Toyota is fine-tuning its sporty GR (Gazoo Racing) range by reintegrating its small sporty 4-cylinder coupé with a Boxer engine. A real journey back in time, to a time when inexpensive pleasure automobiles flourished.
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 able not only to maintain, but also to grow a real segment of cars. thermal sports.
Even though these models are now condemned on the European market due to discouraging penalties, while Renault has just put an end to the production of its RS brand with the very latest Mégane, and while all the premium manufacturers are in the process of electrifying by forced marching their most powerful models, Toyota strikes a big blow in the sporting field.
The heart of this offensive, obviously aimed primarily at the non-European market, is called GR, GR for Gazoo Racing. Just like Mercedes with AMG, Toyota has brought together all its models, engineering and motorsport research (including the prestigious endurance team which runs the 24 Hours of Le Mans) under the banner of its sports trainer, now totally integrated into the group. Thus, he was able to develop in a few years a real small sports range, entirely thermal, which has earned a very strong reputation.
It started with the GT Supra, built jointly with BMW, it continued with a small Yaris GR which blew the world’s automotive press, it will also soon result in the arrival of a high performance model of the Corolla, spectacular… And also the affixing of the GR label as a sporty finish on more classic models in the range, in particular certain SUVs.
The strong point: a light sports car, a legendary engine
Only one ingredient was missing, a small mid-range sport-pleasure coupe, and rather cheap to collect the penalties. And Toyota quickly looked into the case of its GT86, launched 10 years ago. Despite the risk of seeing this kind of model doomed on the European market, Toyota finally decided to release an evolution, renamed GR86 for the occasion, and import it into Europe. Very little change as the original model was praised for its innate qualities: lightness, dynamism, perfect balance and neat design. At the time, we just regretted a somewhat limited power, at only 200 horsepower.
The GR86 therefore corrects this lack. Now with 234 horsepower, the small sports coupe finally has a trunk that justifies its existence within the range. Under the hood, still an engine dear to the Toyota/Subaru galaxy: an atmospheric Boxer with a displacement of 2.4 liters.
Full of torque and flexibility, it fits perfectly into the machine’s low architecture, its “flat” structure with a pair of antagonistic cylinders (like 2 boxers returning blow for blow in a loop, hence the name …) allowing it to be placed at the bottom of the engine bay, 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, in other words the GR86 goes fast, very fast, with a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 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 climbs much higher and much faster in the revs, with its characteristic sewing machine noise and grunts, reminiscent of the famous Subaru Impreza WRX, world rally champions with this engine…
But there, no turbo, we even have the impression of being in direct contact with the machine, so reactive is the engine, the lively steering, the precise running gear and… the high-performance gearbox. Yes, because the GR86 retains a good old mechanical gearbox, not as perfect as at Mazda or Honda, but with pleasant handling and very good responsiveness.
And the machine being a pure propulsion, as we are close to each mechanical organ, we are also immersed in a universe of tactile and sound sensations which make us feel each change of speed, each change of course, each braking or climbing in regime… A real school car, very rich in sensations, reminiscent, in a different genre, of the Mazda MX-5.
Only the adjustment of the suspensions seems a little flexible for this kind of machine, tolerating a significant roll. But for the rest, its architecture makes it a devourer of bends and small roads, and for enthusiasts, it’s a born drifter, with a rear axle that slides just enough and very healthy reactions. Moreover, it is possible to partially or totally disconnect the ESP to take advantage of it.
Back to simplicity
If the liveliness of the train can confuse the accustomed to SUVs and large sedans, it will amaze those nostalgic for the sensational automobile. Including inside. Certainly very bare, without any fuss, a very simple finish just enhanced with a few touches of alcantara and fairly narrow but very comfortable bucket seats. The digital instrumentation is also very simple, speed, tachometer, a few gadgets such as a stopwatch, mechanical curves and a “G” force meter to test the liveliness of the machine, but that’s all.
No setting of different driving modes, even the infotainment screen seems to take us back to the 2000s, as it is rudimentary. And finally all the interest is there, refocusing the driver’s interest on the dynamic qualities of this coupe.
Moreover, we are well cocooned in the cabin but we will probably feel a little cramped in the long run. Especially in the virtual absence of somewhat practical storage, only a glove box and a small storage space far behind the armrest will be able to accommodate a few objects.
As for the rear seats… Not uncomfortable for all that, even rather enveloping and pleasant, but you still have to fit in there, not exceed 1.70 meters and have your feet not too wide to be able to fit them under the seats before. But they have the merit of existing, just like a trunk far from being ridiculous with a capacity of 280 liters. Not huge, but sufficient.
The black point: ergonomic details and discouraging penalty
A few slightly more embarrassing faults can also annoy, such as a not very precise automatic indicator switch, horrifying front seatbelt supports and somewhat capricious connectivity with mobile phones. The GR86 has no in-house navigation system. You will therefore have to succeed in connecting your phone, otherwise… You will have to trust your instincts or a good road map.
But from the design to the behavior, we really feel that the GR engineers wanted to create a sporty Toyota just enough, fine-tuned, for maximum sensations and simplicity, usable on a daily basis. All with a design again simpler, less tortured than that of the GT86. We will just regret the old model’s pretty logo on the sides, taking up the design of the Boxer engine.
But at what cost?
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 that is finally up to scratch and such a balance between prices, the GR86 is somewhat without equal in the current automotive offer. But he will still have to swallow a penalty of 16,500 euros which will undoubtedly make him a very rare bird.
Nissan, for example, has given up importing its new and highly anticipated 400Z to Europe for these reasons. Toyota is therefore relentless, and even if the GR86 certainly does not look like a bestseller, it has the merit of existing and will satisfy lovers of simple and old-fashioned automotive pleasures. A very rare commodity.
Our test model: Toyota GR86 from 33,900 to 35,700 (automatic transmission)
