A fresh report out of Japan suggests the new Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ will not be turbocharged as previously claimed.

Ever since the two Japanese firms confirmed the joint development of follow-up models to the current Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ, there have been rumours aplenty regarding possible powertrains.

Initially, there were suggestions grunt would come from a Subaru-sourced turbocharged 2,4-litre horizontally opposed engine. Then talk turned to Subaru’s turbocharged 1,8-litre flat-four.

The latest report from Japan’s Best Car Web, however, claims a naturally aspirated version of the 2,4-litre unit mentioned above will be employed.

Here, the publication claims, the boxer mill will offer 162 kW and 240 N.m to the rear axle, up from the current 2,0-litre engine’s 147 kW and 205 N.m. Of course, that’d leave sufficient breathing space for the 190 kW entry-level four-cylinder Supra offered in some markets.

The report furthermore suggests transmission options will again include a six-speed manual and an automatic gearbox.

According to Best Car Web, the new GR 86 (widely expected to be rebranded under the Gazoo Racing banner) and BRZ could debut as early as March 2021.

The Toyota GT86 line-up in South Africa currently comprises just a single derivative, priced at R632 200. The BRZ, meanwhile, was pulled from the local market back in September 2015.

Original article from Car