Test drive: Toyota GR 86 is a sports car survivor

The Toyota GR 86 is an unlikely survivor of a dying race and good for it.

This is the latest version of a model first launched in 2013 as the Scion FR-S and became the Toyota 86 in 2017 when the Scion brand was discontinued.

It was never a big seller, but persevered in part because Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda is a performance car fanatic who understands the value of having cars like this and the rebooted GR Supra. in the range.

Aside from the Subaru BRZ it shares its chassis with and the Mazda MX-5 Miata, there really aren’t any real affordable sports cars like it anymore.

The GR is a reference to Toyota’s motorsport arm, Gazoo Racing, which has just achieved its fourth consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victory, and is a clear signal that the car has moved up a notch.

Like the BRZ, the GR 86 is not close to a brand new vehicle, but has received significant changes that go beyond its slight exterior redesign.

The body structure has been reinforced with additional cross members and supports to add rigidity and the suspension has been readjusted to improve ride quality and handling, with an emphasis on the latter.

Equally important is the change from a 2.0-liter to 2.4-liter flat-four engine, which increases horsepower from 205 hp to 228 hp and torque from 155 lb-ft to 184 lb-ft. The numbers may not sound much bigger, but represent big percentage jumps in a car that weighs just over 2,800 pounds.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Inside there is a brand new dashboard with a digital display and an updated infotainment system with the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphones.

Cars equipped with an automatic transmission benefit from a suite of electronic driver safety aids that include automatic emergency brakes, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

Toyota says the GR 86 will have a starting price of less than $ 30,000 when it goes on sale in November and will be offered in both Base and Premium trims.

High-end cars are recognizable by their duckbill spoiler, Alcantara and leather upholstery, high-end audio system and oversized 17-inch to 18-inch wheels wrapped in high Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. performance.

Since there really isn’t a competitive set to pit the GR 86 against, Toyota has brought a 2021 86 to the Monticello Motor Club track to use as a benchmark for comparison.

The outgoing model is an extremely fun car, but the GR 86 fills in the gaps with significantly more kick and a wider power range. Its 6.1-second 0-60mph acceleration time with the shifter is about a second faster than the old car, but it’s more responsive at any speed.

The harshness of the ride is drastically reduced and the handling is sharper than before, which is a nice combination if you can pull it off. The base cars offer a sort of gliding pleasure on their Michelin Primacy tires, but lose too much grip after a few laps on a long, fast track like Monticello’s, while the Premium holds its line like a slot car all the way through. daytime.

You can still kick the rear out with a heavy foot on the accelerator, but the quick steering makes it easy to control. If you leave the traction management system on, it kicks in to save the day before you run into trouble. The position of the pedals makes it easy to move the heel and toe in manual transmission cars, and the automatic is smart enough not to be a brake.

Of course, even the extra horsepower still won’t be enough for some and the GR 86 is sure to prove to be a popular car for the tuning crowd, who have built 86s with 1,000hp and up.

As for a day’s survival on the track, 228hp is fine for me.

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2022 Toyota GR 86

Base Price: $ 30,000 est.

Type: 2-door, 4-passenger, rear-wheel drive coupe

Engine: 2.4-liter flat-four

Horsepower: 228 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic

MPG (Male / Auto): 19/20 city, 21/24 highway