But senior Subaru exec confirms next-generation compact coupe clones will stick to rear-drive

The second-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ coupe twins will remain rear-wheel drive but could trade in their aging, heavily modified Impreza platform for new Toyota underpinnings, it has been revealed.

What they won’t do, says a Subaru insider, is adopt the car-maker’s all-new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) and incorporate the brand’s all-wheel drive system.

The reason the Subaru’s latest chassis architecture has been ruled out is because, according to the insider, the SGP underpinnings would not support the rear-wheel drive layout.

“It’s a very flexible platform, but we make all-wheel drive vehicles. That’s our forte, all-wheel drive,” said the source.

Confirming all-wheel drive has not once been considered for the small affordable coupe, the senior source suggested that both the BRZ and 86 would either to stick to its current platform or migrate to Toyota’s TNGA platform, which underpins the latest Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and recently revealed Kluger.

Developed and engineered for front-, rear- and all-wheel drive applications, the TNGA architecture could bring significant weight-savings over the current platform, as well as an increase in torsional rigidity.

The current Subaru and Toyota twins, launched back in 2011, were co-developed side-by-side using a Subaru platform and flat-four boxer engine.

A recent report involving an exec working for Toyota UK suggested it was a “safe assumption” the new 86 and BRZ would stick to this arrangement.

The insider would not comment on when the next-gen Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ would land, but added that work on both cars’ replacement was “well under way”.

It’s thought both models will benefit from plenty of input from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, which is also developing the first Toyota Corolla GR hot hatch.

Toyota is believed to have already previewed its new 86 via the 2017 GR HV Sports Concept (pictured).