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Toyota's GR86 sports car roars into Korea

Published: 16 May. 2022, 15:49 Updated: 16 May. 2022, 16:44

Racer Lee Jung-woo poses with Toyota Motor's GR86 sports cars. [TOYOTA MOTOR KOREA]

Toyota Motor introduced its new GR86 sports car to the Korean market Monday, a decade after its last redo.

The GR86 is a descendant of the 86, which was launched in 2012, and is part of the Japanese carmaker's motorsports brand Toyota Gazoo Racing. In 2021, that brand's racing team won a fourth consecutive victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race held annually in Le Mans, France.

The GR86 has an engine displacement of 2,387 cubic centimeters (146 cubic inches), around 400 cubic centimeters more than the 86, allowing speedier acceleration and response time.

It comes with all features that can run on race tracks, the carmaker said.

Its 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. It comes with improved clutch engagement and gear strength, which offer higher horsepower and torque.

The car generates a maximum of 231 horsepower and 25.5 kilogram-meters of torque.

It only takes 6.3 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour.

The use of aluminum for roof panels lowers the center of gravity, Toyota said, while aluminum fenders and updated front seats and mufflers contribute to reduced weight.

"The GR86 will be a good option for customers who want the pleasure of driving with an authentic sports car with strong fundamentals," Kang Dae-hwan, director at Toyota Motor Korea, said Monday during an online press conference. "Toyota Korea will try to raise the awareness of motorsports in Korea with the newly introduced GR86."

The sticker price of the GR86 starts at 40.3 million won ($31,400).