Toyota GT86 Sports Coupe road test
EXPERIMENTING with cars and testing out the claims of their manufacturers is one of the joys of being a motoring writer.
Take Toyota’s dynamic new offering, the GT86 coupe – described by the Japanese brand as the world’s most compact four-seater sports model.
Four plus four cars are traditionally designed for two people with the scope to squeeze a couple of kids in the back.
But how about four adults, with two lads of 6ft 5ins and 6ft 3ins sitting behind each other? Is it even possible?
The answer is yes, if you want to re-live a theme park white-knuckle ride. While the one in the rear feels like he’s travelling in the back truck of a roller coaster, the one in front – with seat slid fully forward to allow some rear legroom – is face up close to the windscreen.
The resulting journey is one you don’t forget in a hurry, even if it proves the point. The GT86 is indeed compact.
Halve the number of occupants and you can properly enjoy a car of outstanding ability, because that’s what this sports car/coupe really is.
For the money, the performance, soundtrack and fabulous handling offer a return that many considerably higher priced offerings can’t exceed.
But then with its front-engine and rear-wheel drive set-up, the GT 86 has been conceived as an entirely driver-focused vehicle, designed to deliver a classic sports car experience.
It is built on a new platform and Toyota has added its D-4S injection technology to Subaru’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine which generates 197bhp.
With its scorpion-like styling, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, twin exhausts and 86 logo this car really does look the part.
Inside, the cockpit has carbon-effect trim, an all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation-style rocker switches and lightweight aluminium pedals.
And the steering wheel is the smallest ever fitted to a Toyota and is trimmed in buckskin, developed from test driver feedback on how to achieve the best steering performance and grip.
Other features include bi-xenon high intensity discharge headlights, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps and electric folding door mirrors with housings matched to the car’s body colour.
There’s also a switchable stability control system, which can be adjusted through different modes to suit driver preference, and a torque-sensing limited slip differential.
The result is a car that truly embraces the passion of driving – and does at a price which doesn’t stray into the realms of exotica.
SPEC CHECK
MAKE: Toyota.
MODEL: GT86 2.0L.
ENGINE: 1,998cc, 4-cyl petrol.
POWER: 197bhp at 7,000rpm.
PERFORMANCE: 0-62 in 7.7 secs, top speed 140mph.
ECONOMY: 27.2mpg Urban, 44.1 Extra Urban, 36.2 Combined.
CO2 EMISSIONS: 181g/km.
BiK RATING: 27%.
INSURANCE: Group 29 (1-50).
PRICE: £24,995 on the road.
WHAT’S HOT: Classic sports car experience.
WHAT’S NOT: Firm ride.
RATINGS (out of five):
LOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
RIDE AND HANDLING . . . . .4
PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . 4
VALUE FOR MONEY . . . . . .5
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