluating different engine replacements and is even considering borrowing some of their hybrid racing technology and fit it an electric motor and supercapacitors.
This will still allow for a highly responsive naturally aspirated engine while also increasing power and reducing fuel consumption. An inline four-cylinder engine is also in discussion, which will probably be provided by BMW if the companies decide to collaborate.
Whatever Toyota is going to do with the German automaker, we hope the end result won’t weight two tons. But until then, a mid-life cycle for the GT 86 is Toyota’s priority as Tetsuya-san also said.
Due to arrive in 2015, the refreshed GT 86 will likely have more power from either a bored flat-four or a GAZOO Racing upgraded exhaust and intake systems along with a modified final drive ratio.
For 2014, the GT 86 got changed a bit, receiving a retuned suspension, shark fin antenna, different dashboard trimming, new key fob and a few other minor changes, neither of them affecting power output unfortunately.
Asked if Subaru would remain plugged in the 86’s development, Tetsuya said “maybe, but this is not decided yet.” The next question was if BMW could fit in the project and Tetsuya-san replied “that is one possibility.”
Further questioning disclosed the next generation Toyota GT 86 also being in the works. The company is evaluating different engine replacements and is even considering borrowing some of their hybrid racing technology and fit it an electric motor and supercapacitors.
This will still allow for a highly responsive naturally aspirated engine while also increasing power and reducing fuel consumption. An inline four-cylinder engine is also in discussion, which will probably be provided by BMW if the companies decide to collaborate.
Whatever Toyota is going to do with the German automaker, we hope the end result won’t weight two tons. But until then, a mid-life cycle for the GT 86 is Toyota’s priority as Tetsuya-san also said.
Due to arrive in 2015, the refreshed GT 86 will likely have more power from either a bored flat-four or a GAZOO Racing upgraded exhaust and intake systems along with a modified final drive ratio.
For 2014, the GT 86 got changed a bit, receiving a retuned suspension, shark fin antenna, different dashboard trimming, new key fob and a few other minor changes, neither of them affecting power output unfortunately.
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