Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept channels its inner Celica GT-Four DNA

Updated: 06 November 2024

► Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept
► Unveiled at 2024 SEMA tuning show
► Inspired by 1990s Celica GT-Four

Toyota has sent its wonderfully old-school GR86 sports car off to rally school – and come up with this at the 2024 SEMA tuning show: the Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept.

If it looks familiar to car enthusiasts of a certain age, that’s because it’s directly inspired by the 1990s Celica GT-Four rally hotshot, all the way down to the addition of an extra driven axle to make it a WRC wannabe all-wheel drive.

Bespoke central-exit exhaust for Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept

Yes, this GR86 Rally Legacy Concept drops its rear-wheel drive hardware for a transplant from the Toyota GR Corolla

Why the rally-raid GR86 has adopted the GR Corolla 4wd system

This is a concept car, so we’ll suspend disbelief for a moment. But the GR86, a resolutely rear-wheel drive driftmobile, has been hacked about to accept the drivetrain from little brother the GR Corolla, an all-wheel drive hot hatch not available in Europe. 

Three-cylinder turbo powertrain from GR Corolla

Bespoke fabricators had to adapt the engine bay significantly to take the Corolla’s taller, transverse-mounted G16E-GTS engine and GR-Four AWD drivetrain, deploying a custom subframe and engine mounts to gain the clearance required.

‘The aim is to evoke memories of the legendary rally car that enthusiasts have admired on rally stages and in popular racing video games,’ said Paul Doleshal, general manager of Motorsports and Assets at Toyota Motor North America. ‘That idea led to a formative conversation about how cool it would be to create a modern interpretation of such an iconic car.’

Is it rally quick?

Sounds like it. The three-cylinder turbo engine gets a race ECU and tuned intercooler and oil cooler to cope with off-road endeavours. Peak power stands at 300bhp while torque is a punchy 273lb ft.

Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept: side profile

The white, red and green colour scheme is a blast from the past for anyone interested in Toyota’s motorsport history – and the brace of driving lights, bewinged rear spoiler and red rally mudflaps complete the vintage rally look. 

Yes please, Toyota!

By Tim Pollard

Group digital editorial director, car news magnet, crafter of words

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