Recent rumors suggested that Toyota and Subaru were going to pull the plug on the GT86/BRZ models as early as next year, but according to new information, that may not be the case. It was believed that the sporty coupe was no longer relevant given that the base version of the new Supra makes around as much horsepower and it’s about the same size too.
Will the Subaru and Toyota Continue to Produce the BRZ and 86?
Carscoops reached out to Subaru and Toyota for confirmation of this rumor and it was, in fact, denied as definitely untrue. It contradicts what was said in the article from an upcoming issue of Japan’s Best Car magazine.
The source quotes Ron Kinno, a Subaru USA spokesman, as stating that “We do not endorse this report coming from Japan’s Best Car. We are moving ahead with a next-generation Subaru BRZ, but have no further details at this time.”
Both the BRZ and GT86 are currently manufactured by Subaru and have been in production since late 2012 at the Gunma plant in Ōta, Japan. The two models are nearly identical - the most significant differences are the design of the front bumper, the badges, and the wheels. They have the same (Subaru,) four-cylinder boxer engine, the same power output, and the exact same performance numbers.
The replacement for the current model would have to address the main grip everybody has had with it from day one - the lack of grunt, especially lower down in the rev range where the engine that currently powers the duo really doesn’t pull. Maybe a deal could be struck to use the inline-four turbo from BMW that now powers the base Toyota Supra - it makes just under 200 horsepower but considerably more torque.
No time frame for when the next-gen BRZ/GT86 could debut was mentioned.
Further Reading
Read our full, driven review of the 2017 Toyota 86.
Read our full, driven review of the 2017 Subaru BRZ.