Toyota 86 Auto

Let’s not beat about the bush here, the Toyota 86 is probably the most anticipated sports car in a very, very long time. Since the very first whisper of the project found its way onto the pages of the internet, budget limited motoring enthusiasts have left no stone unturned in the search for details and maybe a glimpse at a spy shot.

It’s no wonder when you consider Toyota’s recent history has yielded nothing more interesting than wall paper paint, leaving the 86 a novelty spot on their showroom floors. The fact that Subaru had a lot to do with the cars development has also helped a great deal in the media build up to its release.

Look at the facts and it sure does live up to the hype. Front engined, rear wheel drive, light weight, simple engineering – it reads like a purists manifesto. Well, until an automatic gearbox showed up on the options list that is.

Installing an automatic gearbox in a sports car of this nature may seem completely daft – but this paddle-shifter swaps ratios in a fifth of a second, holds the gear even at the limiter and boasts rev-matching blips during downshifts.

Despite the surprisingly clever gearbox technology, I cannot help but agree and say it is completely daft to have introduced an automatic 86. A fact that becomes crystal clear when you shift through third, fourth and fifth during a bout of spirited driving – the rapidly falling revs an indication of the torque-less 2.0 litre boxer motor on the other side of the gearbox.

The problem is that all the wonderful power and torque is right at the top of the rev range, so if you’re not revving the nuts off you’re not going anywhere. Yes, if you’re prepared to put in the work it is possible to keep the revs somewhere near the 6800rpm sweet spot – but if you’re prepared to work at the paddles that much you may as well have bought the manual. Leave the gearbox to its own devices (which is what most people do in an auto) and you’ll soon become frustrated with the performance.

All this comes as a real disappointment in the face of what is otherwise an exquisite driving machine. The 86 is perfectly balanced, with faultlessly weighted steering, exceptional feel and outstanding levels of grip, that when exceeded, is easily controllable. It really is that good dynamically.

It’s also remarkably good looking, with almost classical sports car influences. In fact a Toyota 2000GT – arguably the best looking Toyota of all time – was placed next to the clay model of the 86 during development. Without receiving any specific instructions, the designers continued their work, occasionally glancing up at the 2000GT. As a result, their work infused the 86 with its ancestor’s spirit.

It’s a real pity Toyota added the option of an automatic gearbox to the 86 range. It detracts significantly from the ethos of the car and by extension its overall impression. That said, at around R300 000 I would have no reservations recommending the (manual) 86 to anyone out there looking for a fun sports car. Value for money like that just cannot be matched.

Price: R351 900
Engine: 2.0 litre flat-four petrol
Power: 147kW
Torque: 205Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.2
Top speed: 210 km/h
Consumption (l/100km): 7.1 (claimed)

Miles Downard
First published in Autodealer KZN