Report: Subaru and Toyota to continue collaborating on next-gen BRZ/FRS/GT 86, could include plug-in hybrid
Subaru and Toyota joined forced to make the BRZ/FRS/GT 86 trio, a very special car designed with one thing in mind–driving fun. And I’m one to not care about all of the magazine racers demanding more power from it since it really does not need it.
Nonetheless, whether your a fan of the GT 86 platform or not, word is from AutomotiveNews that the next-generation model will still be developed and built by Subaru and Toyota collaboratively and now, rumor has it the second-gen car could even gain a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Subaru’s head-honcho, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, confirmed with AN that both companies will continue working together for the new car. But it won’t see the light of day for a good several years, given the current car has yet to even be refreshed for the mid-cycle.
The new car will continue to be rear-wheel drive and obviously, the more interesting news is the factoring of this supposed new plug-in hybrid variant, which would make it a first of its kind for Subaru’s lineup.
No technical details are available just yet, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see how a hybrid powertrain gets applied to the next GT 86 platform, since most hybrids these days come with a fun-killing CVT and no option for a manual.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews
