Toyota GT 86 on sale in 2012
28.11.2011 - Stuart Milne
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The Toyota GT 86 - the most eagerly-awaited sports car of the decade - is set for its worldwide debut later this week at the Tokyo motor show.
Sporting sleek looks and a four seat layout, the GT 86 is said to be a return to Toyota's sporting roots and will rival the Audi TT, Volkwagen Scirocco and Nissan 370Z.
Although Toyota had hinted at a bargain £22,000 price tag for British buyers, the final price will be around £28,000 when it goes on sale next year.
The GT 86 has been designed as a sports car from the ground up alongside Subaru, which will announce its own version of the car at a later date.
Subaru has supplied the engine, which is a 2-litre 'boxer' unit developing 197bhp and 151 lb/ft of pulling power and mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox - both with six speeds - with performance described as "engaging".
Although no performance figures have been announced, it is expected to take seven seconds to reach 62mph before reaching a 145mph top speed, partly thanks to its lightweight construction.
Toyota says the GT 86 is the most compact four seat sports car on sale today. It has a near-perfect 53:47 front to rear weight distribution and a very low centre of gravity, both vital to offer class-leading performance.
The styling is slightly less dramatic than the FT 86 concept on which the production-ready car is based, but the front end is reminiscent of the Lexus LFA supercar. Standard equipment will include 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and twin exhausts.
Toyota says the interior has been developed for the best driving experience, including a steering wheel trimmed in buckskin - the smallest steering wheel ever fitted to a Toyota - and dials which have been optimised for the best readability at speed.
The GT 86 follows a long line of compact sports cars which included the iconic 2000 GT, mid-engined MR2, four-seat Celica and the Corolla GT which claimed two British Touring Car Championship titles.
