Toyota’ much improved coupe a pleasure to pedal
The previous GT86 was a fine car. Globally applauded as an enthusiast’s tool, it’s no frills approach delivered maximum enjoyment. In other words, Toyota did not need to reinvent the wheel on the new one.
For the rest however, the old GT86 was, let’s just say underwhelming. Sure it was playful to drive and displayed near perfect balance. But its weedy 2-litre Subaru boxer lump wasn’t quite up to the challenge and it lacked versatility. Goodie space was insufficient and those door side armrests continued the weedy trend. We wanted more.
Toyota palmed 86 off on GR
Now you wouldn’t expect Toyota to just gloss all that over with the next one, would you? No, nor would we. As we’d expect then, Toyota palmed the 86 on the GR and said fix. And fix it they did in splendid Gazoo Racing style. So we were pretty keyed up when this splendid silver sample showed up on our driveway. We were in for a very good week.
Poring over it, it’s clear that not much happened to the chassis. If it ain’t broke… you know what they say? Don’t fix it. They did beef it up a bit around the front and rear shock mounting points. For the rest, the GR86 chassis is largely the same as its predecessor. But there’s considerable change elsewhere.
New GR86 looks completely different
The new car, while displaying the same basic proportions to the GT, looks completely different. The old one seemed a bit lost in its styling. This voluptuous little critter even felt quite at home as we joined a Ferrari day. Drew some admiring glances. And more than one question from those owners, too.
Comfortable and surprisingly easy to access beyond the need to stoop so far down, the refreshed cabin is also crisper, sportier, and surprisingly more sophisticated. Snug sports seats bring further welcome improvement. The new one also brings better goodie space. Well, on paper at least. Alas, in real life it stills fall short. We struggled to find place for the menial paraphernalia we all carry in 2023.
27 kW 45 Nm stronger GR86 2.4-litre boxer
GR86 also benefits several other major advances. Starting under the bonnet (where else?) the new GR car keeps its Subaru engine. It’s bigger now. Stronger too. The 2.4-litre boxer gains a handy 27 kW and 45 Nm. It delivers too. Our VBox coughed up an impressive 5.9 second 0-100 run to keep it abreast with better hot hatches from the lights in our tests.
But it was inconsistent. As if it said enough when we’d done our first run. We normally improve on our second and third runs, but this one was different. Our 86 purged three tenths and refused to give them back!
GR86 cries for raspier exhaust, induction growl
Those power gains are also only more apparent when hammering the GR86. Despite an improved power curve, most of the grunt still sits high in the rev range. So its tardy in everyday driving, overtaking, or when merging lanes.
On another note, and excuse the pun, the piped-in engine noise is a bit of an anti-climax. Why bother, even if the fake din may seem quite sweet to some? A little more induction growl and a subtly raspier exhaust will make a far nicer, far more realistic noise. Road din also makes it difficult to chat with your passenger.
Splendid, dynamic, and dramatic
We’d have said passengers. There are ‘seats’ in the rear. But they must be for decoration. It’d be rude to expect anyone to try sit in there. Why not just fit a half cage in the back and be done with? Cutting hairs we guess, but this little coupe certainly benefits sprightly performance.
The GR86 is splendid, dynamic, and dramatic on a challenging road. It takes just a few corners to feel right at home behind the wheel. The car handles beautifully, the additional power is more than welcome. More playful than ever, GR86’s 53 to 47 front to rear weight distribution and low centre of gravity make it perfectly balanced.
A definite improvement where it matters most
Turn into tighter turns and it confidently punches at the apex. Then it delivers predictable, smoky, and impressive power slides out. The GR86 stays planted up to almost maximum suspension load, from where it tends to lean over itself. Keep it this side of the limit and its fine. And a comfy ride more than makes up for that small sacrifice in ultimate dynamics.
So, the Toyota GR86 still isn’t perfect. Even if its minor shortcomings are easy to solve via the aftermarket. All said, this car is a definite improvement where it matters most over its already wonderful predecessor.
Playful and rewarding in spirited winding road or on track driving, it’s hard to beat. At anywhere near the price. Good on you, Gazoo Racing. – Giordano & Michele Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota GR86 manual Engine: 174 kW 250 Nm 2.4-litre petrol H4 Drive: 6-speed Manual RWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 2.68 sec 0-100 km/h: 5.98 sec 0-120 km/h: 8.08 sec 0-160 km/h: 13.46 sec 400m: 14.0 sec @ 165 km/h 80-120 km/h: 3.87 sec 120-160 km/h: 5.50 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 226 km/h Fuel: 9.5 l/100 km CO2: 217 g/km Range: 520 km Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/4s 60K km LIST PRICE: R733K RATED: 9
