Why A New Toyota MR2 Could Be Just What The GT86 Needs

Toyota’s GT86 has sometimes struggled to forge the kind of reputation it deserves, but having two cool big brothers could rub off nicely…

Matt Kimberley

14 Dec 2018

Why A New Toyota MR2 Could Be Just What The GT86 Needs

The Toyota GT86 is, from one perspective, exactly our sort of car. It’s fairly lightweight, rear-wheel drive, revvy and it handles like an absolute dream. But that’s never stopped it attracting a fair bit of criticism – almost always for a perceived lack of pace.

Never mind that such complaints are totally missing the point of the car; that’s an argument we’ve had before and don’t need to have again right now. The fact is that some people think that the GT86, as Toyota’s only sports car, just hasn’t got big enough cojones. Fortunately for them, it soon won’t be Toyota’s only sports car.

The launch of the Supra has been dragging on for years. A concept here, a teaser there, the odd leak to boot, but finally it’s almost time for the Z4-related sports coupe to make its grand entrance. The front end has already been revealed. We, like you, are looking forward to the full announcement. It’s going to be Toyota’s flagship sports car, reviving a name long respected, loved and lusted after.

That’s great, but for the GT86 it might be a little out of reach to be much of a catalyst in terms of image and sales. The two are at opposite ends of the sports car scale under the Toyota roof with over 150bhp and what’s likely to be a big price gulf between them. What the humble 86 needs is a car between it and the Supra; a two-door with between 250 and 300 ponies and a name that will have people placing orders before they even know the spec. We mean, naturally, the rumoured MR2.

If it really exists, really is coming and really might have a hybrid-enhanced boxer-four, it could be exactly what the GT86’s doctor ordered. Priced higher but not stupidly so, an MR2 would act as a bridge, linking those cars either side of it and presenting a new idea: a range of three quite different sports cars with different target audiences but the same DNA – the same credibility.

Having an MR2 above it and a Supra above that would release the pressure on the GT86. People who want something faster will have options and simply won’t need to bitch about the genuinely wonderful GT86 any more. In a way it will gently close the door on the negativity and allow those who really see the magic in that car to carry on appreciating it.

The S-FR concept has been mooted as the basis for a future MR2

What’s more, being part of a family that contains the nameplates MR2 and Supra would bring with it a fair amount of kudos. Picture the GT86 like a younger brother to Princes William and Harry. William is the real deal, a king in waiting – like the Supra. Harry is the slightly off-beat fun-lover who can be serious too – sounds like a reborn MR2, to us. The third and youngest brother, Prince G.T. Eightysix, knows he’s never going to be on the throne but is cut from the same cloth as his brothers. He is who he is, he’s proud of his talents and people appreciate the work he does.

That’s why the distant – and far from certain – arrival of a new MR2 would be a great thing for the GT86. Maybe then, at long last, the naysayers could move on and the rest of us could admire it in peace. We might also find a few closet fans of the car suddenly praising it openly once it can piggyback on the MR2 and Supra. We’ll have to wait and see.

Comments

An MR2 with Electronic Engine Aid could also help the brand the move towards the future and help the car crowd slowly slip away from petrol/diesel.

Agreed

That would be a bad thing. I don’t care if they electrify the Yaris (I believe there’s already a hybrid version), but an MR2 should be as fun as possible, and that having minimal kg’s, not maximum mpg’s.

but what about manual gearbox? what about sweet exhaust note?

No please

Dunno. The GT86 is olf AF and the Supra, is meh. Where is the hybrid powertrain? Where is the GT factor?

Don’t see how MR2 will help that, sure it might be the greatest car ever made, what do I know it’s not even out yet, but how will that help the cause of two other cars is what I don’t understand, since IMO the MR2 will steal customers from both cars

I see where your coming from but imo having the sports cars would add credibility to the brand therefore reducing the more recent boring stigma Toyota has acquired

This makes sense. Back in the 80s and 90s the AE86 and later models were marketed below Celicas, MR2s and Supras

I think people put too much strain on the GT branding, the old 86 had the GT marking also, yet it never exceeded about 150 to 200 horses, unless it was made for racing, which gave it the 240 horsepower specialised engine.. The car was never made for speed, but for fun.

^this

But it still can’t even do that… I had to fight with it to get the rear end to step out and it wouldn’t settle. Felt far too darty for me. Not fluid or dynamic… that being said, after driving it I wanted it because it does seem like a great platform to build from! Also looks awesome, no doubt

Yes it had 150 - 200 hp, in 1986, when an M5 had 286 hp. Considering an M5 now has over 600 hp, the GT86 could easily have 300 hp in that chassis and still be very drivable and fun.

I just don’t like the boxer engine in the gt86 tbh. If it had a regular inline 4 I would be down for that

Actually, The MR2, would be the younger brother not older. This is a new MR2 and won’t be the same old MR2 we think it will be. HP shouldn’t play any factors towards “age” or “maturity”

A hybrid drivetrain wouldn’t make sense. Trying to fit a hybrid drivetrain in a mid-engine car will be expensive to engineer, and would add weight. Simply putting in a WRX engine would make much more sense.

It could actually help with weight distribution. Though, you’re right, overall weight would take a hit. Still, porkiness is something we have had to get used to.

In order for the GT86 to improve its sales following the release of the Supra and MR2, it will need a second generation. The current GT86 already has a reputation with the market and the enthusiast community and opinions are hard to change. With a second generation that includes a reduction in weight and a small bump in power, the GT86 could become the top selling sports car in Toyotas lineup due to being accessible to the average consumer. If they can continue to share development costs with Subaru, a new GT86 could have very high profit margins which would continue to prove to executives that sports cars can be profitable. Toyota may also be able to outsell the BRZ with a new reputation in the sports car market.

And hopefully a bit cheaper so it doesnt compete with 280-350 hp hatch monsters but Polo GTI/Fiesta ST. I mean, if the S-FR had been a thing, I genuinely would haven been a buyer. I’m currently saving up on first job to get a daily/toy in one as a new car, coming from an NB Mx-5 and wanting a bit more practicality n reliability, but not wanting to give up RWD.