Toyota 86 to get power boost with 2015 refresh
 

Japanese brand looking at every option to give 86 more grunt.

http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/11...00-620x414.jpg


The Japanese brand has teased numerous concepts of its two-door cult car with upgraded engines, including a supercharged TRD version built in the United States and a twin-charged (supercharged and turbo charged) version created by its in-house skunkworks Gazoo Racing.

But it has always maintained those were designed to showcase the ability for aftermarket tuners and were not suitable for mainstream production.

Now, the chief engineer of the 86, Tetsuya Tada, has finally admitted his team is developing a number of ways to increase performance of the showroom version; one of which will definitely make it to production when the 86receives its mid-life upgrade in 2015.

"I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car," Tada told Drive.
"We [have] already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is a turbocharger, one is bigger displacement and [the other is a] special hybrid system."

"All possibilities are being considered."

Tada would not divulge any further details, but inside sources claim the most likely option is an increase in displacement, bumping the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed engine out to 2.5-litres and increasing power from 147kW to around 190kW.

It is understood this option would be the most cost-effective solution that not only maintains the integrity of the lightweight concept but prevents placing the additional stress on the drivetrain that a turbo charger would or the complexity and weight penalty of a hybrid system.

However, both alternatives are not being tested in vain, as they are likely to be introduced on the next-generation 86.

Tada confirmed to Drive he is already developing the concept for a successor, and hinted that it could be a radically different car, potentially dropping the boxer engine altogether - which raises questions about Subaru's involvement and whether there will be follow-up to the sister BRZ.

Toyota has confirmed it is developing its first turbo charged four cylinder engine in almost 20 years, which is likely to debut in Lexus' compact SUV - dubbed NX - that will be revealed in concept form at the Tokyo motor show in November, which Tada admitted was an option.

"The boxer [engine] has benefit for low centre of gravity, but [we will develop the] concept for the next generation car first and then we will look at best possible options to fit," he said.
"We will see then, but this could be..."

Either way, it is almost certain the hybrid system Toyota is currently working on will make its way into the next-generation 86. However, it is unlikely to be a conventional, and heavy, battery pack but rather a road-going development of the super capacitor system employed in its Le Mans sportscar racers, which are not only smaller and lighter but can store and deliver energy quicker for rapid bursts of acceleration.

Source - http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/t...809-2rleu.html


Well folks as with everything "news" related take it with a grain of salt till confirmed, but maybe, just maybe most of our prayers may be soon answered. :happy0180:

I like the idea of a larger displacement engine. Anything else would likely add even more weight to disturb balance and or mess with the instant throttle response of an NA.

That said I care more about how much torque any change would bring to the table.

:thumbsup:

Couldn't agree more. Keep it NA!

I really wish they'd just hurry up and announce what they're going to do so I can know if I have to sell my car or keep it. I want to mod my car but I'm holding off because I'm afraid the moment I do they'll just announce the turbo.

I'm not gonna keep it if there's a 2.5 or a turbocharged version out there.

I don't understand why they didn't use the 2.5 boxer engine they have right now to begin with.

You can get a lot more of a performance tuned 2.5 boxer engine, and most importantly you also exponentially increase the power benefit of aftermarket mods.

I like Subaru, but if future generations of this car are going to be pigeon holed to a specific type of engine (boxer) and make due with the ones they have at that moment due to the lack of resources of the company to develop another platforms, then I'm all for Toyota taking the project on their own hands and leave Subaru out of this.

They are talking about next generation GT86... Assuming a normal Toyota/Subaru pattern of generations, and considering the incredible hype and strong sales of this car, the next generation of this car is AT LEAST 5 years away.

So I wouldn't hold off doing anything to my car in the hopes something comes up before 2017.

The article says 2015...

This is supposed to be for the mid life upgrade. Similar to how Supra's got VVTi Engines from 1997 - 2003. And how the 03-07 WRX went from 2.0 to 2.5 litres.

"Mid-Life" is 2015? Are they really only planning on producing this car for 6 years?

I don't like it but that is about the life span of a toyota sports car.

Sent from my Q10

No, I understood that to mean the generation we have before a major change, like Civic's for example. They used to be on a 4 year cycle, then 5, and now 6 before a total redesign.

A larger or turbocharged engine inside the chassis and body we currently have wold be a mid cycle refresh, not a redesign. It's the same car. A 5th and a 6th gen Civic are not the same car. Nor is the 4th to a 5th.

My guess is that a 2018 model will be a redesign, maybe '19. Different fenders, hood, etc. etc. That's what they mean.

I wouldn't count on an entirely new model.

This car could either go the way of the Miata, where it gets an update every 6 years or so. Or it might be like the RX8 or S2000 where it has one model that might get a slight facelift and some tweaks to the engine and then it is ultimately put out to pasture in favour of new projects.

In a way I kind of want this car to be like the s2000 and rx-8.

Yeah true. It would mean they'd retain their value and iconic status more.

Imagine how much more revered and special the E30 M3 would be if there was never an E36, E46 or E90.