Luckily, Toyota is there. A good student in terms of average CO2 emissions, thanks to its supremacy in hybrids and its advances in electrics, the manufacturer is one of the rare generalists capable of not only maintaining, but also growing a real segment of thermal sports cars. .
While these models are now doomed in the European market due to daunting sanctions, while Renault has just ended production of its RS brand with the latest Mégane, and while all the premium manufacturers are in the process of being forcibly electrified. Marching its most powerful models, Toyota gives a great blow in the sports field.
The heart of this offensive, obviously aimed primarily at the non-European market, is called GR, GR for Gazoo Racing. Like Mercedes with AMG, Toyota has brought together all of its modeling, engineering and motorsports research (including the prestigious endurance team that runs the 24 Hours of Le Mans) under the banner of its sports coach, now fully integrated into the group. Thus, in just a few years, he was able to develop a truly small, fully thermal sports range, which has earned a very solid reputation.
It started with the GT Supra, built in conjunction with BMW, followed by a small Yaris GR that took the world automotive press by storm, will soon result in the arrival of a high-performance model of the Corolla, spectacular… And also the placement of the GR label as a sporty finish on the most classic models in the range, particularly on certain SUVs.
The strong point: a lightweight sports car, a legendary engine
Only one ingredient was missing, a small mid-range sports-pleasure coupe, and cheap enough to collect the penalties. And Toyota quickly investigated the case of its GT86, launched 10 years ago. Despite the risk of seeing these kinds of models doomed in the European market, Toyota eventually decided to release an evolution, renamed the GR86 for the occasion, and import it into Europe. Very few changes as the original model was praised for its innate qualities: lightness, dynamism, perfect balance and careful design. At the time, we only regretted a somewhat limited power, with only 200 horsepower.
The GR86, therefore, corrects this deficiency. Now with 234 horsepower, the little sports coupe finally has a trunk that justifies its existence within the range. Under the hood, still an engine loved by the Toyota/Subaru galaxy: an naturally aspirated Boxer with a displacement of 2.4 liters.
Full of torsion and flexibility, it fits perfectly into the low architecture of the machine, its “flat” structure with a pair of antagonistic cylinders (like 2 boxers returning punch for punch in a loop, hence the name…) that allows place it in the lower part of the engine compartment, to maintain an optimal center of gravity, reduce vibrations and guarantee a perfect 50/50 weight balance. With a weight limited to just over 1.2 tonnes, that is, the GR86 is fast, very fast, with a 0-100 km/h time of just 6.5 seconds.
old school sportsmanship
Between the GT86 and the GR86, it’s also night and day in terms of behavior. The engine now revs much higher and much faster, with its characteristic sewing machine noise and grunt, reminiscent of the famous Subaru Impreza WRX, world rally champions with this engine…
But there, without a turbo, we even have the impression of being in direct contact with the machine, that’s how reactive the engine is, the agile steering, the precise running gear and… the high-performance gearbox. Yes, because the GR86 retains a good old mechanical gearbox, not as perfect as in Mazda or Honda, but nice handling and very responsive.
And since the machine is pure propulsion, being close to each mechanical organ, we are also submerged in a universe of tactile and sound sensations that make us feel each change in speed, each change of course, each braking or increase in speed. .. An authentic school car, very rich in sensations, reminiscent, in another genre, of the Mazda MX-5.
Only the adjustment of the suspensions seems a little flexible for this type of machine, tolerating a significant rocking. But for the rest, its architecture makes it a devourer of curves and small roads, and for enthusiasts, it is a born wanderer, with a rear axle that slips just enough and very healthy reactions. In addition, it is possible to partially or totally disconnect the ESP to take advantage of it.
back to simplicity
If the liveliness of the train may confuse those accustomed to SUVs and large sedans, it will amaze those nostalgic for the sensational automobile. Including the inside. Of course very bare, without fuss, with a very simple finish but enhanced with a few touches of alcantara and fairly narrow but very comfortable bucket seats. The digital instrumentation is also very simple, speed, tachometer, some gadgets like a stopwatch, mechanical curves and a “G” force meter to test the liveliness of the machine, but that’s about it.
Without setting up different driving modes, even the infotainment screen seems to take us back to the 2000s, since it’s rudimentary. And finally all the interest is there, refocusing the driver’s interest on the dynamic qualities of this coupe.
Also, we are well protected in the cabin, but we will probably feel a bit cramped in the long run. Especially in the virtual absence of somewhat practical storage, only a glove box and a small storage space behind the armrest will be able to accommodate a few items.
As for the rear seats… Not for that reason they are uncomfortable, even more enveloping and pleasant, but you still have to fit in there, not exceed 1.70 meters and have feet not too wide to be able to get them under the seats before. . But they have the merit of existing, just like a far from ridiculous trunk with a capacity of 280 liters. Not huge, but enough.
The black spot: ergonomic details and daunting penalty
A few slightly more embarrassing glitches can also bother, such as an inaccurate automatic turn signal switch, hideous front seatbelt mounts, and somewhat capricious mobile phone connectivity. The GR86 does not have an internal navigation system. So you’ll have to manage to connect your phone, otherwise… You’ll have to trust your instincts or a good road map.
But from design to behavior, we really felt the GR engineers wanted to create a Toyota sporty enough, tuned for maximum feel and simplicity, usable on a day-to-day basis. All this with a simpler design again, less crooked than that of the GT86. We will only regret the beautiful logo of the old model on the sides, taking up the design of the Boxer engine.
But at what price?
And from the point of view of prices, Toyota also hits hard, with an attack price of 33,900 euros. With these qualities, an engine finally up to par and such a balance between prices, the GR86 is something without equal in the current automotive offer. But he will still have to swallow a penalty of 16,500 euros that will undoubtedly make him a very rare bird.
Nissan, for example, has given up on importing its long-awaited new 400Z to Europe for these reasons. So Toyota is relentless, and even if the GR86 certainly doesn’t look like a bestseller, it has merit in existing and will satisfy lovers of simple, old-fashioned automotive pleasures. A very rare commodity.
Our test model: Toyota GR86 from 33,900 to 35,700 (automatic transmission)
Source: BFM TV
