We’ve been talking about the next-gen Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ since they were confirmed back in February 2019. A year after that confirmation, we learned that the 86 would get a new name, would feature a turbocharged Subaru engine, and would shift into premium territory. More recently, in March of 2020, a new leak hinted that the 2021 Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ would be making their debut soon. A new report, however, has expressed that a lot of what we’ve learned isn’t true at all, and that’s very bad news for the next-gen BRZ and 86.
Toyota’s TNGA Platform is a No-Go
In a previous report we learned that the 2021 Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ would transition to Toyota’s TNGA platform – something that would have, in theory, made the next-gen cars better. Back then, we reported that “Toyota’s TNGA platform is a better candidate. It will allow for less customization of the platform, better weight distribution and, ultimately, better driving dynamics.” Subaru’s platform was also the reason the BRZ\86 couldn’t be turbocharged because it would ruin the car’s dynamics.
Unfortunately, the latest report from Torque News says that Toyota’s TNGA platform just isn’t suited for RWD, which means both cars will continue to be underpinned by Subaru’s aging and limiting platform.
The 2021 Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ Won’t Be Turbocharged
It took about five minutes after the current BRZ and 86 launched for people to start asking about when a turbocharged model is coming. As far back as March of 2018 the chief engineer explained why that wasn’t possible on the current-gen model.
It’s at least a little better than the current models, but a far cry from the expected 255 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque that’s easily available from the FA24 with a turbocharger. The bad news doesn’t stop here, folks, and the next bit will really ruffle your feathers.
Subaru and Toyota Are Changing Very Little About the Next-Gen 86 and BRZ
As reported previously, the 86 and BRZ were supposed to get an all-new look and would even shift into premium territory. Well, if this latest report is accurate, then the now eight-year-old cars are getting little more than a facelift.
Final Thoughts Wrapped in Disappointment
I have been excited to see the next-gen Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ for the last year. The prospect of turbocharging and transition to Toyota’s TNGA platform opens the door for these two little cars to been downright phenomenal. Unfortunately, it seems that Subaru and Toyota would rather save on R&D costs and keep both models nearly the same. I mean, after all, what’s the point of switching to the FA24 for such a minimal power increase. We were expecting better driving dynamics, better performance, and something that looks a little better than the two now-old cars we have today. Sorry to say this, but if this latest report is true, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ won’t last but a few more years before being axed altogether. If that’s the case, just remember that, while they will claim it’s due to lack of sales, it will really fall on the shoulders of the Subaru and Toyota and their reluctance to see the real potential of these cars.