Autoexpress Toyota 86 first drive review
 

Very positive...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...yota_gt86.html

http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/imag...o_481012_7.jpg


Rating: http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/rating_4.gif

The new Toyota GT 86 is here – and Auto Express has driven it. First revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show back in 2009, the rear-wheel-drive coupe has been tweaked and developed ever since, and now it's finally arrived. Does it inject some excitement back into the Toyota brand and give the company a cut-price Porsche Cayman rival?

Few cars are accorded such lavish unveilings. In fact, few cars are worthy of such exaltation. The Toyota GT 86 is one of those cars. In front of an estimated 20,000 screaming fans at Fuji Speedway, 60 miles south of Tokyo, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drove the sharp-looking GT 86 down the mile-long straightaway, passed a dozen high-profile Toyota and Lexus race cars parked on the grid, and pulled up in front of the world’s media before announcing the all-new model.

As he apologised for keeping the motoring public waiting for the car’s launch, he said, “All car lovers have been waiting for this kind of car.” Known for his hands-on developmental work and stints behind the wheel of the Lexus LFA in the Nurburgring 24 Hour race, Toyoda poured his heart out to the expectant crowd. “For the last 10 years, I have been a part of the development of this car, so I really feel like my baby is coming out.”

Gone is the concept car’s name FT-86, replaced by GT86. With design inspired by the Toyota 2000GT from the sixties and more recently, the early eighties rear-wheel drive drifting sensation Corolla Levin AE86, from which the GT86 takes its name, the new coupe was borne out of an intriguing joint development project between Toyota and Subaru.

The GT 86’s exterior styling and product planning was taken care of by Toyota, while Subaru supplied most of the parts – chassis, engine, transmission, brakes and suspension - that make the car so much fun to drive. Toyota offered their D4-S direct injection engine technology that makes Subaru’s revised 2.0 litre boxer engine cleaner and more fuel efficient. Generating 197bhp at 7,000rpm and 205Nm of torque at 6,600rpm, the GT86 gets around 30bhp more than the Mazda MX-5, its main Japanese rival.

The secret to the Toyota’s driver thrills lie in the world-first rear-wheel drive boxer engine layout, with a choice of Subaru Impreza-inspired six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes with steering wheel paddles. The GT 86 is a two-plus-two, but don’t expect to get anyone over 170cm in the back seat. Meanwhile the driver’s seat will swallow up drivers clearing 190cm with no problem. Front seats are supportive and comfortable, pedal positions are perfectly set, and visibility is good all round.

Taking off on our allotted three test laps of the short course at Fuji Speedway, we are delighted to hear and feel a strong Subaru flavour burbling its way through the cabin. Its naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivers lots of torque through the bottom to mid-range, but could use a bit more punch at the top end. The GT 86 feels light on the tarmac, and its ride is firm but not harsh. Turn-in is sharp and pinpoint and body roll minimal, given the engine’s low centre of gravity. Grip levels are higher than expected with a slight tendency to understeer.

Developed to be a reasonably priced sports coupe with serious ‘drifting’ and racing capabilities, we decide to switch off the VSC and traction control to see what happens. After dabbing the firm disc brakes to tuck the nose into a tight left-hander while holding 5,000rpm in 2nd, the initial hint of understeer is replaced by a welcome dose of oversteer that's easily controlled with opposite lock.

Toyota discussed at length its (and Subaru’s) decision to build a lightweight sports car that avoided AWD, turbos and high grip tyres. The end result is a stunning first step, that’s for sure. This car is a blast to drive and will without doubt inject some much-needed adrenalin to a lacklustre line-up. But we can’t help think that enthusiasts and tuners around the world will want more power – and very soon - leading to bolted on turbos. Why? Because the chassis can certainly take it.

The article says that the driver seat will hold someone of 190cm will fit nicely.

190 centimeters = 74.8031496 inches or 6 feet and 2.8 inches

Let's hope that this estimate is true for some of our taller members.

i'm another two inches over that.

Wait wait wait... how will this affect the visibility of the shorter members? lol

you short people have noting to worry about. relax. it's guys like me that have to worry. :bonk:

I think like every other sports car, it'll depend on where your height comes from - legs or torso. I'm only 6' but most of it's in my torso, so I'm scraping rooflines that some 6'2" guys have no problem with. Works the same with legroom, but that's usually easier to compensate for.

you are right on. my height is in my legs. a close friend is the same height but he's all in the torso.

if the seat goes back far enough and the steering wheel moves high enough things could work out for me. headroom shouldn't be an issue with the roof being so low and no sunroof overhead. we'll see...

I am starting to like this. I am 6'2, but I am mostly legs, so if the seat goes far back and low enough, the tilt/telescoping wheel may allow me to drive and not hit my knees constantly! :)

In the vids, i've seen drivers tilting the wheel, but I don't think it telescopes.
It's fine for me tho, i'm 5'8 (modelling height for girls- owww)

I had a Honda Crx 2 + 2 coupe in the early 90's. I'm 6ft and had 2 of my friends in the back, one of them 6ft 2 and the other 16 stone!! It was a bit cramped but we done 100 mile round trip. ha ha

Ah~ nothing to worry bout for me~ I'm 5'10"~11"! But I'm glad to see most of mags are giving good review of this car

You can call me Sub da 5'9''.

It sounds like this car will be everything I wanted in a RWD RSX with more torque in the low-mid range. I might never sell this car if that's the case.:happyanim:

OMG I just realized...the FR-S\86\BRZ is pretty unique...Front Engine Boxer, with Rear Wheel Drive.

All the Porsche Boxer engines are mid engine or rear engine, plus they are either AWD or RWD.

All the other Subaru boxer engined cars are AWD and some FWD in some markets.

That is it I am sold! I could care less if there is no turbo in this car. I want it NA. And I know in a few years, there will be a turbo version, because I know how Subaru thinks. (Almost the same engine is going into the next WRX but its turbo.)

I personally think we will have to wait for the next generation of the AS1 to see FI. But you never know.

For now, I will be happy for what we get. Hopefully the aftermarket will be able to unlock more power very easy.