Production of a second-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ has been officially confirmed -- and both all-new rear-wheel drive coupes are due on sale within 18 months.
As we reported last week, close-to-production concepts of the new 86 and BRZ are expected to be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show next month, before a global launch of both models in the first half of 2021.
It’s already touted the new-generation sports car twins will likely be based on a rear-wheel drive version of Toyota’s latest TNGA platform, and powered by a low-mounted engine matched to manual and automatic transmissions.
Toyota revealed a concept widely expected to preview the next 86 at the last Tokyo motor show in 2017, called the GR HV Sports Concept (pictured).
Toyota and Subaru jointly announced the 86/BRZ news late last week, as part of a new industrial alliance that will see Toyota increase its equity stake in Subaru from 16.83 per cent to a minimum of 20 per cent, after which Subaru will become “an affiliated company of Toyota”.
Under the new business and capital alliance, both companies said they will make “even better cars beyond that achieved thus far by Toyota and Subaru’, including the new 86 and BRZ, plus jointly developed all-wheel drive models.
The Japanese manufacturers, which have shared products since 2005, also confirmed they’ll collaborate more closely on a wide range of technologies, including safety, autonomy, connectivity and electrification.
Toyota said the latter would include the expansion of the Toyota Hybrid System in other Subaru models beyond the US-market XV (known as the Crosstrek).
As announced in June, the pair are also jointly developing a dedicated EV platform that’s expected to spawn an SUV combining Subaru’s AWD tech with Toyota’s electrification technologies.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said both companies’ new connected, autonomous/automated, shared and electric (CASE) business strategy will retain driving enjoyment as a key pillar of any vehicles developed.
"During this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation, even if CASE changes how cars will be, driving enjoyment will remain an inherent part of automobiles and is something that I think we must continue to strongly preserve.
“Our companies, both of which have long pursued driving enjoyment, now want to pursue the possibilities of making ever-better cars suitable for the CASE era by bringing together our strengths and by further deepening our relationship."
Subaru President Tomomi Nakamura said: "Between our company and Toyota is an alliance that already has a history of 14 years. During this time, we have deepened our bonds in various fields such as product development, production, and sales, including through personnel exchanges.
“By taking our relationship one step further and mutually honing our technologies, we will strengthen our ability to respond to CASE and other demands, and will accelerate our shared aspirations for making ever-better cars.”