TOYOTA GT86
Above almost everything else, the Toyota GT86 is a celebration of the sensation and passion of driving.
When the Toyota GT86 was launched a few years ago, there was a real buzz surrounding it. It had been quite some time since Toyota had launched a sports car, but more than that, it had been quite some time since a sports car was priced so competitively.
Sports cars are not cheap to develop, build or even to sell. They only ever move in small volumes and it costs an unbelievable amount of money and time – which is also money in the car industry – to bring one to market. Thankfully, Toyota, along with its partner in the development, Subaru, did bring the GT86 to market and the results were, and still are, something really rather special.
A potent engine is crucial to any sports car, but the 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ in the GT86 isn’t as potent as some hot hatchbacks of our era. It produces just 198bhp, but that isn’t the whole story. For a start, it’s normally aspirated, meaning you really have to work it to get the most out of it – much like an old sports car. Peak power only turns up at 7,000rpm, so you really have to be zoned it to make the GT86 produce the best of itself. Also, as a ‘boxer’ engine, the cylinders are horizontally-opposed, giving the engine a much lower centre of gravity, and that improves handling which is the key theme of this car.
The core concept of the GT86 is not to offer mind-blowing speed, but rather provide a car that expresses the delicacy of balance in performance driving, as well as a high level of mastery. It takes knowledge, an understanding of performance driving and a feel for the car to drive well. This type of vehicle is incredibly rare in the modern market, it and may not be long before there are no longer any cars of this ilk.
If you seek a car you can form a relationship with, dance with and learn about, then the Toyota GT86 is probably the best car for the job, as well as being the best value on a Synergy lease agreement.