My FH5 Log: Scene Stealer!

When the Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were launched in 2021, they were expected to be the stars of the show. However, the Japanese arrival of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 stole their thunder and went on to win Japan's Performance Car of the Year award. Why?

That's an interesting but silly question. Why did the C8 Corvette win the award that was supposed to be for the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes? Before that, let's have a quick re-introduction of these cars.

The Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were unveiled in 2021. They are built on an improved version of the signature platform, with upgraded suspension and chassis for better cornering and traction. The flat-4 engine has been increased from 2.0L to 2.4L, resulting in more horsepower and torque.

The eighth-generation Corvette is no longer the Corvette the world knows. For the first time in its history, it's been morphed into a mid-engined supercar, a move that displeased most Corvette purists. Being the first production mid-engined car from General Motors, the C8 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque. Mated to a Corvette-first 8-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out in 312kph. It features a brand-new Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which reads the road every millisecond and adapts in about 10 to 15 milliseconds, as well as double wishbone suspension with height adjustable capability.

The Chevrolet C8 Corvette defeated the second-generation Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 to become the 2021-2022 Japan Performance Car of the Year, the first for an American-made car to win the title.

With Horizon Mexico's smallest circuit track set in the town of Guanajuato becoming my laboratory, the second-generation ToyoBaru coupe twins joined forces to battle against the C8 Corvette. The question is, will they beat the mid-engined American monster machine? Let's roll the tape.

And here are the results...

BRZ ZD8 - 1m00.077s

GR86 - 59.526s

C8 Corvette - 55.005s

The C8 Corvette massively defeated the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes with such margins. It's no wonder the Japanese motoring press turned their faces away from them in favor of the Corvette.

Despite being defeated by the Chevrolet C8 Corvette in the title of 2021 Japan's Performance Car of the Year Award, both the GR86 and the BRZ are still one of the best sports cars of the early 2020s because of their affordability, accessible dynamics, and limitless tuning possibilities to turn these reasonably fast cars around. Speaking of which, it's time to reward the ToyoBaru twins for the hard work they've done today. In the spirit of Let's ¡Go!, how about a little Making Drama to spice things up? But first...

The GR86, for the first time in Horizon Mexico, is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's main character, Himari Aozora. Suits her personality. As for the BRZ...

My BRZ is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's other main character, Mitsuki Hosihkawa. When you look at them, they remind you of the two heroines from "Himitsu no AiPri" who are known for their idol activities across the metaverse. Today is "AiPriVerse Day!"

With the ToyoBaru twins versed in, the GR86 will battle against the competition in a neon-packed EventLab creation called "Neon City Race". At the same time, the BRZ takes on what's known to be an EventLab re-enactment of Malaysia's Genting Highlands, where the mountain roads evoke the drivers' Initial D fantasies. As MC AIMU would say, "AiPriVerse Day!"

Who performed better? Himari or Mitsuki?

The GR86 and BRZ are the fruits of the wonderful collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. These two cars are fit to take on the bold challenges of the Reiwa era. These cars may not live forever in the age of electrification, but the 86 and the BRZ have created an impressive legacy that will be remembered forever for many generations.

Together they stand, united they fall.

My FH5 Log: Keep Toyota GReat Again

The new era of JDM sports cars is here, and it's being led by the GR Supra, the GR Yaris, and the GR86. These three models are the first of their kind in this current era, and they're all from Toyota, a Japanese motoring giant. 

Toyota has always been at the forefront of automotive innovation, and they're continuing that tradition with these three new sports cars. They're all designed to be fun to drive, and they all have the performance to match. If you're looking for a new sports car, one of these three is sure to be a great option.

The GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sports cars. It was launched in May of 2019 and hailed as the return of "The Sports of Toyota." This car has been met with mixed reactions, but it’s definitely the first JDM sports car of the new era. 

Though it’s a Supra, it's basically a BMW Z4 G23 underneath due to the connection between BMW and Toyota. Its design borrows inspiration from the FT-1 Concept and shares most of its engines with the BMW Z4, like the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant. The RZ variant produces 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.

Next up is the GR Yaris that I won from Forza Horizon 5 Modern Horizons Dry Season Playlist. The new Toyota GR Yaris is a road-legal rally car, and it’s the second JDM sports car of the Reiwa era. It’s based on the fourth-generation Yaris, but it’s wider and has two fewer doors. It’s powered by a 1.6L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, and it has a GR-FOUR four-wheel-drive system. There’s also a cheaper RS variant with a 1.5L engine and a CVT.

Lastly but not obviously the least is the Toyota GR86. The GR86 is a worthy successor to the GT86. It keeps all the qualities that made the GT86 so popular, while also improving upon them in many ways. The updated platform and suspension give it better handling than ever before, and the larger engine provides a noticeable boost in power. If you're looking for an affordable sports car that's fun to drive, the GR86 is definitely worth considering.

Here we go again. It's time to give these Reiwa-era Toyota sports cars a quick lap around the Lookout Circuit located near the Horizon Rush site. As the trio of Reiwa-era Toyota sports cars flex its Japanese muscles, it's time to give them a one-lap time attack just to find out which one is best. Roll the tape.

And here are the results...

GR Supra - 1m04.548s

GR Yaris - 1m06.633s

GR86 - 1m06.667s

The Supra is still the king of Toyota sports cars even in its modern form. I have no judgment here. It's a great car, and it's easy to see why it's so popular. If you're looking for a new sports car, the Supra should definitely be on your list.

The Reiwa era has shown signs of what the future holds. In the case of sports cars, will the future include them or will they be wiped out? It’s going to be a tough battle for companies who still make sports cars, including Toyota, but an exciting one nonetheless.

So thank you, Toyota, for creating sports cars enthusiasts will love in the midst of the new normal.

EPILOGUE

With the GR Yaris completing the Reiwa era JDM sports car First Three in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to give this road-legal rally car the spotlight it deserves. This calls for a makeover.

And here she is. Ann from Aikatsu Planet, come on down!

With Ann's name written all over the GR Yaris and I made some rally-spec calibrations to match the GRMN Yaris Rally Package's specifications, it's time for its one-car show as my GR Yaris takes on a complex rallycross creation made by a certain Forza fanatic. If by complex, it really is, especially while battling against a horde of old cars preparing to meet their makers. Send in the video.

Complex as expected but the Rally Package on my GR Yaris worked wonders.

The GR Yaris is definitely a rally weapon, but it's still an enjoyable sports car. It's every bit as much fun to drive as the GR86, and it's even more exciting than the king of Toyota sports cars: the GR Supra. If you're looking for a road-legal rally car that's fun to drive nearly everywhere, the GR Yaris is a great option. It's a well-rounded car that can do it all.

KEEP TOYOTA GREAT AGAIN!

My FH5 Log: 86 -Eighty Six-

Launched over a decade ago, the Toyota 86 is proof that you don't need to blow your budget away to get a sports car that's fun enough for you and your tuning needs.

Fresh from the FH5 Summer Party Dry Season playlist, here comes the new version of the reborn Hachiroku, welcome to the Toyota GR86.

So, what's it all about the GR86?

Launched three months later than its Subaru BRZ twin, which is now in its second generation form, the GR86 proudly carries over where its predecessor left off while still delivering the same accessible dynamics coveted the world over. It utilizes the improved version of its signature platform used by its predecessor. While the new model is similarly sized compared to the old one, the sport-tuned suspension and chassis have been updated to make it more enjoyable to drive than the previous model.

Under the hood, the flat-four boxer engine had its displacement up from the previous model's 2.0L to 2.4L, resulting in an increased power output of 235PS and 250Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or auto.

Compared to its predecessor, the GR86 feels so much more addictive and more fun to drive, taking this reasonably fast car a step to ascension. With the added power and improved dynamics, this is Hachiroku redefined for the Reiwa era and I'm hooked on it, thank you very much.

Speaking of ascension, let's find out how much the GR86 evolved from its 86 predecessor. With that, it's time for a Hillclimb run in the dead of the night because such a setting gives me the Initial D vibes. Anyway, no time for sentimental thoughts. Let's get this experiment rolling, pronto.

And now the results...

86 - 3m59.823s

GR86 - 3m41.889s

Talk about a massive improvement compared to the previous model! Guess the ToyoBaru collaboration really leveled up with this one.

The Toyota 86 is famed for being cheap, easy to drive, and fun in every way, and the GR86 still boasts the same purposes but now with the added power and improved dynamics to keep up with the challenges of the new normal. The world's favorite reasonably fast car has turned.

I was going to wrap this up but I have other plans with the GR86 so watch this space...

My GT7 Log: A decade of 86 and BRZ

2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ twin coupes and what better way to celebrate a decade of the twin FR coupes that rocked the street scene than discovering the evolution of the ToyoBaru twins.

Okay, so where should we start? Oh yes! The beginning, of course!

The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ made their world premiere at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and then went on sale in the Spring of 2012 with the BRZ first in late March 2012 and then the 86 a month later. Under the hood, the 86 and the BRZ are powered by a 2.0L boxer-four D-4S engine that produces 200PS of power and 205Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed AT or a 6-speed MT. Thanks to this engine powerplant, both of these coupes have a low center of gravity and because of that, they have accessible handling, the hallmark of the 86 and the BRZ, and because being JDM machines, speedo boys expressed endless creativities with these machines courtesy of aftermarket tuning potential.

In 2016, both the 86 and the BRZ received a minor change featuring a revised front, new interior, and a slight upgrade on its 2.0L flat-four engine, producing 7PS more than the pre-facelifted models. Not only that, both of these models now come with improved springs and dampers as well as increased spot welding points on the rear pillars, allowing for better steering response and ride comfort and with the optional Sachs dampers, the handling is slightly improved.

Fast forward to the year 2021, the Toyota GR 86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ have been unveiled. Running on the improved version of its signature platform, the new models have improved the suspension and chassis for improved cornering abilities as well as better traction. Under the hood, the flat-4 engine that contributed to the car's low center of gravity had its displacement up from the previous model's 2.0L to 2.4L, resulting in an increased power output of 235PS and 250Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or auto.

And there you have it, a decade of 86 and BRZ well summed up for your nostalgic pleasure. Although I had a blast getting to know the evolution of the ToyoBaru twin coupes, there's something missing...Of course! Let's compare them and find out which of these twins is the alpha. This will be the showdown between Team 86 and Team BRZ. It's going to be out of this world.

Using the Streets of Willow Springs segment from California's Willow Springs International Raceway as the venue for the ideal turf war, it's time to find out which side is the best. Are you with Team 86 or Team BRZ? Let's roll the tape.

With two sides done their laps in the Streets of Willow Springs, here are the results;

86 - 1:31.562

BRZ - 1:31.874

86 F/L - 1:31.314

BRZ F/L STi Sport - 1:30.160

GR86 - 1:26.963

BRZ II - 1:27.360

It's a 2:1 split decision in favor of Team 86, meaning that despite being the same machines, it's no wonder why most speedo boys love to be with Team 86 rather than Team BRZ. What a shocker as such but anyway...

The 86 and BRZ are fruits of the wonderful collaboration between Toyota and Subaru and with their latest versions fit to take on the bold challenges of the Reiwa era, these two sides are gearing their brave faces on as they're ready to fight to the death in this ever-changing unstable world we live in. These cars may not live forever in the age of electrification but the 86 and the BRZ have created an impressive legacy that will be remembered forever for many generations to come.

Whether you're Team 86 or Team BRZ, in this unstable world, these machines are clear reminders that you, speedo boys, must fulfill their destinies until the true endgame comes sooner than later.

As always, enjoy these new machines in GT7!