The formula for the Toyota GR86 is a nod to the classic sports coupe. Compact, light, and rear-wheel drive, it’s these ingredients that make this car one of the most fun to drive cars out there.
Of course, the 86 bit in the name is a nod to the classic (and iconic) AE86 Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin. But Toyota’s latest SEMA build reminds us of another coupe from the company’s back catalog.
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Meet the Toyota GR86 Legacy concept for SEMA 2024. It leans on the company’s strong rally heritage, especially with that Castrol-inspired livery draped on its bodywork. But there’s another reason why it reminds of a different Toyota coupe.
For starters, the 2.4-liter boxer engine has been chucked out in favor of the GR Corolla’s 1.6-liter, three-cylinder turbo. Not content with that, this special one-off also gets fitted with the hot Corolla’s all-wheel drive system.
Those changes transformed the GR86 from a track-ready rear-wheel drive sports car into a turbocharged, all-wheel drive coupe. It’s practically a modern-day Celica GT-Four in every way except the name.
Safe to say that it’s an epic engine and drivetrain swap. The GR86’s floorpan required extensive reengineering as it was never intended to have all-wheel drive. Another challenge was fitting an inline engine where a flatter and more compact boxer engine resides. Toyota said the whole build needed heaps of fabrication to be completed.
Custom coil-over dampers were bolted onto each corner, and custom control arms were fabricated to complement the subframe modifications. There’s also a performance intercooler to chill the intake charge, and an oil cooler to reduce engine oil temps. Rally-ready suspension was also fitted, while the Speedline alloys, tall wing, and massive driving lights wouldn’t look out of place in a ‘90s Celica WRC.
With everything that's been done to this GR86, could this be a taste of the rumored Celica comeback? Watch this space.
