2022 Toyota GR 86 Packs A Punch But Turbocharge Remains Elusive
Jane Lu
· 4 min read
The
sports car
industry begs for more power, better looks, and speed with every new car to hit the market. The Toyota
GR 86, originally the Scion FR-S, delivered that for years and is now getting an upgrade.Jerry
found that the upgrade is more powerful than expected, but consumers still don't get a turbo engine.
2022 Toyota GR 86 specs
In a first look at the 2022 Toyota GR 86,
CNET
reported that the main upgrade is the engine. A bigger, naturally aspirated boxer engine brings power to the pavement. It has a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder setup that produces 228 horsepower and boasts 184 lb-ft of torque. Its lower threshold for peak torque, at 3,700 rpm, allows for faster and better power even when you’re just driving around town.
The GR 86 still doesn’t have a turbo engine
The GR 86 continues the tradition of having racing at its heart. Its design is much more aerodynamic and the new roof and front fenders allow it to speed through the
track
. Functional vents in the front and rear help channel the air at high speeds. The framework is more rigid and high-strength steel adds much-needed reinforcement to the front and rear, as reported by TechCrunch
. The GR 86 gained 77 pounds in its upgrade, but the new additions balance the weight distribution to keep the car speedy.Unfortunately, the upgrade doesn’t come with the coveted turbocharged engine. A turbo engine isn't coming to the new model or any future models that we know of. The GR 86 still makes a great track toy even without the extra boost. TechCrunch notes that at its price, the GR 86 doesn't have many contenders apart from the Mazda MX-5.
Trim levels available on the GR 86
The 2022 GR 86 comes with two trim levels and two transmission types. The basic model will have full LED lighting, black side mirror caps, six-speaker audio, and leather on soft touchpoints.
The premium trim level upgrades the interior with Alcantara and leather seating, heated front buckets, aluminum pedals, silver and black trim, and an eight-speaker system. It also features adaptive front lights and a duckbill spoiler on the rear.
Automatic transmission models come with safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The standard six-speed manual version has a smooth gear shift and improved throttle response with rev-matching for better downshifts.
The sports car is relatively affordable
The 2022 Toyota GR 86 will be a little more expensive than the first 86 model.
Toyota
said the car will start at around $30,000. For the speed and luxury that comes with GR 86, the price makes this sports car accessible to a lot of consumers. The only car that can come close to this price and performance is the Mazda Miata. Even then the GR 86 is more serious and delivers more performance on the track than its competitors.
The GR 86 does have some drawbacks. The back seats will be a little cramped for adults. After the brakes take a pounding on the track, you might need a heavy foot to slow and stop the car.
The automatic transmission in "Sport" mode can have a mind of its own. It stays in low gears longer to help you accelerate, but it’ll try to return to higher gears as soon as possible.
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