Live or Die: What's the Real Deal With the Toyobaru Twins?

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

January was peppered with claims that the Subaru BRZ And Toyota 86 aren’t long for this world. Rumors, which began spreading last year, stated the models weren’t selling well enough for either brand to rationalize continued sales, and those rumblings came to a head during the North American International Auto Show. There, seemingly every outlet asked engineers and executives what’s to become of them.

This week, outlets began reporting that Japanese automotive tabloid Best Car is preparing an article for its upcoming February issue explaining that Subaru and Toyota have “deviated on their development policies” and plan to break their collaboration on the Toyobaru twins.

It makes sense. Both models, each in production since 2012 (and largely unchanged since), have underperformed in terms of sales, especially lately. But things aren’t as simple as they might seem. Subaru has already said that Toyota pulling out wouldn’t mean an “immediate death sentence” for the BRZ. Toyota clarified a few things since then, too.

Hoping to debunk rumors of the 86 coupe’s demise, CarScoops reached out to Toyota’s U.S. spokesperson, Nancy Hubbell. “As [Toyota CEO] Akio Toyoda said at the reveal of the 2020 Supra, Toyota is committed to building exciting vehicles, including sports cars,” she explained. “The 86 has been in the Toyota family since 2013 and the plan is that it will continue to be a part of Toyota’s sports car line-up.”

It’s a very similar answer to what we’ve heard from Subaru — reassuring, without being terribly committal. But we’re inclined to believe both Toyobaru models will exist for at least another year.

Still, that doesn’t disprove the claim from Japanese Nostalgia Car, drawn from insider knowledge, that the February issue of Best Car will cite reliable sources who will ultimately verify the future cancellation of both sports cars.

There’s also growing speculation that the smaller engine offerings in the Japanese-spec Supra make the existence of the 86 problematic in Asia. Meanwhile, Automotive News reports that the older coupe had a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving into a second generation — despite claims that both automakers were working on developing a successor just last spring. Add in some confirmation from Toyota that it is considering bringing back the MR2, possibly as the 86’s replacement, and sketchy rumors that Subaru may have a mid-engined secret in the works, and you can see where all of this could be going.

Akio Toyoda has previously referred to the Supra, Celica, and MR2 as the “Three Brothers,” noting that he’d like to see them all return if a proper business case can be made. That’s a lot harder for Toyota to do with the 86 in its lineup. However, were the model to be replaced by something similarly lightweight and fun (cough, MR2), maybe Akio’s business acumen will be satisfied.

[Images: Toyota; Subaru]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • HelloWorld HelloWorld on Feb 01, 2019

    Toyota and Subaru had the right idea in 2012, but they ****** up the design of these things. They look like toys. Next time they go and try to come up with an exciting affordable sports car design, they oughtta ask Mazda's designers or hire some Italian design company.

    • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Feb 01, 2019

      I think they look great. The sad reality is the form factor of these just doesn't lend itself to big sales. These cars demand commitment that just isn't feasible for many or necessary for driving enjoyment.

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Feb 01, 2019

    Really no "meaningful" update since 2012 (I didn't say no updates, I said meaningful updates - don't get hurt fanbois), and launch delayed as it was. It's a nice platform but including development and launch delays it's pushing a decade old. Toyota already declared it a flop...globally...including in mother Japan. Most automakers would have taken it out back and shot it by now. No way on earth Toyota/Subaru recovered their development costs.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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