Toyota GR86 Ready to Race

Toyota Motor Philippines has unveiled the GR86 Cup Car for a new one-make racing class in the 2027 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup, with prices starting at P2.96 million.

The company is preparing an initial grid of up to 30 cars for the new category, which will join the existing Vios and Tamaraw One-Make Race (OMR) classes.

Developed with Autoplus Sports, the GR86 Cup Car comes in two versions: a Core Spec priced at P2,960,000 and a Performance Spec at P3,290,000. Both are prepared for circuit competition, with equipment developed and tested over the past year.

Interestingly, the Core Spec costs P27,000 less than the standard manual-transmission GR86, which currently retails for P2,987,000.

The lower-priced version already includes essential racing equipment such as a roll cage, Recaro RSS-L bucket seat, Schroth Clubman 2×2 harness, fire extinguisher, safety net, tow hook and emergency kill switch.

It also receives upgraded Brembo brake components, racing brake fluid, brake cooling ducts, a BRD engine oil cooler and a Greddy oil pan baffle. The latter helps maintain oil supply during sustained cornering, when lateral forces can cause oil to move away from the engine’s pickup.

Drivers seeking additional performance can choose the higher-specification car, which receives a Brembo Racing Pista FF4 big brake kit with upgraded discs, calipers and pads.

Suspension improvements include Riaction one-way adjustable coilovers and stabilizer links. The car also gets 17-inch MID Racing R10 Evo wheels fitted with GT Radial SX2 tires.

Other additions include a BRD catback exhaust, a Momo racing steering wheel and the removal of the rear seats and carpeting to reduce weight.

Both versions retain the standard GR86’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter FA24 flat-four gasoline engine, rated at 237 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

Power reaches the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, which helps distribute torque between the driven wheels when cornering.

Toyota has confirmed that Core and Performance Spec cars will compete in the same class rather than separate divisions. Owners who initially purchase the Core Spec can upgrade their cars later, subject to the series’ technical regulations.

The first 30 units carry the introductory prices, with subsequent batches expected to cost more than P3 million for the Core Spec and P3.4 million for the Performance Spec. These later prices remain tentative.

Recent reports indicate that 22 of the initial 30 cars have already been sold.

Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto has also confirmed plans to compete in the new category next year.

The GR86 Cup Car is available for reservation through Toyota GR Performance Dealers and Autoplus Sports. Minor specification adjustments may still be introduced before the 2027 racing season.