There's a Next-Gen Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ Coming, And It Might Have More Power

From Road & Track

Update 2/1/19: A rumor is flying around the car internet saying that the BRZ and 86 will die after this generation, which is contrary to what we've reported. A Subaru spokesperson told Carscoops this isn't the case. Below is our original story from 4/4/18.

Rejoice, for Toyota and Subaru are working on the next-generation 86 and BRZ. A Subaru spokesperson has confirmed this in a conversation with Road & Track today, and Toyota said the same back in December 2016. And just in time, the Japan Times has published a rumor that the next 86 and BRZ will arrive in 2021 with a 2.4-liter flat-four engine.

Pictured above, the 2018 Subaru BRZ tS.

When reached by email, Subaru and Toyota spokespeople declined to comment on this particular rumor. It's intriguing, though, since Subaru has just announced a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer called the FA24. In the new Ascent SUV, this engine is turbocharged, making 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.

So, wait. Does this mean the next 86 and BRZ will be turbocharged? Not necessarily. Subaru hasn't announced any further variants of the FA24 engine in the Ascent. In that application, the four-cylinder serves as an alternative to the V6 engines found in competing SUVs.

But, it's likely that there will be more FA24 variants down the road. Road & Track contributor Bozi Taterevic speculated last year that a version of this engine could power the next WRX STI, replacing the aging EJ25 2.5-liter used in the current model. Could Subaru do a non-turbo version of this engine? A company spokesperson declined to comment when asked by Road & Track.

In any case, Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer for the current Toyota 86, has heard enthusiast demands for more power. At the Geneva Motor Show last month, he offered an explanation for why a turbo engine isn't offered on the current 86.

"It's not that easy to boost the engine," Tada said through an interpreter. "If you just increase the horsepower, that creates an unbalanced car, so we have to start from redesigning the platform to accommodate more horsepower."

If a second-generation BRZ/86 is under way, we assume it will ride on a redesigned (or at least, refined) platform. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to add more power-and with a new, more powerful flat-four engine having just debuted, it sure seems like everything is falling together for a more muscular rear-drive sports coupe.

Of course, we'll have to wait and see what the future holds for the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. But we're just glad that these excellent cars will receive a second generation, turbocharged or otherwise.

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