This time we are featuring the new Toyota GR86 sports coupé, part of the Japanese brand’s GR performance range. It’s great that at least one mainstream car company is keeping faith with folk who love to drive. It’s an evolution of the previous GT86, the model which signalled Toyota’s renewed commitment to sports car engineering and it retains the classic configuration of the front-mounted engine and rear wheel drive of legend. Be warned: This great car has a build lifespan of just two years, adding a touch of exclusivity so early ordering to import from the UK or Japan is recommended.
On The Outside
The design concept for GR86 is, we learn, “functional beauty,” a marriage between functionality and a stylish look that expresses highly responsive performance and customer appeal. GR86’s exterior design is an evolution of the taut, low-slung look of GT86, highlighting its classic front engine/rear-wheel drive set-up, just as it should be.
The new, parabola-shaped LED headlights have an internal L-shaped arrangement like those on the mighty GR Supra, while the grille has a GR-exclusive “G” motif mesh pattern. The front bumper has a textured moulding that is functional as well as sporty, helping to reduce drag; it also features deep air ducts at each side, which aid manoeuvrability.
Short overhangs add to the agile look, together with a wide and low stance, while the front and rear wings and cabin are individually accentuated, generating the dynamic feel of a truly authentic sports car. Design details reference some of Toyota’s great sports cars of the past, such as the 2000GT and AE86 Corolla. It is certainly a fine looking vehicle and thanks to a special exhaust system it sounds good too; a crucial consideration, obviously.
Chassis development is focused on reducing weight and a further lowering of the car’s centre of gravity to secure even sharper handling and responsiveness. There is wider use of aluminium and other light-but-strong materials and strategic strengthening of the car’s frame to achieve greater rigidity all-round. The GR86 uses 18inch matt black alloy wheels, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber. The rims’ slim, blade-like spokes are inspired by a Japanese sword motif. The tyre pressure warning system gives individual pressure readings for each tyre in the multi-information display and can be calibrated for two different sets of tyres.
On The Inside
Inside the GR86 the design goal, say Toyota, was to deliver the best possible layout for usability and operation of the car’s systems. The strong horizontally configured instrument panel gives the driver a wide field of vision and helps them focus on the business of driving. Laid out around the driver, function controls are designed and located for intuitive recognition and operation, including an air conditioning panel in the centre console with large LED illuminated dials and piano key switches, and door armrests with integrated release handles and long pull handles.
The functionality of the centre armrest has been improved with cup/small bottle holders, two USB ports and an AUX socket. An eight-inch multimedia display is angled for easy viewing from the driver’s seat. The new-shape front sports seats feature supportive pads that are independent of each other, ensuring a slim design and good body-holding. A walk-in release lever on the front seat shoulder makes for easy access to the rear.
The left side of the display presents the multi-information data, audio and tyre pressure information and the driver assistance function settings. The seat upholstery is a combination of ‘Ultrasuede’, which gives good body-holding performance, and genuine leather. Handy touches include new air vents, a 25% increase in the size of the glove box and the addition of a bottle holder in the door panel.
Overhead front map lamps and courtesy lamps on the lower edge of the doors have also been installed. The two rear seats can be folded down using release catches in the cabin, or a release strap in the boot. When folded, there is load space big enough to take four wheels – ideal for those driving the GR86 to and from track days if you dare. The luggage compartment door has been engineered to open to a higher point and close with ease and at a constant speed, so items can be loaded or unloaded more easily.
The multimedia system has increased computing power, giving a faster response to inputs. Standard features include DAB reception, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. AS mentioned above, USB ports and an AUX socket are also provided for device connection and recharging. Equipped with a new Data Communications Module, GR86 has an eCall function in the event of an accident or emergency (regionally dependent).
The centre screen can display a real-time view from the car’s reversing camera, with steering guidelines. The driver’s instrument binnacle features a multi-information display to the left of the single-dial tachometer with central speed read-out. The display contents can be selected, reset and scrolled using switches on the steering wheel. In Sport mode, the display gains red highlights.
On The Road
The engine remains a high-revving, four-cylinder “boxer” unit, but with displacement to 2.4 litres to gain a significant increase in power and torque. It’s a naturally aspirated engine which gives smooth acceleration feel (without any dreaded turbo-lag) from the bottom to the top of the rev band. Six-speed manual or a revised automatic transmission provide smoother, more powerful acceleration across the full rev spectrum.
As mentioned, there’s a choice of a six-speed manual or an automatic transmissions available for the Toyota GR86 both revised in line with the engine’s increased power and torque and to play their part in the car’s essential fun-to-drive quality. The close-ratio manual transmission is designed to handle the car’s higher output and make controlling the vehicle more enjoyable. Clutch capacity and gear strength have been increased and clutch operation has been calibrated to handle the increase in engine torque.
To fully exploit the car’s performance potential, the driver can switch to Track mode, or switch off the Vehicle Stability Control altogether (not recommended on public highways). The electronically controlled, intelligent automatic transmission features paddle controls for the driver to take manual control of gear shifts. Its performance can be adapted in four different drive modes: Normal, Sport, Snow and Track. In Sport mode, the transmission automatically selects the optimum gear in line with the driver’s use of the brake and throttle and the vehicle’s dynamic behaviour.
If this car is anything like the previous GT86 then drivers are in for a treat. Make your weekends away a little more special by getting in touch with us here at MHH about this great sports car.