Toyota GT86 (2012 – 2021) Review

January 2012

GT86 launched in UK revealed

The GT86 measures 4,240mm long, 1,285mm high and 1,775mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2,570mm, dimensions which make it the most compact four-seater sports car available today. The 2.0-litre flat four develops 200PS at 7000rpm with torque of 205Nm to 6600rpm.

Both the powertrain and the driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to achieve the best balance: the car has a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution. The flat-four engine format and the driver’s hip point – the lowest of any current Toyota production model – together give the GT 86 an ultra-low centre of gravity, at just 460mm.

The GT86 makes the most of a light kerb weight, making it easy for drivers to exploit its nimble handling and cornering poise. The suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. The car rides on 17-inch wheels and is fitted with ventilated disc.

Toyota has added its D-4S injection technology to Subaru’s new, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated 1,998cc four-cylinder boxer engine. This system features separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection, and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, increasing power and torque across a wide range of engine speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance.

The flat-four engine has equal bore and stroke of 86.0mm and drives through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts using a tactile, short-throw lever; the automatic transmission can be controlled using paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.

Power is distributed to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential to give the best possible grip in all driving conditions. The ABS and switchable vehicle stability control systems have been tuned specifically to deliver dynamic stability at the limit of the car’s performance envelope with minimal electronic intervention to help preserve the purity of the driving experience.

January 0001

30-02-12: GT86 goes on sale

The range starts at £24,995 for the manual version, with the automatic at £26,495. There is just one equipment grade. Orders are being taken now, with deliveries from 1 July.

The styling and specification reflect its driver-focused character: exterior features include a rear spoiler, 17-inch light alloy wheels, chrome-finished dual exhaust tailpipes and a signature “T”-mesh grille. That T motif is repeated in the shape of the rear foglight, set centrally between the tailpipes. A limited slip differential also fitted as standard, reaffirming GT86’s essential “driver’s car” character.

Other features include bi-xenon high intensity discharge headlights, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps and electric folding door mirrors with housings matched to the car’s body colour. Seven exterior colours are available: Dark Red, Silver metallic, Black metallic, Blue metallic, Dark Red metallic, Orange metallic and Pearl pearlescent.

Optional side, roof and bonnet decals are available in black or silver to add an extra dimension to GT86’s sporting appearance.

March 2012

GT86 TRD version unveiled

Toyota Racing Development version of GT86, just 250 examples available, equipped with TRD design and performance features. The GT86 TRD, on sale from March 1 2013, available, in a choice of two colours: Pearl White and GT86 Black. On-the-road prices: £31,495 manual and £32,995 auto.

The package includes 18-inch cast TF6 alloys, deep front and side skirts, a rear bumper spoiler and a fast-response quad-exhaust system with a rear diffuser to increase stability. TRD touches also extended to a branded radiator cap and fuel filler cover, while inside the car there is a new TRD gear shift lever.

These are in addition to GT86’s HID headlamps, front fog lamps, limited slip differential, Smart Entry and Start, dual-zone climate control, analogue dials and meters, drilled aluminium pedals, sports seats, scuff plates, cruise control and the Toyota Touch multimedia system.

Acceleration and maximum speed are unchanged at 7.7 seconds for 0-62mph and 140mph for the manual and 8.4 seconds and 130mph for the automatic. There are slight changes in fuel consumption and emissions: 192g/km and 34.9mpg for the manual and 181g/km and 36.2mpg for the automatic (all figures official combined cycle).

October 2014

Toyota GT86 update announced

The revised GT86 comes with a smart new shark fin roof antenna, tyre pressure warning system and carbon fibre-effect finish for the instrument panel.

The new cut-price model is called 'Primo', on 17-inch alloys, with limited-slip differential, aluminium sports pedals, air conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, front fog lamps, twin tailpipes, Toyota Touch multimedia system, Bluetooth and a new tyre pressure monitoring system. Available exclusively with manual transmission, the GT86 Primo is available to order immediately for delivery from January 2015.

The official on-the-road price for GT86 Primo is £22,995, cutting the cost of getting behind the wheel of a new GT86 by £2,115. Early customers can take advantage of an additional £500 saving on the model, for a limited period.

The classic GT86 remains at the heart of the range. Additional features to the Primo include a rear spoiler, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing HID headlights, LED daytime running lights and the option of automatic transmission.

The third model GT86 Aero has a TRD body kit, with large rear spoiler and front, side and rear skirts and 18-inch OZ Ultraleggera alloy wheels with an anthracite grey finish.

A new special edition GT86 Giallo adds extra style with special Giallo Edition black leather seats (heated for the driver and front passenger), a black GT86 side decal, gloss black door mirror housings and vibrant Giallo yellow metallic paintwork. Customers can also add an optional single-stripe bonnet, roof and boot decals at no extra cost. Just 86 examples are available for UK customers, each one individually numbered.

May 2015

Toyota GT86 improvements announced

The entry level Toyota GT86 Primo model moves on to 16-inch alloys and comes with a £300 lower price tag. An on-going customer offer is also available, adding a further £505 saving to deliver an on-the-road price of £22,195. Pricing for other models in the range is unchanged.

New wheels and new colours lead the features list for 2016MY, with the range-topping Aero model running on gloss black 18-inch rims and available with a hot GT86 Orange paint finish. Low sales of the auto mean that Aero is now only available with a six-speed manual transmission. The larger alloys are also newly available as an option on the core GT86 model.

The GT86 retains its proven combination of normally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine, low centre of gravity, rear-wheel drive and a beautifully balanced chassis. The engine now complies with Euro 6 emissions standards, with no change to its fuel economy and CO 2 performance.

June 2015

Toyota GT86 Bianco introduced at £28,500

Finished in GT White Pearl pearlescent paint with contrasting sports decals in a combination of red and grey. A stripe decal runs up from the nose and across the bonnet and roof, matched by a GT86 twin-stripe along the sills. The front lip and rear diffuser are edged in red and red and grey flashes adorn the door mirrors.

The 18-inch alloys have a slim 10-spoke design, finished in Anthracite and embossed with the GT86 name. The heated front sports seats have full leather upholstery. Each car features its own numbered plaque on the centre console, recording its place in the special edition production run.

A nine-speaker JBL sound system and the Toyota Touch and Go touchscreen-controlled multimedia and navigation package are optional extras.

March 2016

2017 Toyota GT86 revealed

The most important improvement is better torque at low revs, helping overcome the need to change down for the slightest incline on a motorway. Power also up from 198PS to 206PS.

Visual changes are led by more powerful styling elements, including an enlarged central air intake, which serves to emphasise the coupe’s low and wide stance. The front end also gains a restyled bumper, fog light housings and LED headlamps and turn indicators, and there are new-design alloy wheels with twisted spokes.

The cabin gets a new combination leather and Alcantara upholstery and Alcantara-wrapped instrument panel options. Alcantara is also featured on the door trims. A new cloth upholstery will be available with contrast silver stitching. The sports steering wheel has a new look, too, with integrated audio controls and an 86 logo on the centre boss.

Suspension changes, with revised shock absorber tuning and spring rates deliver easier control and increased agility. The powertrain is unaltered, retaining the car’s distinctive combination of a front-mounted, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre “boxer” engine driving the rear wheels.

September 2016

UK prices announced for improved 2017 Toyota GT86

Handling has been honed by tuning the electronic control systems, resulting in a new selectable “track” mode that lets the driver tap into the GT86’s full potential by adjusting the level of stability and traction control, including a “fully off” option.

Car’s styling changes have a specific dynamic purpose. This includes the new “teeth” featured along the bottom edge of the lower grille in the redesigned nose section, which help smooth the airflow. There is also a new, deeper rear bumper design and aero-stabilising fins have been introduced on the side of the car. The body structure has been made stiffer, particularly at the rear where additional spot welding has been introduced and key components have been made thicker. The Showa shock absorbers have been retuned for better handling and ride comfort.

A new 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display is included in the instrument binnacle’s triple-dials with a switchable menu that provides familiar journey distance and fuel economy information plus more performance-focused data, such as power and torque curves, stopwatch and a G-force monitor. In a small but telling detail, the tachometer has been reoriented so that 7,000rpm – the point of peak power delivery – sits invitingly at the top of the dial. The instrument panel has a one-piece design with a black finish with new carbon-fibre-pattern detailing.

The GT86’s “face” has been sharpened with new headlight units that create a stronger horizontal emphasis. LEDs are used for both low and high-beam and the turn indicators have been relocated from the front bumper to within the headlamp clusters, presented as a range of individual orange LEDs that harmonise with angled arrangement of the white daytime running lights. The rear lights have been reworked, too, again generating a stronger horizontal effect with new light guides for the LED tail lights.

The 2017 GT86 is offered in the UK in a simplified range that features two versions: GT86 and GT86 Pro, both of which are powered by the established 200PS 2.0-litre “boxer” engine with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The GT86 sits on new, slim 10-spoke 17-inch alloys with a machined finish. Equipment features include adaptive LED headlights, cruise control, electric, heated door mirrors with a folding function, aluminium sport pedals, high-performance brake discs and pads, hill start assist and smart entry with push-button start.

The GT86 Pro adds heated front seats, leather and Alcantara upholstery, a leather driver’s armrest and a sporting suede-effect finish for the dashboard and door trims. It also gains a rear spoiler, finished in matt grey (if customers prefer, this can be deleted at no extra cost).

Both versions feature the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with Bluetooth, 6.1-inch touchscreen and DAB tuner. As an option, the system can be upgraded to Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding satellite navigation, connectivity giving access to on-line services and social media channels, and three years’ inclusive map updates.

Front sports seats upholstered in black leather and Alcantara with contrast orange stitching, while the dashboard and door panel trims are covered in black suede, also with orange stitchwork. Equipment includes Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with DAB and Bluetooth, heated front seats, aluminium sports pedals, a limited slip differential and performance brake discs and pads.

The Club Series GT86 Orange Edition went on sale in May 2017, price £28,800 with six-speed manual transmission, £30,270 with six-speed automatic gearbox.

May 2018

GT86 Club Series Blue Edition launched

The Blue Edition makes a strong street statement with its Electric Blue bodywork and contrasting black styling details, including front grille, rear spoiler and diffuser, door mirror housings and front fog light surrounds. Inside, the cabin is finished in sporting black leather and Alcantara.

The optional Performance Pack delivers a more focused drive with the introduction of a Sachs-tuned suspension upgrade, with Sachs Performance dampers, and larger Brembo brakes that give both increased stopping power and improved pedal feel. To accommodate the striking, large red Brembo calipers, new-design 17-inch black alloy wheels are fitted.

Equipment specifications match those of the GT86 PRO and include a limited-slip differential, cruise control, dusk-sensing headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, LED front and rear lights and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system.