In today’s motor world, models like the Toyota GR86 have become a ‘rare bird’. We are talking about cars based on a formula that guarantees unique sensations at the wheel: naturally aspirated engines, manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive. Therefore, any occasion is good to enjoy them. In this video, the Toyota GR86 You have headed to the right place to have fun behind the wheel: Nurburgring. We anticipate that not the fastest, but the most enjoyment.
When Toyota conceived its sports coupeit did not seek to be the fastest in its segment. Nor the opportunity to boast of stratospheric performance figures. Quite simply, he wanted the person behind the wheel to enjoy a drive that was as intense as it was fun and rewarding. A recipe that is also followed by his cousin, the Subaru BRZ, or Mazda with the Mazda MX-5.
We were emphasizing to enjoy a car like the Toyota GR86 because unfortunately it will only be on sale in Europe for a couple of years because not compatible with Euro 7. Adapting it to this anti-pollution regulation would be very expensive and the investment would not be offset by the number of cars sold: especially since not many units will arrive in Europe. At least it will continue to sell without any problem in other markets.
The recipe
The model that takes over from the Toyota GT86 has more character and better response thanks to the new gasoline engine that opens. A naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder boxer that develops a power of 235 hp at 7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm. His dance partner is a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed torque converter automatic.
The companions of the German magazine Sports Car They decided to put this recipe to the test at the always challenging Nürburgring. The person in charge of doing it was Christian Gebhardt, whose specialty is lap times. From the hand of the pilot, In the video that accompanies these lines, we can enjoy a lap ‘on board’ at the controls of the Toyota GR86 in the Green Hell.
The action
As we mentioned, the time of the Japanese sports car has not slipped among the best: he completed the lap in 8 minutes and 27.27 seconds. Of course, it improved the mark of the Subaru BRZ Final Edition of the previous generation (8:43). And it is that even if we put the Toyota GR86 in the hands of the best driver, it would not break any record because it is designed to have fun. And for that, you don’t have to be the fastest in the class.
If we compare it with the performances of other sports cars at the Nürburgring, the differences are remarkable. The Renault Mégane RS Trophy-R drew the curves of the Nordschleife in 7:55, while the MINI John Cooper Works GP did it in 8:03 and the Hyundai i30 N Performance in 8:05. The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 signed a time of 8:08 in the Infienro Verde and the Toyota GR Yaris stayed in 8:14. There were some that did fall behind the Toyota GR86 such as the Mini JCW Pro (8:28) or the Hyundai i20 N Performance (8:33).
