The Toyota GR86 and its predecessors have always been powered by naturally aspirated engines. Now, Toyota has somewhat granted the wishes of Toyota GR86 fans for a turbocharged engine, but not by simply slapping a turbocharger onto the Subaru-sourced FA24 engine. Toyota Gazoo Racing has fitted the 1.6-litre turbo GR Yaris engine (G16E-GTS) into a small batch of Toyota GR86 coupes.
Before you get too excited, Toyota’s motorsport division is currently experimenting with this small batch of cars for the development of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels. And these GR Yaris-powered GR86 coupes will be competing in the Super Taikyu Race Series held in Japan. Interestingly, the Subaru BRZ will also compete in the same race series with a modified version of the FA24D boxer engine.
CarSales Australia reports that there are high hopes that the turbocharged Toyota GR86 will eventually find its way to production. With the turbo GR86 currently in its ‘testing phase’, Toyota Gazoo Racing Chief Engineer, Naoyuki Sakamoto believes that motorsport is the best proving ground to test experimental technology for robustness and durability.
Currently, the FA24-powered Toyota GR86 produces 235 hp and 250 Nm. The GR Yaris engine produces 272 hp and 370 Nm. Toyota also used the Super Taikyu race series to develop the juiced-up version of the G16E-GTS engine for the GR Corolla which makes 304 hp and 370 Nm. The performance figures of the synthetic-fuel-powered G16E engine have not been revealed.
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When asked whether the Toyota GR86 could get the 304 hp version of the G16E-GTS engine (from the GR Corolla), Naoyuki Sakamoto said, “Yes, we are thinking for the future about the possibility of using it, but there are no concrete plans at the moment. For now, we’re just using it to develop carbon-neutral fuels.”
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