Unless you’ve been in a self-induced chocolate coma following the Easter weekend, you’ve probably heard the news there’s another Gazoo Racing Toyota on the way, in the form of the Toyota GR 86. To say we’re excited is an understatement. 

While we’ve a few months to wait to have a go in the real world, Gazoo has announced that we’ll be able to get our mitts on the new model – virtually, at least – from this summer onwards in virtual racing game Gran Turismo Sport.

The news comes as part of an announcement introducing the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup, which will offer competitors from across the world the chance to get behind the wheel of the GR 86 alongside its GR siblings, the Supra and Yaris. Spanning seven qualifying sessions and one final round, the series will rotate between models at each event.

While we don’t know an exact date the GR 86 will arrive in the game, we do know qualifying for the new season is set to start on 25 April, with the GR 86 due to make its competitive debut on August 22 at Mount Panorama, Australia. Best get practicing, people.

Regular Gram Turismo players will already know that both the born-again Supra and rally-special Yaris made their debuts in the game before they did so on actual tarmac, and the GR 86 now looks set to follow suit. Talk about whetting the appetite, Toyota.

You can read the full debrief of the new Toyota GR 86 here

STORY Peter Rawlins