Toyota GR86: Australian launch pushed out to late 2022, BRZ still on time

UPDATE, 23 November, 2021: BRZ still on time

Full details are still to come, but Subaru Australia has today confirmed with MOTOR that the 2022 Subaru BRZ is still on track for a first-quarter 2022 launch.

So, barring any further delays, fans of two-door Japanese sports cars can expect to see the BRZ in the next few months, followed by the new Nissan Z in mid-2022, and the GR86 sometime later in the year.

Mike Stevens

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UPDATE, 22 November, 2021: GR86 due in late 2022

The 2022 Toyota GR86 will instead arrive in Australia as the 2023 Toyota GR86, with confirmation coming today that the new sports car's local sales launch won't occur until some time in the second half of next year – at least 15 months since the car was first unveiled internationally.

Punters will get an opportunity to see the GR86 make its static (non-driving) debut at December's Great Race Festival in Bathurst, but – with no specific timing revealed beyond that "second half" statement – it could be still a year from now before hopefuls can turn their interest into a purchase.

Luckily, fans of the platform can at least get a deposit in for the 86's Subaru BRZ twin, which is – for now, at least – expected here in the first quarter of 2022.

We've asked Subaru to confirm if the BRZ is still on track for the launch timing first announced in September, and we'll update this story when we know more.

Mike Stevens

The story to here

July 30, 2021: Toyota Australia has revealed it will be announcing an official date for the local arrival of the new GR86 later this year.

The information was confirmed today by the Japanese manufacturing giant as part of its campaign to continually drip-feed and tease the local release of its new sports car.

As it phases out the existing 86, which first hit the market in 2012 and has sold in excess of 20,000 units, Toyota edges closer to bringing its GR 86 successor to showrooms – having initially broken cover in April and recently making its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Set to join the existing GR Yaris and GR Supra in Toyota's performance vehicle range, the GR 86 will pack an upgraded 2.4-litre, flat-four engine which pushes power and torque up to 173kW and 250Nm respectively, a 21kW/38Nm increase over the 2.0-litre unit in the current 86.

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GR 86 is likely to land locally in 2022

Toyota Australia's Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, believes the popularity of the existing model will lend itself to the GR 86 when it eventually arrives Down Under.

"Since it arrived in Australia, the 86 coupe has found favour with sports car enthusiasts, whether it is being driven on winding back roads, around town or even out on the racetrack," said Hanley.

"Its popularity is evident by the demand we are seeing even at the end of the current 86's lifecycle, showing that fans still have an appetite for compact, lightweight and affordable sports coupes and the new GR 86 will continue to delight them with updates which will make this an even more fun vehicle to drive."

Although the 86 is no longer available to order, Toyota says it still has limited stock across its Australian network of dealers which will likely sell out by the time the GR 86 launches.

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The first 86, seen here in GTS guise, was released in 2012, selling over 20,000 units in just under 10 years