Driving the new Toyota GR86 in GT Sport

For the upcoming 22nd August round, entrants will be using this brand-new GR 86 – the replacement for the 86/GT86/FT86/FR-S that originally launched back in 2012 and shares a platform with the Subaru BRZ.

Aside from the swanky new looks and more contemporary interior design, on track within GT Sport, the first thing you notice is a different responsive from the engine. Yes, you still must rev the knackers off it to make any progress, but it’s more substantial, with a deeper engine note low down in the rev range. It still sounds a bit like a bag of bolts near the redline, however.

The differences are more pronounced around the corners. There is a significant increase in stability, and whereas before a little flick-and-lift upon corner-entry would make the rear dance on the GT86, the GR 86 needs more encouragement.

A reluctant performer at first, you need to use a dab of handbrake and once a slide is initiated, it’s more work to keep it flowing. It’s more consistent and quicker around the lap, more accessible, but perhaps a little of the charm has been removed.

This is still a smile-inducing car once you adapt, mind you.

Hey. It’s 2021. There’s a new rear-wheel-drive, manual, non-turbo, non-hybrid sports car. And you can play it right now within GT Sport. Happy days.