A new report from one of Japan's premiere motoring magazines claims that Toyota is apparently cutting its ties with Subaru and amid this whole mix-up, the Aichi-based auto giant will apparently give the GR86 sports coupe what its fans have been wanting for over a decade: a turbocharged motor. According to Japan's BestCar Magazine by way of Forbes Japan's reputable correspondent, Peter Lyons, the Japanese print publication cited internal sources familiar with the matter, however, it's been noted it's all still speculative.

Both these news bits about Toyota and Subaru separating and the GR86 potentially getting a turbocharged motor for the next-generation are considerably big developments. That's because Toyota and Subaru have been collaborating on numerous fronts for over a decade. Additionally, the news about the GR86 getting a turbo motor has been something that 86 fans and sports car enthusiasts have been clamoring for since the 86 came to be. However, there weren't any indications whether Toyota and Subaru's potential separation and the GR86's potentially new turbocharged power plant are mutually exclusive or not.

Toyota And Subaru Separating Would End A 12-Year Joint Venture

It was back in 2012 when both Toyota and Subaru entered a partnership in order to research, develop, build, and sell cars, as a way to reduce production and engineering costs, share knowledge to improve automotive technology and build better cars. Since then, that partnership has given us some notable icons such as the original Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ subcompact sports coupes.

Depending on where you lived, the Toyota sold as the 86 in Japan, the GT86 in Europe, and the FT86 in very select markets in Latin America, despite being the same exact car. Here in North America, we initially received the 86 as the Scion FR-S, before the Scion brand went defunct in August 2016 and Toyota simply sold the 86 as the 86 beginning in 2017.

Although argued as the same car, the 86 and BRZ were co-developed and co-engineered by both Toyota and Subaru, which was made obvious by the fact that both cars utilized a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter BOXER four-cylinder taken straight from Subaru's powertrain division.

The BRZ was essentially Subaru's version, but was different in a variety of ways than both the Toyota and the Scion versions. The levels of differences, despite being the same car, still amount today with the second-generation GR86 and Subaru BRZ, both of which drive and handle noticeably differently from each other.

Though the BRZ and 86 duo aren't the only collaborations. The Solterra electric crossover is also a joint project, as well as the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

But Toyota And Subaru, Plus Mazda Just Agreed To Develop Engines..

Yes, that is correct. Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda, all just agreed and officially announced in March to be working together on future engines, hybrid, and all-electric powertrains for future vehicles. So it seems a little strange that Subaru would want to cut ties after this agreement.

Could have it gone sour? Did Subaru have a sudden change of heart and want to go another correction? No firm answer is known, but again, this is all purely speculation. Maybe the two will reduce their collaborative efforts developing and building cars like the BRZ and 86 and will instead go in their own direction, such as giving the 86 a turbocharged engine.

Either way, this is all purely speculative and the level and degree at which the two companies would reduce involvement with each other or simply calling quits is unknown.

About That Turbo Addition To The 86...

In Lyons' same report, Toyota will apparently be ditching Subaru's naturally-aspirated flat-four for the GR Corolla's and GR Yaris' turbocharged 300-horsepower 1.6-liter hybridized three-cylinder at some point in the future. This would be the most significant change to the GR86 yet and would probably be slated for the third-generation model, if true.

Not only would it be the 86's first-ever turbocharged motor, it would have been what fans and sports car enthusiasts have been clamoring for since the BRZ/86 duo launched. Many criticized it for having too little power and not having the option to upgrade to a more powerful turbocharged motor. But now, they may all get what they wish for.