Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept Debuts at SEMA, Pays Tribute to 90's Celica GT-Four

Toyota revealed the GR86 Rally Legacy concept at the 2024 SEMA show in Las Vegas, where the Japanese manufacturer has also revealed the Cruiser ROX. This stunning tribute to the legendary Celica GT-Four rally cars of the 1990s showcases a retro livery and a prominent rear wing, reminiscent of the iconic rally designs that made the Celica a force to be reckoned with. The Toyota Celica GT-Four dominated the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the 1990s. The ST165 model secured 13 WRC series wins, with Carlos Sainz claiming the 1990 Driver's Title. The ST185 model further cemented Toyota's rally dominance, achieving 16 WRC series victories and three overall wins in the W2L series. Renowned drivers like Carlos Sainz (1992), Juha Kankkunen (1993), and Didier Auriol (1994) secured Driver's Titles during this era. The ST205 model also contributed to Toyota's success with one WRC series win and two W2L overall victories. The GR86 Rally Legacy concept pays homage to this golden era of rallying, reminding us of Toyota's rich motorsport heritage.

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

Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept: Design

The GR86 Rally Legacy concept is a head-turner, finished in a striking Halo White paint scheme and adorned with a vibrant red-and-green livery that pays homage to the iconic Castrol-sponsored Celica GT-Four rally cars. Red mud flaps and a custom exhaust system, cleverly tucked away where the license plate would normally reside, further accentuate the car’s rally-bred purpose. The concept’s rear spoiler, echoing the curvature of the Celica’s legendary wing, and the front-mounted rally lights complete the aggressive, performance-oriented look.

Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept: Interior

The GR86 Rally Legacy's interior is designed with the driver in mind. It has a white roll cage to keep the driver safe and red racing seats with six-point harnesses. This design matches Toyota Gazoo Racing's style and shows the car's focus on speed.

Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept: Engine

Toyota transformed the GR86 by swapping out the original 228bhp 2.4-litre flat-four and rear-wheel-drive setup for the turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder and all-wheel-drive system from the GR Corolla hatchback.

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This upgraded 1.6-litre engine received several performance enhancements, including a high-capacity intercooler, an oil cooler, and a race-spec ECU to optimise fuel delivery, spark timing, and boost control. The result is a GR86 Rally Legacy that matches the GR Corolla’s stock output, delivering 300bhp and 370Nm of torque. However, Toyota hasn't shared any details about the transmission setup.