Andrew Frankel reviews the Toyota GT86 – a lively Japanese drifting car that brings bags of fun to the UK market
Toyota GT86
This model from £25,110
Toyota designed the GT86 as the antidote to modern sports coupés, many of which have become fat and heavy cruisers designed primarily to be seen in rather than driven hard. Toyota’s approach was to go back to basics and produce a simple, rear-wheel drive coupé with a pared-back interior, a modestly powerful engine and an attractive list price. Narrow tyres from the humble Toyota Prius ensure that even moderately skilled drivers can safely enjoy feeling the back twitch a little exiting slow corners.
The result is a car that proves better than any other the difference between ‘fun’ and ‘fast’. It shows you don’t have to break the law to have a good time behind the wheel and that you don’t need to spend a fortune to own a car that not only looks great, but drives beautifully too.
Performance
- Engine: 1998cc, 200bhp
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Top speed: 140mph
- 0-60mph acceleration: 7.6sec
Costs
- Claimed economy: 36.2mpg
