2023 Toyota GR86 (UK-Spec)
The Toyota GR86 has carried off Top Gear’s Sports Car of the Year award, the magazine declaring itself “enraptured” by the sell-out coupe.
The accolade continues a winning bloodline, coming 10 years on from GT86, the model’s predecessor, having been named Top Gear’s Car of the Year and two years after GR Yaris claimed the Hot Hatch of the Year title.
Jack Rix, Top Gear Editor, said: “Forget poor-man’s-Porsche jibes – this thing flew out of showrooms quicker than a GT3 RS. It deserved to. The GR86 is delightful, a blend of mildly improved ingredients that meld together for a genius whole. We’re enraptured that it exists.”
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ToyotaThe third model in a “power of three” GR performance-focused model line-up alongside GR Yaris and GR Supra, GR86 was developed with knowledge and insights gained from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s multi-championship-winning involvement in top-level international motorsport. So great was public anticipation of the car, the entire UK allocation was snapped up by customers within 90 minutes of order books opening in April this year.
Like GT86, GR86 has a low-mounted “boxer” engine driving the rear wheels, but with capacity increased to 2.4 litres. There’s a hike in power and torque to 231bhp and 250Nm, enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds for the manual version.
The new chassis has a lower centre of gravity and improved front/rear weight balance. Together with increased body rigidity, sports-tuned suspension and a limited-slip differential (fitted as standard), these qualities give stronger dynamic performance in a car that’s faithful to the fundamentals of classic sports car design.
