First clear look at GR86 / BRZ prototype during testing

[PREDATOR786]

I'm hoping there's a whole lot of fake panels covering the actual lines like the GR Supra mules had. Right now it looks like a late model Hyundai Tiburon that we had here in SA in the mid 2000s.

[pastuch]

I still think the original BRZ & FT86 are the best looking version of each car. Not liking the design direction since inception, super bland.

Had a BRZ for 6 years. Traded her in for 2014 BMW M235i Xdrive with 50000km for only $28000 (after tax), the BRZ cost me $33000 new in 2012. I have to say, the value of a lightly used M240i with a stick and low mileage makes this new vanilla looking 86 look pretty bad (Also the Supra.) The M235/240 series is statistically one of the most reliable cars BMW has ever made and I absolutely adore mine. Not to take anything away from the FT86 platform, I loved that car, auto crossed it and had a mountain of laughs. I miss it, buying a second car, 2019 Miata ND2 next.

[Dzmitry]

Could be totally wrong, but I'm not so sure the fender flares are "gone" per say. They may be slightly more hidden, but from looking at the photos, I still see them. If you compare to photos of the current gen, they don't stand out in pictures all that much either. I believe the different hood design gives it that perception. Who knows.

[Ash_89]

The flared fenders might still be there, but less pronounced and hard to tell because of the camouflage wrap.

The hood looks dark were as the flare is lighter.

[Traum]

Generally speaking, the exterior changes look minor to me, although the (duckbill?) spoiler kind of looks like it doesn't integrate / flow well with the rest of the rear end lines from certain angles. I hope to front openings on the sides of the bumper and the front side vents have real functional aerodynamic purposes, and aren't just pretender looking parts.

Kind of disappointing that after 7 - 8 long years (which dates back to 13 years if you start counting from the first time when the concept car was shown), it seems like we are still only gonna get a major facelift on the car.

[Westen86]

Originally Posted by BRZ FTW

looks like this might be a 350z -> 370z type generation.

This was the reference I was looking for.

[ZDan]

Looks good! FWIW it looks to me like the fender "bulges" have just been stretched lengthwise from front of bumper all the way back to the back of the hood, instead of being more localized features right above the wheels. If anything it seems like the hood itself may be lower?

My main "styling" gripe continues to be the way-shoved-aft rear wheels. Would greatly prefer a more cab-rearward 2-seater version with the rear wheels located immediately aft of the front seats. Which would also immensely help with the weight distribution.

Been saying this for years but they should make a 2-seat "Toyota 2000GT" or "2400GT", and Subaru "BRX"(?) or whatev-name version!

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by >(559)< FR-s

Attachment 191409

There are a few things I'm seeing of note



*headlights are now ovoid and flush kind of like a 3rd gen Viper, not bulging yet sunken like 1st gen. IMO a big improvement. I'm also relieved they didn't copy the heinous Supra design language with all its fake vents everywhere.



*I don't see an indication of an intercooler behind the grill; n/a test mule or sign of no-turbo?


*The hood and fender design is visually heavier but also more balanced. The dainty fender apexes are gone, but there's still fender bulges to locate the tires from the cockpit. Also the hood/fender gap is now outboard slightly so it shouldn't be as obvious from the driver seat like the current gen.



*Lexus IS-F style fender exit vent. Note that both the bumper and fender vents are functional; certain angles you can see daylight through them. No fake vents = major plus.



*From the side profile, the angle of the front grill and two fender vents are all parallel, very nice


*the way the cowl meets the door and a-pillar is smoothed out, yet the door cut-line is now changed to overlap the a-pillar, which is strange. So, improved but also a bit odd


*The side sills look beefier, adding visual weight and making the car look more planted.



*The rear quarter windows now have a Hofmeister kink, cool!


*the rear end now has Aston Martin Vantage (trunk lid) and Acura CL (tail light) vibes, which I'm OK with. License plate is now in the bumper. Finally, the CHMSL is integrated into the [duckbill] trunk. Also note the turn signal is separate from the tail and running lights, YAY!



Overall I'm seeing a lot of improvements to the design with minimal negatives. I'm not seeing much or any body padding; the surfaces look legit. We'll see how it turns out when the camo is lifted, but this initial look is good.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Looks good! FWIW it looks to me like the fender "bulges" have just been stretched lengthwise from front of bumper all the way back to the back of the hood, instead of being more localized features right above the wheels. If anything it seems like the hood itself may be lower?

My main "styling" gripe continues to be the way-shoved-aft rear wheels. Would greatly prefer a more cab-rearward 2-seater version with the rear wheels located immediately aft of the front seats. Which would also immensely help with the weight distribution.

Been saying this for years but they should make a 2-seat "Toyota 2000GT" or "2400GT", and Subaru "BRX"(?) or whatev-name version!

I think it's more the center front section of the hood has been raised. Either due to evolving pedestrian safety standards, taller engine bay peripherals (such as radiator), or different engine layout entirely...

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Spuds

I think it's more the center front section of the hood has been raised. Either due to evolving pedestrian safety standards, taller engine bay peripherals (such as radiator), or different engine layout entirely...

It doesn't look to me like it has been raised. I think the lengthening of the fender bulges makes them look less exaggerated. On the 1st gen cars they aren't all that high really relative to the hood. IMO it looks like the fender/hood height differential remains about the same. 1st gen hood isn't particularly low really, especially coming from an S2000!

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by ZDan

It doesn't look to me like it has been raised. I think the lengthening of the fender bulges makes them look less exaggerated. On the 1st gen cars they aren't all that high really relative to the hood. IMO it looks like the fender/hood height differential remains about the same. 1st gen hood isn't particularly low really, especially coming from an S2000!

Agreed. The front fenders are now more a homogeneous teardrop shape from headlight to cowl instead of an arrow with fender apex bulges. The center of the hood appears to still be the roughly same shape. The visual effect from a side profile is the car looks bigger, but it should be more aerodynamic while also easier to stamp sheetmetal.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

The front windows look more narrow... Hopefully it's an illusion of the wrap.

Comparison to my car right now, the whole front glass line is definitely an inch higher at the least. The side windows look to be lined up with the hood rather than below it.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by ZDan

It doesn't look to me like it has been raised. I think the lengthening of the fender bulges makes them look less exaggerated. On the 1st gen cars they aren't all that high really relative to the hood. IMO it looks like the fender/hood height differential remains about the same. 1st gen hood isn't particularly low really, especially coming from an S2000!

Well, I guess we will find out for sure in a year or so lol.

[NaturallyAspirated]

In the pic below you can see the badges covered up.

Based on the shape of the hidden badge on the lower right corner of the trunk, could this be the GR/GT86 (Toyota) version? You can clearly see the round part of the badge that makes up the "86" logo. As for the left of the badge, I'm leaning more towards "GR" instead of "GT" mainly due to the parallelogram-ish shape but I suppose both "GR" and "GT" can form the same shape (especially underneath the wrap).