The Last Hoorah for Toyota’s 86.
In the near future, rally giants Subaru and Toyota will announce the new 86 and BRZ. Yippee! And high time too.
Given the timing, it is fair to assume another joint project, following years of will they, won’t they.
86/BRZ is in the propinquity of its sunset years, but, fear not. 86 is no pasty old pensioner.
When Tatsuya Tada, Chief-eningeer, was head of the project a decade ago, he could’t possibly have prepared himself for the intant icon statuts his clever coupe quickly captured. A myirad of Modders fettle the the Toyota, promting even more performance out of it.
Others, like me, prefer it just as it is.
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Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2020 Toyota 86 Sports Car (manual transmission)
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ABOVE: Tatsuya Tada, Toyota 86 (facelift model)
Is the look of 86 still up to par?
Plenty of po-faced peseants poo-poo’d it from the start. They said the look lacked lustre. To them I say, “you’re wrong, you raffish rapscalions.” Of course, what I’m acutlly thinking is, “they’re crass and vulgar varlets, lacking any modicum of culture or taste.”
86 is beautiful. It is a budget ferrari. Unlike Ferraris, Toyotas will outlast Armagedden, so not only is 86 a handsome hunk, but he will never let you down.
86 has had a tasteful tweak during his long and noble life. The front looks even meaner with LED arrays. The rear lights have a deliciously after-market LED look to them after they got the laying-on of hands. A small spoiler appeared on the boot lid, but other than that, my favourite coupe is as it was first reaslied back in 2011.
What about the tech? Is that up to snuff too?
The oily bits work as they always have. The fully formed flat four has a mere 152kw with 212 torques, managed without the aid of fan-forced fixings.
Our test car even had the loving hands of Messrs Sachs and Brembo fettling the brakes and suspension for extra agility.
Funnily enough, neither Toyota nor Subaru ever saw fit to prise more power from the 86. Pity. More power is always gooder, as my old mechanic used to say. Mind you, he was mildly manic, and used to leave his car doors open when parked, so as not to wear out the seals. Make of that what you will.
Sadly, or not, the safety gear is another issue altogether.
Whilst the modders won’t mind the lack of driver support, most punters prefer the full shebang. There are aibags of course, and ABS with fancy traction settings, but there is not a hint of such nonsense at Blind Spot detection or active lane management. More importantly, there is no AEB, which for some, is a deal breaker.
The lack of DAB is a disaster, but the absence of Apple CarPlay should be punishable by death. It is utterly unforgiveable. The audio setup is by virtue of an el-cheapo drop-in head unit that is easily replaced. That’s not something one should have to do oneself. It’s just plain bonkers.
Toyota had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the smartphone integration party. While their fingernal marks are on the doorjams of other models, 86 escaped most modernisation.
Does 86 still drive like a fine filly?
Oh yes, yes it does.
In short, 86 is a peach. The manual is as slick as a vintage port, and the throaty 4-pot is as eager to please as a nippy terrier.
Rear-wheel-drives are fun at th best of times, but 86 will happily wag a tail, with almost no tempting. You have to be ready for it, lest it bites you in the bum. Even in the hands of modest talent, it remains the most fun you can have sitting down.
It corners psychically, but 86 is a drifter’s car at heart. It is never too far away from needing a touch of opposite lock. Somehow, the slightly warwad leanings simply add to the thrill.
Conclusion:
I hope Toyota and Subaru have had another one night stand. This baby was one worth adopting, but I fear the new love child might be a minger. The new model is rumoured to have turbos and 4-wheel steering, but will this ruin the boy-racer?.
Perhaps I’m being too harsh. After all, the BMW marriage gave us a shiny new Supra, right?
I’m sure my fears will go unrealised, and this last hoorah bodes well for what is to come. Meanwhile, I’ll happily take 86 out for a drink whenever he asks.
2.0 Boxer 4 Cylinder
Power: 152kw/212Nm (manual), 205kw/205Nm (automatic)
Trans: 6 manual or 6 speed automatic
Fuel: 98ron, 8.4l/100,
Kerb Weight: 1258kg
Fuel tank: 50L
Performance Pack includes Brembo Brakes and SACHS Suspension
86 GT manual $32,180, auto $34,480
Dynamic performance pack – $2,900
Premium paint – $500
86 GTS manual $37,380, auto $39,680
Dynamic performance pack – $2,200
Dynamic performance pack with
Apollo Blue Paint – $2,200
Premium paint – $500
Tags:
Toyota 86, toyota drifter, gay toyota, gay sports cars, gay 86, tatsuya tada engineer, classic sports car, iconic sports car
Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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