2023 Toyota GR86 features detailed for Australia

Features for the 2023 Toyota GR86 have been confirmed, ahead of the second-generation sports coupe's arrival in Australian showrooms this September.

Representing the second generation of Toyota's small sports car, the GR86 has been improved across the board compared to its decade-old predecessor, with a more powerful engine, more technology and a new look – all shared with its Subaru BRZ twin.

The Toyota GR86 will be powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated flat four-cylinder petrol engine, sending 174kW and 250Nm to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Australia has announced plans to two variants of the GR86 to local showrooms – the base GT and the better-equipped GTS, mirroring the grade structure of the outgoing 86.

As with the previous-generation 86 and BRZ, Toyota's base GR86 GT variant features less standard equipment than Subaru's entry-level BRZ offering – although the pair are nearly identical in their flagship GR86 GTS and BRZ S grades.

While both versions of the Subaru BRZ are fitted with advanced safety technology such as rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring as standard, the driver aids are limited to the dearer Toyota GR86 GTS.

As with its Subaru BRZ twin, manual versions of the Toyota GR86 do not feature autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – with this technology, along with lane departure warning, limited to automatic versions.

From March 2023, the Australian Government will mandate AEB in all newly-introduced vehicles introduced to local showrooms. The GR86's planned September launch will see it just slide in ahead of this deadline.

The GR86 and BRZ are yet to be tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – however AEB is a key feature needed for a five-star rating.

Toyota Australia says it will confirm pricing for the 2023 GR86 closer to its local launch next month.

However, using Toyota's previous strategy to undercut the Subaru BRZ's base price, industry speculation suggests the manual GR86 GT could go on sale from $35,000 plus on-road costs, with the higher-grade GTS starting closer to $40,000 plus on-road costs with a manual. These remain estimates for now.

The base Subaru BRZ is priced from $40,290 plus on-road costs, while the BRZ S starts at $41,590 plus on-road costs – both with manual transmissions.

Last month, Toyota Australia announced it would offer a limited-run GR86 10th Anniversary Edition, with only 86 to be built. Members of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Club will be given the first chance to buy one of these cars.

The 2023 Toyota GR86 is due in Australian showrooms in September 2022.

Pricing to be confirmed closer to Australian arrival.