The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ is an outstanding driver’s car. The one persistent quibble about the Toyobaru is the car’s less-than-optimal power output — 205 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four. That might be about to change, though. A rumor from Japan’s Best Car that was found by The Drive suggests that the power output may be in for a significant bump.
This rumor has the next generation 86/BRZ replacing the current 2.0-liter boxer-four with Subaru’s turbocharged 2.4-liter FA24 flat-four found in the Ascent and other vehicles. That engine puts out 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque — closer to the output enthusiasts feel the Toyobaru deserves. Of course, Toyota and Subaru want the 86/BRZ to serve as a basic sporty model within their lineup that appeals to buyers, but not at the expense of the company’s more prestigious and expensive models; as such, detuning the engine might well be in the cards.
After all, for Subaru, the FA24 turbo could be an engine option for a next-gen WRX and WRX STI (though previous rumors have Subaru looking elsewhere). A BRZ with a stick and 260 horsepower would likely undercut the base WRX (which is rumored to be headed our way without a manual). For Toyota, a 260-horsepower 86 with a manual option would almost certainly have sports car buyers rethinking whether to buy the new Supra.
Like Porsche with the Cayman/Boxster, the Toyobaru needs to be good to succedd. But it starts to become a problem if it becomes too good — and thus makes fancier sports cars in the fleet look bad.
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