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Hotly-anticipated GR86 due for imminent Australian release, but manual models much more expensive than the Subaru BRZ
Toyota has confirmed pricing and full specifications for the Australian version of its new GR86 sports car, with the rear-wheel drive coupe set to start at $43,240 before on-road costs.
Controversially, there is no ‘discount’ for the manual GR86, despite its cousin vehicle – the Subaru BRZ – being $3800 cheaper if you go for the six-speed manual rather than the six-speed automatic option.
Again offered in Australia in two trim grades, the GR86 commences with a GT grade ($43,240) while a more premium GTS variant costs $45,390 in both manual and auto forms – an upgrade cost of $1500.
The GR86 has landed with more expensive pricing than the BRZ, which starts at $40,290 for the entry-grade version with manual, and $41,590 for the higher-specification BRZ S.
Between them, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ have racked up more than 30,000 local sales since they debuted in Australia in 2012.
Like the BRZ, the second-generation GR86 ushers in a larger and more flexible 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine making 174kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 6.3sec for the manual, with the auto taking half a second longer to hit triple digits from rest.
The previous model, simply badged 86 without the nod to Toyota’s recently-formalised Gazoo Racing sports car division, used a 2.0-litre unit that produced 152kW/212Nm.
A Torsen limited-slip differential is fitted to the rear axle of both the GT and GTS, while the car’s stability control system is now more sophisticated, running through five modes to give different margins of slip in dynamic driving.
Deliveries of the GR86 are set to commence soon. The second-gen coupe has arrived in Australia almost a year after its BRZ cousin, which has been rated highly by Chasing Cars and waged a campaign in this year’s 2022 Chasing Cars Car of the Year program.
The GR86 retains the previous model’s platform with substantial revisions to support the larger engine and further improve ride quality and handling. The long delay in the Australian release of the GR86 was attributed to a need for further local suspension development.
Inside, there is a larger and more modern 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 7.0-inch digital driver display with track mode software designed with input from Toyota GR racing drivers.
Like the Subaru BRZ, manual models miss out on adaptive safety tech like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), reversing AEB, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning – all safety tech that is exclusive to the auto. However, GTS manual models at least nab rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.
Your $43,240 (plus on-road costs) buys you the entry-level GR86 GT in either manual or automatic. There is no price difference between the transmissions, though the manual has additional safety tech.
Standard features take in:
Spending an additional $1500 on the GTS grade of the new GR86 ($45,390) buys you:
Automatic versions of the new GR86 are priced identically to the manual versions, but they gain the following adaptive safety technology features:
Toyota GR86 colours in Australia
Seven colours will be available with the GR86 locally:
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
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