Next-Gen 2025 Toyota GR86 Could Be A Hybrid

Here we go again. Yet another fully combustible sports car off to the chopping block. But at least this one won’t be replaced by an all-electric successor just yet.

Rumours coming out of the Land of the Rising Sun indicates that the next-gen Toyota GR86 could be electrified, and poised for launch in 2025. The shift to a hybrid could signal the end of the current-gen GR86’s boxer 4-cyl engine. Instead, rumours suggest it might favour a smaller turbocharged powerplant to work in tandem with a hybrid electric motor setup.

Following previous reports on Toyota GR models won’t be electrified by at least 2030, these new rumours come as quite a surprise – albeit in a good way.

Unlike its previous iterations jointly developed and built with Subaru, the development of the new GR86 will supposedly be led by Toyota entirely – as reported by Best Car Web. The good news for ‘purist’ sports car fans here is that this new GR86 will retain its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration, thus maintaining its sports coupe pedigree in this sense too.

Said portal also further reports that the Subaru Global Platform (SGP) – used in AWD-equipped Subaru Impreza models – has been deemed ‘unfit’ for re-adaptation to RWD, hence prompting Toyota to take charge of this project entirely. Instead, this next-gen GR86 will likely underpin the Lexus IS’s platform.

Much of the changes – aside from its looks – takes place under its skin. It’s likely that Subaru’s 2.4-litre boxer 4-cyl engine will be dropped in favour of the 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo lump derived from both the GR Corolla and GR Yaris hot hatches. Furthermore, the hybrid components are said to be salvaged from the recently launched Toyota Crown.

As the 1.6-litre powertrain mentioned is already capable of delivering at least 300 HP and 370 NM, a much higher output is theoretically possible from hybrid petrol-electric setup.

From the renderings published by Best Car Web, the next-gen GR86 is also set to feature some elements from Toyota’s current design language whilst maintaining the 86’s signature fastback coupe silhouette. Slanting and elongated lights on both ends akin to current EVs will perhaps serve as a reminder of its electrification.

With Subaru reportedly having no direct involvement in its development, will we see Toyota adopt a whole new product strategy for the next-gen GR86? What’s certain though is that the next wave of GR-badged performance cars will still harness an ICE before it eventually goes full electric.

Image credit: Best Car Web