Test drive Toyota GT86 2017, unchanged spirit

This week in Highmotor’s road test section we have with us a very special guest who, fortunately, stands out from the crowd.

We’re talking about the Toyota GT86, a sports coupé that has received a slight update in recent months, enhancing its appeal.

The GT86’s history is already long and well known. Built in collaboration with Subaru -which has its own model, the BRZ- and developed with driving pleasure as its greatest quality, the GT86 went on sale in 2012, and it has in fact passed through our hands last year.

It has now been lightly updated, mainly in terms of styling, more than enough reason to reacquaint ourselves with one of those cars that always leaves you wanting more but, at the same time, with a great lasting impression.

Exterior design

The GT86’s exterior design follows the proportions of a classic sports coupé, with an aggressive front end, a large nose, a relatively set-back cabin, very low height and a compact, muscular rear, which gives the whole the sportiness it is aiming for.

The GT86 applies these principles perfectly, resulting in a classic-styled vehicle that stands out in the market, where we currently find no alternative with a similar approach. This feature alone already sets it apart from the rest of the traffic, something that has been amplified with the arrival of the update.

The styling changes have really suited the GT86
The front of the 2017 GT86 stands out thanks to a redesigned bumper with a very generous air intake, which together with the two ribbed mouldings at the ends -which house the fog lights- emphasise the width of the whole. The light units now feature full LED lighting.

The front wings once again play a key role in the design of the car, as their curved and pronounced lines simulate generous musculature, accentuating the wheel arches, which in this update gain a better look thanks to 17″ multi-spoke alloy wheels with a more attractive design. A small moulding on the upper part, which previously carried the model logo, now simulates an air outlet.

The glass area, which ends at the rear in a triangular point, is a clear nod to the GT2000 of the 1970s, giving rise to a truly muscular and robust rear end, with wheel arches flared to just the right degree and a bumper integrating a black diffuser with two generous circular exhaust outlets -86 mm in diameter- and reversing and fog lights.

Other changes found in the update are the rear light units, which modify their internal design and adopt LED technology for the lighting, braking and indicator functions, or the spoiler on the boot lid, which is now more compact, made of metal and finished in black.

Interior design

The GT86’s interior has never been known for its elaborate design or its high quality levels. Frankly, the vehicle’s concept does not aim for that either, although the latest update has helped it move up a notch in this respect thanks to the improved appearance of some parts.

The interior lines remain the same as those of the pre-restyling version. We therefore find a 2+2 seat cabin, with a well-finished dashboard and a sporty “Japanese-style” design, with materials of different textures and patterns, all combined in a very youthful atmosphere.

The changes in the update have helped the GT86 improve its competitiveness in some ergonomic and technological aspects, thanks to the introduction of a new, smaller steering wheel, with small buttons on the spokes used to interact with the on-board computer or the audio/phone system.

The instrument cluster also houses a new colour display, located on the right, which expands the computer’s functions exponentially, now offering numerous telemetry data including a G-force meter, a stopwatch or a power meter shown in graphs.

The multimedia system is also newly designed, integrating more and better functions. However, it still offers a somewhat heavy and slow operation, which detracts from the final result in a vehicle designed mostly for young people. Using the climate control and the rest of the buttons poses no problem. As a curiosity, it is worth noting that, to this day, the GT86 does not feature comfort indicator operation, a detail that practically all drivers have already grown accustomed to.

The interior is designed to be spacious and comfortable in the front seats, with seats that, moreover, hold you well in sporty driving. The rear seats are much smaller, but useful in emergency situations. Its boot, of regular shape, has a capacity of 254 litres, expandable by folding down the rear seat backs.

Driving dynamics

The 2017 GT86 retains the same powertrain as the previous edition, namely a 2.0 four-cylinder boxer engine with naturally aspirated, mixed direct/indirect D4-S injection, capable of producing 200 CV at 7000 rpm and 205 Nm at 6400 rpm. There are therefore no mechanical changes.

It is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which sends power to the rear axle, delivering a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 226 km/h. Yes, we know, it is not, on paper, as quick as “it could be” with those figures. Exactly, on paper.

The Japanese car is one of the most enjoyable vehicles to drive on the market, by a long way
The GT86 never seeks maximum performance. Its approach is based on driving pleasure, on dynamic performance without the need for top speed, something in which, incidentally, it more than delivers. If straight-line performance is a very important factor for us, this Toyota is not the most suitable choice.

The GT86’s chassis is completed with independent suspension on all four wheels, with MacPherson struts at the front and a deformable parallelogram at the rear, and a braking system with ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear, with floating double-piston calipers at the front and a single piston at the rear.

Taking advantage of the update, the GT86 benefits from slight suspension adjustments, which is now more absorbent and also features a thicker rear anti-roll bar. The end result is that the GT86 is more stable without losing the agility that has always characterised it.

This Japanese car is one of the most enjoyable to drive, as it combines in a single model most of the qualities that driving enthusiasts appreciate. With a sufficiently good level of performance, the GT86 offers excellent gearshift feel, an exceptional and natural engine sound, and agile, sporty handling.

The 2017 model also introduces a new ESP stability programme called Track, which allows a certain amount of slip before it intervenes, all while maintaining safety margins. Braking is very consistent, allowing extremely precise modulation.

To top it all, the GT86 stands out for relatively modest fuel consumption, with mixed-use averages that can hover around 8 litres. On the open road it is possible to drop to 7 litres, while in town it rises to 10. It does, however, require 98-octane petrol, although Toyota permits the use of 95 octane without harm to the engine.

Range and versions: how much does the unit you’re looking at cost?

The GT86 range consists of a single trim level and two gearboxes. The starting price is €32,990, corresponding to the Sport version with manual gearbox. If we prefer the automatic gearbox, the price rises by €2,000 to €34,990.

Standard equipment is very comprehensive, including, for example, keyless entry and start system, LED headlights, multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, electrically folding mirrors, light sensor or Torsen limited-slip rear differential.
Our test unit also features Rojo Kyuzo solid paint (€250) and the Touch2 with GO navigation system (€600). In total, the unit you see in the photographs has a final price of €33,840.