As somebody who was an avid rally racing fan again within the mid-90’s, I used to be fairly excited once I noticed the Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Idea on the 2024 SEMA Present, which pays tribute to the enduring Celica GT-4 that dominated the World Rally Championship.
This dynamic idea car, primarily based on the 2024 GR86 with Efficiency Package deal, showcases Toyota’s dedication to efficiency, nostalgia, and the way forward for rally racing.
Drawing inspiration from the enduring ST185 and ST205 Celica GT-4 rally automobiles of yester-year, this GR86 isn’t only a livery package deal, however as a substitute it will get an entire powertrain swap by the use of the 3-cylinder turbocharged, GR-FOUR AWD drivetrain from the GR Corolla.
The challenge began with two distinct sports activities automobiles from the GR household that have been merged right into a imaginative and prescient of how a up to date model of the legendary Celica GT-4 would possibly seem. Essentially the most formidable fabrication challenges concerned modifying the GR86’s chassis to accommodate the GR Corolla’s taller, transverse-mounted G16E-GTS engine and the GR-FOUR AWD drivetrain.
Whereas the G16 engine may match throughout the GR86 engine bay and transmission tunnel, some modification of the entrance of the chassis was required, together with a customized subframe and engine mounts to achieve the clearance required for the driveline and suspension. Changing the GR86 to all-wheel drive additionally required vital modification of the entrance suspension to include GR Corolla hubs, spindles and axles to get energy to the entrance wheels. Customized coil-over dampers have been bolted onto every nook, and customized management arms have been fabricated to enrich the subframe modifications. Further changes have been made to the GR86 steering rack to make sure correct really feel and clearances.
On the again, the group changed the inventory GR86 rear finish with the GR Corolla differential and housing to take care of manufacturing facility gear ratios, electronics performance, and energy distribution. The GR Corolla rear axles additionally required modification to suit correctly.
The G16 engine benefitted from a bunch of upgrades, together with a efficiency intercooler to relax the consumption cost, and an oil cooler to cut back engine oil temps. Engine administration duties have been delegated to a race ECU to make sure spot-on gasoline supply, spark timing, increase management and sensor monitoring all through. Whereas the GR86 Rally Legacy Idea will retain the GR Corolla’s unique specs of 300hp and 273 lb.-ft, there’s the potential to extend these numbers with additional tuning.
Visually, the GR86 Rally Legacy idea encompasses a placing Halo White exterior with heritage-inspired crimson and inexperienced colour palette, built-in with trendy Toyota and Toyota Gazoo Racing logos. Notable exterior options embrace giant crimson rally mudflaps, a customized exhaust, and a Celica GT-4-inspired spoiler, full the classic rally look.
Contained in the cockpit, this idea car has a full cage, painted in brilliant white. The motive force is held in place by racing seats with crimson, 6-point racing harnesses, aligning with Toyota Gazoo Racing’s colour scheme.
“The GR86 Rally Legacy Idea is a testomony to Toyota’s enduring ardour for rally racing, mentioned Mike Tripp, group vp, Toyota Advertising. “We did this construct for our GR and Toyota Rally followers—it’s a fantasy automobile come to life, our means of celebrating our previous achievements and the potential for the World Rally Championship making a return to the USA.”
As somebody who’s been scouring the ST205 GTFour House owners group on Fb for over a 12 months on the lookout for one to buy, I’d purchase considered one of these in a heartbeat if Toyota have been to construct it. Not all gutted out and prepared for rally, however simply the GR Corolla drivetrain swap, and the spoiler..
Should you really feel the identical means, go away a remark beneath, and possibly we will persuade Toyota to make this dangerous boy a actuality!
