Toyota will premiere the 2027 GR86 at Bay Area FuelFest on May 30, offering attendees an early look at updated exterior and interior treatments before the full specification rollout later this year. The event will also feature actor and director Sung Kang, who is bringing the Toyota AE86 from his upcoming film “DRIFTER” for fans to see up close.
The timing connects two threads of Toyota’s performance story. The original AE86, which Kang’s film centers on, helped establish drifting culture in the 1980s with lightweight dynamics and an approachable chassis that made the car a favorite among grassroots racers. The GR86, which arrives in showrooms as a 2027 model with revisions Toyota has not yet detailed, represents the modern evolution of that same rear-drive sports car philosophy under the GAZOO Racing banner.
Kang’s connection to Toyota predates his Hollywood career. He drove a Toyota Tercel through college after it had served as his family’s car, and he recalls “lots of memories in Camrys” from growing up. The AE86 that appears in “DRIFTER,” nicknamed “Lola,” is a heavily modified 1982 Corolla GT-S that was overseen by stunt driver Dai Yoshihara and displayed at SEMA. The car transforms throughout the film, which Kang wrote, directed, produced, and stars in.
“It never feels forced,” Kang said of his relationship with Toyota. “It feels organic and meant to be.”
The film follows a character named Tree who discovers drifting while working at a local race circuit and finds community within the car culture. Kang, who grew up in Georgia surrounded by American muscle cars, came to Japanese performance vehicles later. What drew him in was not just the machinery but the people. “When you go to a drift event, it always felt like a family picnic,” he said. “It’s about the passion behind motorsport and community.”
That community aspect is what brought Kang to grassroots car culture in the first place. He has spent time restoring classic cars and working with high-school shop students to teach them how to strip down and rebuild vehicles. The welcoming nature of JDM events, even for attendees who did not own cars themselves, left an impression. “The people that are the pioneers of the community know what it feels like being on the outside,” Kang said. “But I always felt welcome at JDM and drift events. Even if I didn’t have a car, people were willing to educate or teach.”
Toyota’s presence at FuelFest reflects a strategy of meeting enthusiasts where they gather rather than waiting for them to walk into dealerships. “With our performance lineup of GR products being niche, we’re meeting enthusiasts where they are, through motorsports and grassroots events,” said Dedra DeLilli, vice president of Toyota Marketing at Toyota Motor North America. “Our obsession with ever-better vehicles led us to partner with enthusiasts who share that same passion. Sung was one of those enthusiasts at the top of the list.”
The 2027 GR86 will be on display alongside Lola, though Toyota has not released specifics on what the updates entail beyond confirming changes to both exterior and interior treatments. The current GR86, which shares its platform with the Subaru BRZ, competes in the affordable rear-drive sports car segment that has narrowed considerably over the past decade. The model’s continuation into the 2027 model year, with revisions significant enough to warrant a preview event, suggests Toyota remains committed to the segment even as crossovers dominate showroom traffic.
FuelFest Bay Area takes over the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton with more than 700 custom, exotic, rare, and exclusive car builds on display. The event includes live drifting demonstrations with fan thrill rides, a concert, and themed car show zones. Kang will participate in live Q&As about “DRIFTER” throughout the day.
When asked which Toyota he would choose if he could drive only one forever, Kang did not name a sports car or a drift build. He chose the Toyota Sienna. “It’s like chicken soup for the car soul,” he said. “It calms me down when I get in it.”
The 2027 GR86 details will follow. For now, FuelFest attendees get the first look.
2027 Toyota GR86 Photo Gallery
Source: Toyota. Images courtesy of Toyota.
