Jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, the 86 sports car was a response to the lack of relatively affordable coupés on the market. Those looking for a sporty performance package at a lower price only had hot hatches to choose from. Yes, the GTI and Focus ST were excellent choices back in 2012, but were front-wheel drive only.
If you wanted rear-wheel drive thrills, the only option was the pricey M135i. Still, that wouldn't do if you required a sporty look, with two-doors and a sleek body. BMW could offer you the stylish M235i, but it was also very expensive. Similarly, other rear-wheel driven coupés were also as expensive.
So what to do if you're a sports car enthusiast with a lower budget?
The 86 found fans all across the world. While not overly powerful, the Toyota was all about handling and driving pleasure. Never mind 0-100 km/h times, the 86 put a smile on the driver's face through the corners.
Despite it not being about straight line speed, many critics wished the original 147 kW motor had just a touch more power to exploit the perfectly balanced chassis. First seen in 2012, the original 86 has only recently been replaced - and we're excited.
Now available in Japan, the new model has also been jointly developed with Subaru. No longer just called the 86, the new model falls under the talented GR umbrella, Toyota's performance range which also developed the incredible GR Yaris.
While the new model shares the same base as the BRZ from Subaru, Toyota says is has focused on "delivering the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response as well as outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance."
The exterior has been given a thorough reworking, with a GR-specific "MATRIX" grille which, says Toyota, is functional. The look is more grown-up overall, with a Supra-esque front end and an elegant yet sporty look at the rear.
The interior now features a seven-inch touchscreen, which boasts a "Boxer meter".
The GR86 operating system ― which includes the horizontally-accented instrument panel and various switches―is optimally located to enable the driver to focus on driving. "The metre display embodies the GR86's sports performance, changing according to which driving mode is engaged," says Toyota. Three modes — normal, sports and track — are available.
Unique GR86 seats feature a lightweight construction that uses independent pads to support the body and "withstand the lateral and longitudinal g-forces generated during aggressive sports driving, they are covered in an extremely grippy material."
The 2.0-litre engine has been increased in size, to 2.4-litres. Power now sits at a healthy 173 kW, allowing the sports car to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. This is 1.1 seconds faster than the outgoing model, says Toyota.
GR has worked on body rigidity, with the performance arm aiming to offer pleasurable handline at all speeds. "Lateral bending has been improved by approximately 60% and torsional rigidity has been enhanced by approximately 50%, delivering nimble handling through high-speed corners and guaranteeing outstanding steering stability."
Toyota SA says local timing for launch and sales will be confirmed in 2022.
Looking to buy an 86? Click here.
FAQ
Q: What does the Toyota GR86 cost in South Africa?
Toyota South Africa hasn't announced local pricing for the GR86 yet, but expect it to start around R650,000 to R750,000 based on the previous 86's positioning and current market conditions.
Q: How much power does the new Toyota GR86 have?
The new GR86 produces 173 kW of power, which is a decent bump up from the original 86's 147 kW output, giving it the extra punch that enthusiasts were asking for.
Q: Is the Toyota GR86 worth buying over a hot hatch?
If you want proper rear-wheel drive thrills and don't mind sacrificing some practicality, the GR86 offers a pure sports car experience that no front-wheel drive hot hatch can match, especially through the corners.
Q: What's the difference between the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ?
While both cars share the same platform, Toyota has tuned the GR86 specifically for their GR performance philosophy, focusing on more intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness compared to the BRZ.
Q: When will the Toyota GR86 arrive in South Africa?
Toyota South Africa hasn't confirmed a local launch date yet, but given the original 86's popularity here, expect the GR86 to arrive sometime in 2024 or early 2025.
Should You Buy It?
The Toyota GR86 is definitely worth considering if you're after pure driving pleasure and can live with two doors. With 173 kW on tap and Toyota's GR magic working on the chassis, this should be the sports coupe the original 86 always promised to be. At an estimated R650,000 to R750,000, it's still one of the most affordable ways to get genuine rear-wheel drive sports car thrills in South Africa. The best affordable sports coupe under R800,000 in SA will likely be this GR86, especially if you value handling over straight-line speed. Just don't expect it to be practical for the weekly grocery run.
