[ad_1]
Gazoo Racing (GR) has gained a lot of cachet since Akio Toyoda decided to make it the de facto performance arm of Toyota in 2009. It is slowly supplanting Toyota Racing Development (TRD), which is still technically leading the show but currently feels more like the manufacturer’s North American off-road racing division. GR has produced global models that actually deliver improved plant performance and efficiency while TRD has essentially become the company’s internal parts catalog.
However, Gazoo has its own performance parts and Toyota eagerly tweaked the shit of its vehicles in order to tease them. The brand is now ready to start selling them and has reissued both GR 86 concepts from last month – designed to tickle the enthusiast community – with relevant details. 
The more understated model comes with aftermarket bumpers, side skirts, mudguards, window covers and a sober lip spoiler on the rear deck. It also features 19-inch TRD forged wheels and a sleeker fuel cap, the latter of which is supposed to offer no performance advantage and looks poor. Underneath the body panels, GR fitted the 86 new shocks and springs, upgraded, one-piece brake calipers (with ventilated rotors) and a sportier exhaust system.
Dubbed the “Toyota GR 86 GR Parts”, the model is meant to represent what can be done with a wad of cash and time spent with the new catalog. The model is designed to represent what is possible while keeping things legal on the streets.
However, if you want something that is really manic and features GR parts more openly, let me point you to the “Toyota GR 86 GR Parts Concept”. Starting from the same tastefully sober canvas, the manufacturer went to the banana to test the latest components under development. This one never needed to stay legal on the streets, and certainly can’t seem to last long in most states without attracting unwanted attention from local authorities.
Exterior upgrades include an extremely aggressive front fascia fitted with a dynamic air intake and apparently as many ducks as Toyota could. There is also a front lip to encourage extra downforce, which is one of the main themes of the vehicle. At the rear, the 86 received a massive GT wing and there are ventilation points along the widened rear fenders to prevent any unwanted air from sneaking under the vehicle and dirtying the aero design that Toyota has clearly prioritized with. the chosen components. Carbon fiber side skirts help more here, with a large diffuser finishing things off at the rear.
While the 19-inch forged aluminum wheels look familiar, they are considerably wider to accommodate the extra space allowed by the fenders which are 1.7 inches in circumference compared to the standard model.
Toyota also hinted at increased stiffness and significant weight reduction on the concept model. But there are not enough details to explain where and how this is happening. Likewise, any modifications to the engine are left to our imagination, which is a horizontally opposed 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (sourced from Subaru) that develops 228 horsepower in the current generation 86. Although slightly more beefier than the 2.0-liter unit that was fitted to the first-generation car, lack of power is often cited as the vehicle’s main flaw.
Frankly, I think it’s mostly coming from people who haven’t driven one. While not blazingly fast, the older 86s and Subaru BRZs could top 60mph in just over 6 seconds. This has proven to be quite acceptable for fun on a twisty road and allows drivers to push the limits of the vehicle while staying within the limits of the law. In contrast, more powerful vehicles sometimes have difficulty maximizing driving pleasure without exceeding the speed limit. But Toyota obviously built this particular 86 to be track focused, so why not give it 300 horsepower?
We assume Concept is concerned with evaluating its existing aerodynamic improvements so that they can be sold to customers. Manufacturers also don’t usually come up with insane performance packages that could put undue strain on the powertrain. While TRD and GR may offer horsepower boost options in the future, it’s probably wise to leave things really risky to the aftermarket tuning companies. Factory warranties can only be extended so far and these models are already unusually wild for a company like Toyota – not that we’re upset to see this side of the automaker.
[Images: Toyota]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC plugs and everything that gets the truth about cars first by subscribing to our bulletin.
Related
[ad_2]
Source link