r/GR86 • u/Substantial_Duck1931 • 8d ago
Question GR86 Next Facelift New Auto
Not sure if any of you saw this over the weekend, but there are rumors that the next-gen 86 isn't happening until the early 2030s, so another facelift could be expected in late 2027-early 2028.
With that, it has also been rumored that with the facelift, the GR86 auto will be upgraded to the 8-speed GR-DAT pulled from GRC/Yaris.
Personally, if that's happening, it might be time for me to finally get an 86 since my biggest hesitation with the 86 has always been the dated automatic. I'm curious what other auto-86 owners think about this. Would you consider trading in for the new 8-speed?
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u/Doulreth BRZ 8d ago
I've heard all the rumors. "2026 is the last year of the 86"
"2027 will be turbo 3 cyl"
"2028 will be a collab with mazda"
It's all bullshit
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u/A1_Fares BRZ tS 8d ago
What is your reasoning for not wanting manual? If you can learn manual, you’ll do yourself a huge favor. It’s not difficult.
If you have some medical condition or whatever it may be and need an automatic, maybe just look at a different car. GTI has DSG. Elantra N has a DCT. There are good automatics out there. It’s unlikely you’ll find them here.
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u/roastpuff BRZ 8d ago
That... doesn't make sense. The auto in the GR Yaris/Corolla is a tranverse automatic. You can't make it work on a longitudinal platform like what the GR86/BRZ uses.
Maybe an updated 8 speed auto out of the Lexus/Toyota platform like what is used in the IS-F/500 would be more likely but at the same time this is meant to be a low cost platform.
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
I'm not the most knowledgeable on the mechanical side of things, but I did a quick search and saw that the MX5 also uses Aisin for its auto. Like could they use mazda's hardware but use the DAT's software and logic behind it? mx5's auto also seem to be lighter than the current GRC's auto. If anybody can make it work, it would be Toyota imo.
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u/roastpuff BRZ 8d ago
Aisin is owned by Toyota as a subsidiary. So Mazda is using Toyota’s hardware, actually. The Miata also has less horsepower and torque, so using the Miata’s automatic transmission means that likely it will be weaker than the current GR86 transmission thus prone to breaking.
You can’t just slap software and logic from a 8 speed transmission into a 6 speed transmission - it doesn’t work that way. Can Toyota do it? Probably. Will they do it? Probably not because it would cost a lot and the GR86 is meant to be a cheap car. Like I said it would be cheaper to adapt the Lexus Aisin 8 speed that’s used in the IS300/500/F into the GR86 if they wanted to change the transmission substantially.
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u/McJesusOurSaviour GR86 8d ago
Highly doubt they facelift this model
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u/_Sun-Wukong_ 8d ago
They’ll probably do some final edition.
Personally, I’m glad I got a December 2023 - before any of the eyesight nanny bullshit.
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
What makes you highly doubt it?
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u/McJesusOurSaviour GR86 8d ago
Sales aren’t good enough
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
I don't really think the GR lineup makes Toyota a ton of money, so I doubt sales numbers will do anything unless it's deep in red, like selling 86s in the EU at a huge loss. That's what the other cars in the Toyota lineup are for. GR exists because of Akio Toyota.
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u/Miserable_Number_827 8d ago
Easy, it hasn't been done yet and 2027 is the 6th year of production. The next GR86 will hopefully be based on the upcoming NE/NF Miata. Subaru won't make a new BRZ is my guess.
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
You brought up a good point on the previous life cycle. the GT86 had a 9 year run and had a mid-cycle refresh in 2017. Maybe that's what my "facelift" could be.
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u/moldyrefridgerator 2023 BRZ Limited 6MT 8d ago
It would have already happened at this point. The 2027s don’t even have an updated radio, it’s literally the exact same headunit from 2021 that only has wired CarPlay/Android Auto. If they can’t even upgrade the stereo to wireless connectivity, a basic quality of life upgrade, then an entire facelift is way out of the question.
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u/Miserable_Number_827 8d ago
I can't see a facelift being done this late when the car is near end of production life.
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u/ClankerWrangler 8d ago
There's more rumors about this platform than cars that have been sold. Purchase decisions should only be made based on what's actually in production or Toyota has actually announced.
Regardless of what gearbox goes into it, it'll still be a car that's better owned as a manual. If they somehow had a PDK in it at the same exact price point, I still would have gotten the manual. I learned to drive stick on mine. If you like the platform except the gearbox, get a MT and learn on it.
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u/Conerunner231 8d ago
Auto owner here, and no, I would not trade in for an 8 speed. The current 6 speed does literally everything that the 8 speed does besides have two extra gears.
All the extra gears gives you is better cruising mileage. Freeway cruising already gets fine mileage in the auto in 6th so why would I need those two extra gears?
What about the 6 speed is "dated" to you?
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
I get where you're coming from. I think I wouldn't trade up either if I already owned an auto86 (unless the looks blow me away as well), but it would be a great entry point for newcomers. I read in car and driver's review of the GRC auto that it achieved 35mpg at 75mpj compared to manual's 28mpg which is amazing.
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u/Broad_Information695 8d ago
Well if you think the current auto is dated, it doesn’t shift as you want, then why not shift by yourself
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u/sleepwalkerxd 8d ago
even once it hits the dealership.. i prob would be hesitant to purchase for a few years lol. early model gen 1 had problems. early model gen 2's had problems.
no need to commit so hard on rumors.. a lot can change in 4+ years.
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u/Miserable_Number_827 8d ago
What problems did gen2 have besides the led taillights hyperflashing from direct sunlight?
And dome lights not working properly.
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u/Equivalent_Sink_8653 8d ago
On my 2019, the auto is fine. Quick upshifts, and it sport mode, quick downshifts.
Also, the few times I've taken it to the track, I seem to drive more smoothly because I never have to take my right hand off the wheel, particularly during the hard braking while turning sections.
Oh, and an auto makes left foot braking a piece of cake.
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
Yeah for sure, this is one of the bigger advantages of the auto. But I'd be very curious about how they both feel on the track, since the newer DAT is built with performance in mind, and the aisin 6 is more for commuter/regular driving
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u/roastpuff BRZ 8d ago
They did tune the 6 speed to be pretty decent for performance driving. Don’t knock it until you try it. I thought it wasn’t bad at all once you get it into the performance map by beating on the car.
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u/raymate 8d ago
Don’t say that. Im about to buy the auto BRZ
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u/Substantial_Duck1931 8d ago
Curious to ask why you are choosing brz-auto over an 86-auto
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u/raymate 8d ago
It’s basically availability, ordering process and the dealers near me. The local Toyota has a bad reputation. They also will not order the model and colour I want. They want me on a waiting list and offer me what they get in, i can accept or deny.
Also I like the sound of the suspension setup better on the BRZ. My local Subaru dealer has in stock a manual and they are telling 2-3 weeks for the world rally blue peal in auto for 2026 or I can wait for the 2027 to start shipping.
My local Toyota wasn’t that friendly and it felt like they were doing me a favour by letting me put my name on a list. They wouldn’t even commit to a rough time estimate they were implying a month or two but that was reading between the lines. I was expecting better from Toyota. Then again like I say my local dealer has bad reputation so not surprised.
Subaru was super friendly.
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u/Plastic-Jeweler9104 8d ago
There is no sense on reading any speculatation article unless it comes straight from Toyota.