Toyota Gazoo Racing is gearing up for an exciting few years ahead, with ambitious plans that include the revival of the iconic Celica and the introduction of a new mid-engined MR2 successor. Despite these major projects on the horizon, Toyota has confirmed that the GR86 will continue to hold its place in the lineup. Rather than being phased out, the affordable rear-wheel-drive sports coupe is reportedly already in line for a next-generation model.
The original Toyota 86 debuted in late 2011, and the second-generation GR86 followed in 2020. Given this timeline, industry observers anticipate that the third generation could arrive towards the end of the decade, with some reports from Japan indicating a possible launch in 2027.
In a notable shift from previous models, which were co-developed with Subaru and marketed as the Subaru BRZ, the upcoming GR86 is expected to be developed entirely in-house by Toyota. This represents a bold move by the automaker, particularly at a time when the global market for traditional sports cars continues to shrink and Gazoo Racing’s performance portfolio expands.
Adding intrigue to the project, reports from Japanese publication Mag X suggest that Toyota may enlist the expertise of Mazda through a shared engineering partnership. According to these reports, a Mazda engineer could take the lead on developing the new GR86. This collaboration would build on the growing relationship between Toyota and Mazda, with both companies finding ways to share resources and talent while preserving their unique brand identities.
