Hi. Can you ask if there are any plans to offer a “Performance Pack“ with bigger brakes , different dampers? Are the forged 18 alloys on the Premium pack the same BBS ones on the Euro GR Yaris Circuit Pack? Is there a full spec sheet showing the gear ratios for Manual and Automatic transmissions? There is no mention of a reversing camera or parking sensors, are these available?
Thanks
Andy

 

Reversing camera and parking sensors look available if you refer to the photo above. Check the black dot below the Toyota logo and the dimple dots on the rear bumper and you’ll get what I mean.

 

Thanks , I can see those now

 

Welcome to the forum @Chris Tonn! When you're looking at the interior can you let us know how the build quality and materials feel? Is it an upgrade to the first gen cars?

If you do end up getting to drive or ride in the GR86 please let us know how it feels.

 

Regarding a Performance Package - I got the typical hedge from the execs. “They’ll wait for the market to ask for it.” So no plans they’re willing to discuss yet.

Trans changes - gear ratios remain the same, but some internal changes to manage the additional torque.

 

They did note a 50% increase in chassis rigidity, along with a non-specific reduction in weight.

Wheels - they DO look like the GR Yaris Circuit BBS wheels, but I haven’t had a chance to get TOO close yet.

 

They did note a 50% increase in chassis rigidity, along with a non-specific reduction in weight.

Wheels - they DO look like the GR Yaris Circuit BBS wheels, but I haven’t had a chance to get TOO close yet. View attachment 1228

Keep us posted when you do. Eager to get some up-close pics.

Can you get some shots of inside the wheel to show the suspension. And the underside...

 

@Chris Tonn

Thanks for asking the questions, much appreciated. I’m pretty sure the GR Yaris CP alloys have a BBS mark on them , very light 8.2kg , but very expensive around £1400 each if you need to replace one.

 

Just watched the live stream and heard someone asked the presenter if the 2nd-generation 86 sits on an all-new platform and he was answered with a YES. Is this true?

 

How is the suspension tuning / handling different from the BRZ? I remember Toyota emphasizing this as a distinguishing factor from the sibling.

 

I suppose it depends on how you interpret ”new” , from what I’ve read It looks more like an “evolution“ of the previous generation. Cabin looks very similar apart from the dash display and infotainment screen.

 

I get the distinct feeling that the “all-new” platform is really a heavy evolution of the existing. I’ve not had a great deal of time yet to climb all over the car - hope to get more time soon.

Interior quality looks improved - plastics feel less crappy than before. Still has the cupholders beneath the armrest. Alcantara seats feel great - though I haven’t sat yet.

I looked closer at the wheel - will try to get better suspension shots. The wheel does NOT have BBS markings that I can see - just the usual JWL marking on the rim. Tires (Premium Pack was the only one shown) are 215/40-18 Michelin PS4 all around.

 

Any word on auto-rev match for the 6MT? Really want this feature!

 

Checking on this - I'm promised more details on the transmission, but I'll be chasing engineers down today/tomorrow.

 

Can you post some pretty shots of the car as well?

 

That will probably be Friday. The scenery here - the courtyard within an office complex - doesn't lend to pretty photos, but I'm expecting more time on Friday.

 

Also, silly question, but are the cupholders still essentially so far back in the center console that they are out of reach?

 

Not a silly question at all. As much as the hairshirt sportscar enthusiasts who decry innovations such as fuel injection and, um, a roof that doesn't leak (and I'll admit I'm kinda there having grown up working on MGs) it's nice to not spill coffee on oneself on the way to work.

And yes, the cupholders suck. Not so much as those in the ND Miata (Mazda engineers have actually told me "we know the cupholders suck) but they aren't awesome. See below.

 

Yes, I know that's the wrong photo. Argh. Let's try again.

 

Can anyone turn it on? I'd love to hear what the new engine sounds like, maybe revving a bit.

 

Does the NASA free HPDE event entry get you free driving instruction as well?

 

Yes if you are in HPDE 1 or 2, you will automatically be assigned a instructor for the day

 

Hey Chris, I know this is not an important question, but there’s an inner part of me that’s curious if Toyota will bring on the convenience features such as the blind sport monitor or even homelink garage opener, both of which the previous gen didn’t get. I know Toyota said safety sense will come standard, but I haven’t heard any mention on both of those features. Thanks a lot!

 

Blind spot monitoring is part of the Premium package - offered on both the 6MT and 6AT models.

Homelink - Toyota engineers and spokespeople shrugged when I asked. I didn’t see any obvious Homelink buttons when I looked over the pre-production cars today. I’m told they will let me know later.

 

Any info on why the driver assist features are only going to be available on the version with the auto trans?

 

The driver assist features are part of the Subaru EyeSight suite of safety features. The canned response from Toyota: “EyeSight for manual transmission was not made available to us.”
I wonder if Subaru is withholding EyeSight for 6MT to make it a key differentiator on BRZ.

 

@Chris Tonn

Chris , if you get chance to talk to any of the tech guys can you try and find out if the better 0-60 time with the Auto Transmission is due to any changes to the gear ratios from the GT86 or just the different power & torque from the 2.4L engine? Thanks

 

@Chris Tonn

Chris , if you get chance to talk to any of the tech guys can you try and find out if the better 0-60 time with the Auto Transmission is due to any changes to the gear ratios from the GT86 or just the different power & torque from the 2.4L engine? Thanks

View attachment 1244

Ratios remain the same on 6AT just as they do on the 6MT. Increased acceleration comes primarily in the engine performance increase - though they note the addition of a pair of extra clutch plates as a factor as well. I’m skeptical that a couple of clutch plates can make that much of a difference in 0-60 times, however.

 

Hey Chris, will the Manual transmission versions of the GR86 have the Red accents on the engine like the previous gen?

 

Gonna toss a couple of photos up here that will hopefully sate your desire for something close to beauty shots, as well as answering the “red accent” question from @Razorwing :

 

Will try for more photos later.

No driving impressions - we weren’t allowed to drive. I got about 7/8ths of a hot lap courtesy of pro driver/drifter Ken Gushi. He seemed to remain in 3rd/4th throughout the track (mind, the front straight was closed and there’s a chicane in what I’d assume is the back straight because they don’t want to kill too many journalists) where I’d imagine the previous model would need a downshift to 2nd to power out of some of the tighter uphill corners. Obviously, I didn’t drive - nor could I drive the first gen back-to-back with this one - so my impressions need to be couched in that knowledge.

No video - I didn’t bring a mount for my phone for some reason - but the wide-open throttle sound is QUITE pleasing. I’m expecting that there will be video available from Toyota soon, so I’ll share it once I find it.

 

Sweet! No mention of torque dip so that's really encouraging.