From time to time, Toyota releases a higher-powered prototype of the popular GT86 coupe to the world. One is a supercharged version from TRD , another is a model from Gazoo Racing with both a turbo and a supercharger. However, the Japanese automaker will eventually sweep all more powerful versions off the table.
But that could end! In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald , Tetsuya Tada , head of the GT86 project, said: "I believe we will make one engine change during the life of this car," he said. At the same time, it should be aimed at 2015 , when the facelift of the current coupe will be shown.
"We've tried different options and we have many prototypes based on the GT86 coupe – one with a turbocharger, one with a bigger engine and one with a special hybrid drive," said Tada, without specifying which one is closest to series production. However, behind-the-scenes speculation says that the version with a larger engine , which should have a volume of 2.5 liters and a power of up to 258 hp, is the closest to serial production.
This option is the most economically efficient of all the three mentioned above and would also allow the weight to be kept low . This cannot be guaranteed in the case of a turbocharged version or a hybrid device. However, if you feel that you would like a hybrid or turbocharged GT86, don't despair. Both versions may appear in the second generation of the small coupe.
And Tada talked about that, in addition to the new engine! The concept of the second generation is said to be already in development and should be completely different from the current design. It is even considered that there would not be a two-liter boxer under the hood at all, which immediately raised questions in the media about what role Subaru will play in the upcoming second generation with the BRZ model.
Instead of a boxer engine, an all- new turbocharged four-cylinder engine could appear under the hood, which Toyota is currently developing and which could make its debut in the upcoming Lexus compact SUV.
"A boxer-type engine benefits primarily from a low center of gravity, but we will first develop a new generation concept and then we will consider various options," concluded Tada .
Source: smh.drive.com.au
