86 [Official] Toyota GT 86

[NarutoRamen]

WTH...why they line the scion up with the AE86 Trueno? I know it shares the GT86 has an 86 in the name and it's RWD, but that's it.

 

[Levi68]

From Japanese 86 borchure!


Crawford Performance
First team in the US to tap into the FR-S FA20 ECU!

I think this car will have the best aftermarket surport as it is the most affordable true sports car.

 

[Soup]

Hot Toyota GT 86 planned - Autocar.co.uk

Toyota is already hard at work evaluating a high performance version of the new Toyota GT 86 sporting coupe. Chief engineer Tetsuo Tada says that not only is a supercharged GT 86 envisaged, test cars have already been made and are being evaluated by Toyota Racing Developments, the Japanese giant’s in house tuning division.

Tada-san favours the supercharger approach because it is simpler to achieve than increasing engine size and doesn’t wreck throttle response as turbocharging might. Indeed Toyota says that turbocharging along with four-wheel drive and wide tyres are what make sports cars boring to drive.

Supercharging is also a key competence for TRD which has been offering this kind of forced induction as an aftermarket kit for Toyotas since 1998. He would not be drawn on what kind of power a supercharged GT 86 might develop but Toyota is known to consider the car’s chassis could easily handle an additional 50bhp to go with the 197bhp already generated by its Subaru 2-litre flat four motor, a view with which, having driven the car, we wholly concur. However he says the TRD is also looking at ways of modifying the suspension to cope with the extra power, raising the possibility of a still more substantial power hike.

TRD’s most popular supercharger conversion is applied to the American market Tacoma pick up, boosting its 4-litre V6 engine from 233bhp to 301bhp suggesting that a 280bhp GT 86 with, critically, a massive boost in the low down torque the car currently lacks would be easily achieved. Even in the unlikely event that all the modifications added 100kg to the weight of the car, its power to weight ratio would still at least equal that of the 326bhp Nissan 370Z, a car capable of hitting 62mph from rest in 5.3sec and recording a top speed of 155mph. The standard GT 86 needs around 6.8sec and does 143mph. It is not yet known whether, if approved, the supercharged GT 86 would be offered as an aftermarket pack or as a model in its own right.

Tada also confirmed that it was so important to his team that even the standard GT 86 drifted properly that special tests were incorporated into the car’s development programme specifically for this purpose, ‘the first time this has ever been done on any Toyota.’

 

[Levi68]

I would wait for some larger displacement FA20, either from STI or any other tuner. What about Cosworth? That would be really nice.

 

[Cashmere]

Love the execution of the rear fender in the last pic.

 

[ateekt]

Respect - Lots of respect. I'd take that white beauty over the newbie any day, any time!!

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Toyota/Subaru "ToyoBaru/FT86" Car Thread(Updated 12/3/11) - Page 64 - my.IS - Lexus IS Forum

Full coverage from start to finish.

 

[Guibo]

Evo Magazine first drive

Driven: Toyota GT 86

Rating:

We've driven Toyota's new GT 86 rear-drive sports coupe - and on first impressions, it's brilliant

By John Simister
December 2011

What is it?

It seems like this car has been speculated over and reported on for years, but finally this Toyota coupe, and its Subaru sister, are here in final production form.

Known in Toyota guise as FT 86 ('Future Toyota') up to now, the car you'll be able to buy from June 2012, with prices starting around £25,000, is now called GT 86. Subaru's version, the BRZ, differs only in the shape of the front air intake, trim details and some suspension settings.

The GT 86 is that now-rare concoction, a simple, affordable, rear-drive coupé designed for pure driving amusement without being burdened by excessive technology – a sort of faster, sharper MX-5 with a coupe body. It uses Subaru-flavoured componentry, specifically a 1998cc flat-four engine and a platform derived from that of the just-launched new Impreza, but the idea of a front engine and rear-wheel drive is a welcome return to what used to work so well.

GT 86 development engineer Yoshi Sasaki says the GT 86 is for those who are bored with cars that are too powerful with their turbo engines, have too much grip with their huge tyres and four-wheel drive, cost too much and don't let the driver do enough. 'A fun car,' he says, 'is a car that you control.'

Technical highlights?

There's 197bhp at 7000rpm on offer here, but the fact that the 152lb ft torque peak arrives at 6600rpm tells you much about how this engine is going to feel. It has both indirect and direct injection, switching between them as needed, and a high 12.5 to one compression ratio. The six-speed gearbox is borrowed from the Toyota Altezza (Japanese-market Lexus IS), or you can have a six-speed, torque-converter auto from the Lexus IS-F.

Suspension is by struts at the front, double wishbones at the back, there's a Torsen LSD and – cue flash of techno-anxiety – the power steering is electric. Weight distribution is slightly rear-biased, total weight is 1190kg and the centre of gravity is said to be lower than a Cayman's.

What's it like to drive?

It restores your faith in cars. No excuses, no unsaid undercurrent that makes the best of the fact that cars are generally becoming more synthetic and less involving to drive. The GT 86 is a complete cracker.

Here's why. Our encounter took place on the Sodeguara racetrack outside Tokyo, full of bends and dips and lightly coated with rain. You need a car with sensitive controls for a track like that, and within half a lap you feel completely at ease in the GT 86 as rush right up to its limits. Via possibly the best electric steering system we've yet encountered, with much more subtle sensitivity than the new 911's system and a more mechnically-connected feel about the centre, you can exploit a balance perfectly tunable with the tiniest throttle inputs. Take a corner briskly and there's stabilising understeer; accelerate a bit and the understeer vanishes as the tail starts to dominate. From there to a drift is a land of opportunity with abundant signposting. Seldom is a car so up for a friendly game.

The brakes are similarly progressive, while the engine does its best work at high revs where it emits a beaty rasp somewhere between the sound of an Alfasud and a regular Subaru, but without the bass throb. Six closely stacked gear ratios make the best of the engine's peakiness. The auto alternative works well enough, if without quite the smappiness of a double-clutcher, but the manual is obviously the one to have.

Obviously we will have to wait to get one in the UK to deliver the definitive verdict on how it copes with real, bumpy roads - but on first impressions, it's brilliant.

How does it compare?

It makes a Scirocco seem synthetic, an RCZ anaesthetised, a 3-series Coupé over-complicated. This is a pure driving device like an Elise or an MX-5 with sharpened sinews. This is how a proper sporting coupé should be. Toyota intended it to embody elements of the 1960s 2000GT and the 1980s rear-drive Corolla Twin-Cam (AE86), and it does.

Anything else I need to know?

It's a two-plus-two, but Yoshi Sasaki says hopes the rear space will be used to carry trackday wheels – it's that sort of car. The interior is functional and well-finished, with a low driving position and no unnecessary gadgetry.

It's also the first front-engined, rear-drive, flat-four sports car since the 1950s Jowett Jupiter. Tell that to your mates at the pub. (On second thoughts, don't.)

The car looks better in the metal than in pictures. And if you drive one, you'll want to own one.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/276016/driven_toyota_gt_86.html

 

[Zafiro]

Is it me or is part of the exhaust colored in blue?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Driven: Toyota GT 86

Rating:

We've driven Toyota's new GT 86 rear-drive sports coupe - and on first impressions, it's brilliant

By John Simister
December 2011


What is it?



The GT 86 is that now-rare concoction, a simple, affordable, rear-drive coupé designed for pure driving amusement without being burdened by excessive technology – a sort of faster, sharper MX-5 with a coupe body. It uses Subaru-flavoured componentry, specifically a 1998cc flat-four engine and a platform derived from that of the just-launched new Impreza, but the idea of a front engine and rear-wheel drive is a welcome return to what used to work so well.

GT 86 development engineer Yoshi Sasaki says the GT 86 is for those who are bored with cars that are too powerful with their turbo engines, have too much grip with their huge tyres and four-wheel drive, cost too much and don't let the driver do enough. 'A fun car,' he says, 'is a car that you control.'



What's it like to drive?

It restores your faith in cars. No excuses, no unsaid undercurrent that makes the best of the fact that cars are generally becoming more synthetic and less involving to drive. The GT 86 is a complete cracker.

Here's why. Our encounter took place on the Sodeguara racetrack outside Tokyo, full of bends and dips and lightly coated with rain. You need a car with sensitive controls for a track like that, and within half a lap you feel completely at ease in the GT 86 as rush right up to its limits. Via possibly the best electric steering system we've yet encountered, with much more subtle sensitivity than the new 911's system and a more mechnically-connected feel about the centre, you can exploit a balance perfectly tunable with the tiniest throttle inputs. Take a corner briskly and there's stabilising understeer; accelerate a bit and the understeer vanishes as the tail starts to dominate. From there to a drift is a land of opportunity with abundant signposting. Seldom is a car so up for a friendly game.

The brakes are similarly progressive, while the engine does its best work at high revs where it emits a beaty rasp somewhere between the sound of an Alfasud and a regular Subaru, but without the bass throb. Six closely stacked gear ratios make the best of the engine's peakiness. The auto alternative works well enough, if without quite the smappiness of a double-clutcher, but the manual is obviously the one to have.

Obviously we will have to wait to get one in the UK to deliver the definitive verdict on how it copes with real, bumpy roads - but on first impressions, it's brilliant.

How does it compare?

It makes a Scirocco seem synthetic, an RCZ anaesthetised, a 3-series Coupé over-complicated. This is a pure driving device like an Elise or an MX-5 with sharpened sinews. This is how a proper sporting coupé should be. Toyota intended it to embody elements of the 1960s 2000GT and the 1980s rear-drive Corolla Twin-Cam (AE86), and it does.

Anything else I need to know?

It's a two-plus-two, but Yoshi Sasaki says hopes the rear space will be used to carry trackday wheels – it's that sort of car. The interior is functional and well-finished, with a low driving position and no unnecessary gadgetry.

It's also the first front-engined, rear-drive, flat-four sports car since the 1950s Jowett Jupiter. Tell that to your mates at the pub. (On second thoughts, don't.)

The car looks better in the metal than in pictures. And if you drive one, you'll want to own one.

Driven: Toyota GT86 review and pictures | evo

Wow, talk about a glowing review, and from Evo, no less! Electric steering better than the new 911, that's really praise-worthy. Though, I did not realize the platform was derived from the Impreza....I thought i was all-new.

So which one would I get? That depends...
If this coupe was the only car in my stable, I'd get the BRZ. That is if what they are saying is true about the BRZ being a bit better equipped and more upscale. If I was so inclined, eventually I would then try do some mods to get power to about 220-240 hp.
If I have another car I can use, then I'd get the Scion (as that might be cheaper), replace all the Scion badges with Toyota badges, strip out the all the frills except the HVAC, and do some more drastic mods than I would have for the BRZ. I would try to get the power to about 250 hp and try to get as light and balanced as possible.

 

[Soup]

Titanium construction ?

 

[330CIZHP]

What a review. I expect nothing less than a rational and objective review from arguably the best car magazine in the business - Evo.

If the GT-86 had 240 - 250 HP from the same naturally aspirated without weighing more, it would have been the perfect car in every sense.

 

[Levi68]

+1

Now I would just like to have an indepth review from Chris Haris, IMO best automotive journalist as he is objective and really knows what he is talking about and thinks a any true car enthusiast.

 

[Centurion]

Press doesn't get more positive than this for a Toyota. You'd thi k that evo was driving a GT3 4.0 or something. This car is shaping up to be something. Sports car of the year 2012?

 

[Levi68]

I really hope this and that this car will have success and push other makers to bring out new rivals. Thinking of: BMW Z2, Honda S2000, Mazda RX-(x), Nissan Silvia (?), Alfa Romeo,...

 

[Soup]

http://img38.imageshack.us/i/tg2ey.jpg/

 

[Soup]

 

[Guibo]

Evo's John Simister offers a bit more insight in this version for PistonHeads:

I press the start button, snick into first gear and head onto the sinuous, three-dimensional and threateningly wet track. Straight away the GT feels taut, keen, lighter than its 1,200kg. The engine has a sharp, crackly beat from within, somewhere between an Impreza and an Alfasud but without the deep throb of a traditional breathed-on Subaru.

A wet track means the balance will very quickly make itself clear, as will the quality of the steering's communication. Three bends on and the GT 86 has lifted the fog we hadn't realised has been surrounding too many new cars. I'm in touch with the track as though stroking the surface with my bare hand. It's extraordinary.

Here's a fast, downhill right. Traction and stability systems are off. The front wheels are washing slightly wide under gentle power, but in the best rear-drive fashion I can squeeze the accelerator a little harder and feel the tail edge out to match. Now the GT is balanced perfectly through the long curve, right foot the arbiter of the line, then I can nail it at the exit and let the engine rev out before snicking into the next gear.

It's not what you've got...
It's not a massively potent engine, and its low-end response is crisp rather than muscular, but the power build-up is very progressive and easily, instantly metered. Here lies part of the secret of the way you can control the GT 86 so sensitively. Along with the steering's precision and similar linearity of response are balance and a lack of roll that comes with the low centre of gravity. Powerslides are yours for the asking, recovering them could hardly be easier. The gearchange is quick and easy, too, and the brakes match the other controls for progression.

Sounds good, yes? Then you learn, on returning reluctantly to the pitlane after some of the most enjoyable and tactile track laps you've had in a while, that the power steering is - yes - electric. Not only that, but the motor is mounted on the steering column rather than the rack, popularly supposed to be an inferior system. I'm stunned when Mr Sasaki tells me this. "We've got very good at the programming," he says. As someone who has consistently disliked EPAS, I have to eat my words here. Not even the new Porsche 911's EPAS is this good.

The GT 86 is the sort of car that restores your faith in the world. It feels fantastically intuitive on the track, with the purity and transparency of an early MX-5 but sharper and lower in inertia. In fact I can't think of another car that has felt this good, this all-involving in years outside the realms of Caterhams and Elises, yet this one has a roof and you can use it for any journey you like. Based on our experience so far, the world's third-biggest car manufacturer has just made possibly the best affordable fun car you can buy.

Driven: Toyota GT 86

(His praise of the steering sounds as though some of the development work on the LFA has already trickled down into the GT 86. Here's his initial LFA review in Evo:
"the steering feels precise, tactile, credible despite being electrically assisted via, even less promisingly, a motor mounted on the column rather than the rack.")


Another test report in The Telegraph:

See it in the pictures and the GT-86 looks a long way from epochal. You'd be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about. The style is sports-coupé ubiquity, nice nose, but derivative tail treatment, although the front wing bulges are a nice touch. It also looks bigger than it is, although in reality, the GT 86 is quite a small car at just 14ft long and weighing just over a ton (1,188kg).

Under the skin it's also unexceptional; MacPherson strut front, with a wishbone rear. The horizontally-opposed flat-four is from Subaru, the sophisticated port and direct fuel injection is Toyota's. Subaru provides the six-speed manual gearbox (which you want), or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifting (which you don't).

Perhaps most remarkable is the choice of wheels and tyres for this sporting model; the 215/45/R17 Michelins are the same as those fitted to the Toyota Prius. And even the brakes are bog-standard production items; ventilated discs with single-piston swing calipers.

Start her up and the flat-four sounds unexceptional, even blipping the throttle doesn't portend anything like driving fun, the 3.4in-bore exhaust snaps don't thrapp or snarl and it just sounds, well, quite ordinary if a bit lumpy. Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of the GT 86, has already said he wants a better engine note.

The major controls are light with a meaty weight to the electrically-assisted steering and a short-throw transmission. Pull out onto the wet Sodegaura circuit in Japan and it feels nice, but there's a line of communication running through the steering and chassis that hints at something else. So you hold onto the well-stacked gears and the engine eagerly climbs up the scale, doing its work with a growing snarl as it gets towards the 7,450rpm red line.

While the power delivery is flat, this little car flies. Turn into the first corner and you understand what it's all about. The nose comes round eagerly, with little body roll thanks to a low centre of gravity and once through a slight hesitancy the GT 86 is beautifully balanced and neutral, either drifting with all four wheels, or waiting for you to push the tail out with a judicious prod of the right foot. With the brilliantly communicative steering, you instinctively know what the wheels are doing and how much grip you have to play with.

And there's not a lot of grip. You'd certainly be going faster and developing more side loads in one of the rivals, but it's hard to imagine you would be having so much fun. The GT 86 is old-school in a way car makers haven't touched for years. A morning on a track with the Hachiroku and you'll remember driving skills you thought you'd long forgotten. And it does all this with a degree of adjustability that makes it the nearest thing to an old rear-drive Ford Escort in the showrooms. If all else fails, there's also a smooth stability control circuitry, which gathers it all up and points the nose back down the road.

"Many of the rivals have turbos, big tyres and four-wheel drive," says Yoshi Sasaki, product planning boss of the GT 86. "They have become sports cars that control their own behaviour – sports cars have become boring."

He's right. You'd have to fork out almost twice the price to get something to rival the GT 86, and then you'd have to be going at twice the speed to feel the adjustability of the chassis. It's no wonder that car company development drivers are probably the only beings able to exploit their car's handling characteristics. This new Toyota/Subaru democratises all that and teaches you on the way.

Toyota UK reckons it'll sell about 4,000 a year, we think it might be surprised how much of a waiting list it ends up with.

Verdict: Utterly entrancing old-school sports coupé that brings the fun back to driving

Telegraph rating:

Toyota GT 86 review - Telegraph

 

[Levi68]

Most reviews give this car 5 stars. It is really the sportscar of the decade (toghether with 911 GT3 and 458 Italia?)

 

[martinbo]

It's definitely not the sportscar of the decade. But it is the cheap sportscar of the year - without question.