A Turbocharged GT86 Isn't Possible Without A New Platform, Toyota Says

Recent comments from GT86 development chief Tetsuya Tada effectively halt the long-spinning turbo rumour mill

14 Mar 2018

No matter how many times high-ranking Toyota employees rule out a turbocharged version of the GT86, we’ve remained living in hope. After all, we’ve seen just how amazing the boxer-engined sports car can be with more power and a few supporting mods from the aftermarket, so how awesome would it be if we had such a thing form Toyota itself?

Now though, GT86 and GR Supra engineer Tetsuya Tada has effectively put the turbo speculation to bed for good.

Speaking to Car Advice, Tada-san assured that he certainly isn’t averse to turbochargers. “There were some articles in the media that Mr Tada doesn’t like a turbo,” he said, adding, “That’s not really true. I do like turbos, however if we come up with a turbo version of the 86 and boost up the power that would result in the necessity of changing the basic configuration completely, to come up with a car that I would be satisfied with.”

A Turbocharged GT86 Isn't Possible Without A New Platform, Toyota Says

Why? It’s all about balance, Tada-san explained.The standard the car is “slightly front loaded so it makes the handling more fast and agile,” so the weight of a turbocharger plus all the ancillaries would muck that up. “That means we have to come up with a completely new platform,” he concluded.

So for now, it’s safe to say it isn’t going to happen. But hey - when the next GT86 is here, we can go back to dreaming once more.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

BS.

ok but the new platform has to be a supra and also its fast and furious

Toyota should do a rear mount turbo

Car guys forget a lot that car maker realise calcul for every part when they developp a car, a part, a bolt. And Japanese are probably the best at it. The gt86 got prius tyres, this should be the first thing you think of when he says it needs a new platform.

I think they need a new platform for a turbo 86 is because the current 86 (i think) focused on handling which is really great and fun to drive (pshhh, you dont have any license nor a car). Adding a factory turbo kit, obviously has weight in it, would disturb the handling characteristics of the car. But why bother a new platform?

Wait. There’s no turbocharged gt86 ?

We don’t have to make a new platform because of the new Supra which is twin turbocharged

Well, I just ordered turbo parts for my FRS. I guess we will see if it is possible or not. Gonna have a nice gtx3071r snail right in front of the engine. Boost is love.