Toyota Remains Tight-Lipped About The GR86 Engine, But From What We Know So Far, There Are 3 Candidates For A Powertrain, With A Mazda Engine Being Very Likely

The Toyota 86 reintroduced affordable, rear-wheel-drive coupes at times when no other carmaker offered one. The original successor to the Corolla AE86 was introduced in 2011, with a slightly revised variant introduced in 2015. In 2020, the second generation, now dubbed GR86, was revealed, and given the production cycle of each generation, the third generation is due to arrive around 2027.

We know it's coming, but one question remains: Will it be entirely built by Toyota, or will the Japanese carmaker partner with someone else? We know Subaru is out of the picture, and given that the next-generation Toyota Supra won't have a BMW engine, the Germans are out of the equation too. With everything we know so far, there are three likely candidates for the powertrain of the next-generation Toyota GR86, but according to the latest rumors, a Mazda engine could be the source of power for Toyota's new affordable sports car. 

A new 2.0-liter, normally-aspirated engine, developed by Toyota 

We know Toyota developed two new engines – a 1.5 and a 2.0-liter – that will replace most other mills in the company's model lineup. While the bigger engine will be put to use in the next-generation Toyota Celica, some of the latest reports suggest this will not be the case for the next-generation Toyota GR86.

When I first reported on this, I expressed my disappointment that Toyota is going with a smaller, normally-aspirated engine for the future “86”, which I suspect will trade mid-range torque for high RPMs. Wasn't that the main issue of the original GT86?

This engine could be based on the new G20E engine but with different heads and no turbo. Toyota probably doesn't want the GR86 to share an engine with the Celica as it might create internal rivalry and hinder sales of their all-new sports car. 

Toyota is looking at Mazda for engines 

I recently reported on Toyota looking to utilize Mazda's inline-six engine for the next-generation Supra. It seems, the same could be true for the future GR86, as a Mazda engineer, reportedly joins the ranks of Toyota for future joint developments. We know the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata aims for a specific output of at least 100 horsepower and is expected to be a mild hybrid.

If the GR86 features a similar setup, it would make the choice between the two sports cars that much harder. As for the Supra, previous reports said it would be a hybrid based around the new G20E engine, which would mean no more inline-six Supra. Nothing is set in stone, however, as Toyota gives very little information. 

Should we rule out the G16E-GTS engine? 

Toyota has big plans for its smallest performance engine, which will be featured in even more upcoming models than we originally anticipated. Toyota already gave us a glimpse a G16E-powered GR86 in the form of the Rally Legends Concept, but that was essentially a modified GR86 body with GR Corolla mechanicals underneath.

I would like to see this engine in an FR platform like the 86, especially now that Toyota has improved its reliability and performance. There is a good reason Toyota doesn't want to put the larger G20E in its entry-level sports car as it would bring it dangerously close to the GR Celica's performance.

Toyota already tested the GR86 with the three-cylinder turbo for homologation purposes, and given that the car is more about balance than all-out speed, the G16E seems more suitable. 

Which engine would you like to see on the 2027 Toyota GR86? Feel free to share your thoughts by dropping a comment below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.