SOME CONCEPTS NEED TO BECOME REALITY - THE GR86 RALLY LEGACY CONCEPT IS ONE OF THEM.
Toyota has taken the wraps off its all-new GR86 Rally Legacy Concept at the 2024 SEMA Show, a custom build that celebrates the brand's rich rally history while giving a nod to its high-performance future. This unique concept is based on the 2024 GR86 equipped with the Performance Package and combines Toyota’s passion for rally racing with a fresh twist on a beloved motorsport icon. With chatter about the potential return of the World Rally Championship (WRC) to the U.S., Toyota saw the perfect opportunity to revisit its rally racing legacy and celebrate its iconic motorsports history. Inspired by the legendary ST185 and ST205 Celica GT-Four models that dominated rally stages in the past, Toyota has equipped the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept with a powerful new heart - the turbocharged 3-cylinder GR-FOUR AWD system borrowed from the GR Corolla. “We wanted to rekindle the memories of Toyota’s iconic rally cars, the ones that thrilled fans on the stages and in racing games alike,” says Paul Doleshal, General Manager of Motorsports and Assets at Toyota Motor North America. “From there, the idea evolved into creating a modern take on such a legendary vehicle.” The concept began by merging the GR86’s sports car platform with the rugged, rally-bred mechanics of the GR Corolla. This integration demanded major adjustments, particularly in reworking the GR86’s chassis to fit the GR Corolla’s taller, transverse-mounted G16E-GTS engine and its GR-FOUR AWD drivetrain. The G16 engine could fit, but front-end modifications were essential, including a custom subframe and engine mounts for proper driveline and suspension clearance.
Achieving AWD capability required extensive re-engineering of the GR86’s front suspension system. The team installed custom coil-over dampers, modified GR Corolla hubs, spindles, and axles, and crafted custom control arms to make the setup rally-ready. At the rear, they swapped the standard GR86 rear end with the GR Corolla differential and housing, retaining Toyota’s factory gear ratios and electronics compatibility. To complete the AWD system, GR Corolla rear axles were modified to fit the GR86’s layout. Under the hood, the G16 engine was enhanced with performance upgrades, including an intercooler for better intake cooling and an oil cooler to keep temps in check. Power management is handled by a race-grade ECU, which meticulously controls fuel delivery, spark timing, boost levels, and sensor tracking. The GR86 Rally Legacy Concept maintains the GR Corolla’s potent output of 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, though it’s primed for future tuning. Dressed in a striking Halo White finish with heritage-inspired red and green livery, this concept channels Toyota’s rally heyday, adorned with modern Toyota and Toyota Gazoo Racing branding. Standout exterior touches include bold red mudflaps, a custom exhaust, and a Celica GT-Four-inspired spoiler that completes the rally-ready look. Inside, a full white-painted cage complements racing seats with red, 6-point harnesses, reinforcing Toyota Gazoo Racing’s colour scheme.
“The GR86 Rally Legacy Concept is our tribute to Toyota’s enduring love for rallying,” says Mike Tripp, Group Vice President of Toyota Marketing. “This build is for our GR and rally fans - a dream car brought to life, celebrating our past rally triumphs while fueling excitement about a possible WRC return to American soil.”
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off all you could want to know about the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept, and the absolute best part about this is that it's by one of the best in automotive photography, Larry Chen. This car needs to become a reality, or at least lead to a new Celica that's not an SUV: AWD GR86 GR-Four? Rebirth of Toyota's Famed Celica Rally Car For SEMA 2024 | Larry Chen
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