The Toyota GT86->ke4085 and its Subaru BRZ->ke3973 and Scion FR-S->ke3820 brothers were launched in 2012, with only the Suby->ke86 and the Scion->ke79 reaching U.S. shores shortly after. The triples share the same 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, boxer engine that generates 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The unit mates to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic and enables the sports car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 to 7.6 seconds.

Granted, the GT86 is not nearly the fastest sports car you can buy nowadays, but its sub-£26,000 sticker makes it affordable to the average Joe and quite the bargain compared to its competitors. However, the Toyobaru triplets are slowly but surely losing their appeal due to the fact that no true performance updates have been added in more than two years since their launch. But that's about to change, as Toyota is getting ready to drop Subaru from the partnership.

Once that happens, Toyota->ke88 will finally be able to develop a more potent, next-generation sports car, likely powered by a turbocharged engine and hybrid technology. Meanwhile though, it appears the Japanese are working on a new iteration of the current GT86, as confirmed by a new batch of spy shots we just found in our inbox.

Click past the jump to read more about the Toyota GT86 Lightweight.

2015 Toyota GT86 Lightweight

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Toyota GT86 Lightweight
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Spy Shots

This strange-looking Toyota GT86, which was spotted on the Nurburgring->ke999 track, is not your regular Toyobaru sports car->ke506. Take a closer look and you'll notice that its regular hood, roof and trunk have been replaced by carbon-fiber parts. What's more, a large, carbon-fiber fixed wing sits on top of the trunk, while the hood showcases two additional air intakes.

We admit the vehicle looks similar to the ones developed by Gazoo Racing earlier this year, but we're dead sure the sports car in question is a lightweight version of the GT86. And judging by the extra air intakes, we could be looking at the very first GT86 to carry a turbocharged engine under its hood. That should translate into more ponies going to the rear wheels and much quicker acceleration times due to the vehicle's reduced weight. Expect more details on this intriguing GT86 to surface real soon and make sure you stay tuned to TopSpeed for updates.

Competitors

Audi TT

The Audi TT may not benefit from rear-wheel-drive, but that doesn't make it less appealing when compared to the GT86. Mate that turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine to Audi's brilliant quattro all-wheel-drive system and you have a pocket rocket on your hands. Faster than the current GT86 in the 0-to-60-mph sprint by more than two seconds, the TT comes with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on tap.

Paired to a six-speed automatic, the four-banger enables the small coupe to accelerate from naught to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph. Things will become a bit faster once the 2016 TT hits U.S. shores with 230 ponies and 272 pound-feet of torque, but expect the Toyota GT86 Lightweight to give its German competitor a run for its money.

The Audi TT Coupe retails from $38,650, which is significantly more than the base FR-S -- the GT86's Scion sibling -- here in the States.

Peugeot RCZ

Launched in 2010, the Peugeot RCZ got its first refresh in 2013, when three engines were made available in the French sports car. The range-topping THP "200" model is the obvious choice against the GT86, as its 1.6-liter engine generates 200 horsepower and 202 pound-feet of torque. The oomph enables the RCZ to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 mph. The engine is only available with a six-speed manual transmission and returns up to 42 mpg on the highway.

The only downside of the RCZ is that we can't have it in the United States. In Europe, the THP "200" is priced from €31,300, which means around $42,500 as of 06/24/2014.

Toyota GT86