;) Drive Car of the Year: Toyota 86 GT

[Wretched]

If the automotive landscape of 2012 is remembered for one thing, it will be that the thrill of driving is alive and kicking.

The point was driven home by Drive's Car of the Year being awarded to the Toyota 86 GT, an unashamedly focused sports car, guaranteed to put a smile on the dial of those lucky enough to find themselves behind its steering wheel.

Anyone who thinks that choosing a sports car as the year's best is elitist should look at the value-for-money equation.
The Toyota 86 GT is Drive's Car of the Year and Best Performance Car Under $60,000 for 2012. Click for more photos
2012 Car of the Year

With a list price of $29,990 the 86 costs less than many mainstream family cars, including the cheapest version of Toyota's own four-cylinder Camry. In a global economy struggling to shake off the GFC blues, the combination of value and hedonistic driving enjoyment cannot be ignored.
Advertisement

Worried that performance cars are the natural enemy of the environment? Not when they're powered by a naturally aspirated (not turbocharged), 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine capable of delivering an official 7.8 litres/100km fuel consumption figure.

The Toyota 86 coupe was, of course, developed in conjunction with Subaru. That company not only supplies the horizontally-opposed engine and builds the car in its own plant but also has the mechanically identical – give or take some minor differences in suspension tuning and tyre size – BRZ.

Given the vast similarities between the 86 and BRZ, the latter was unlucky not to win the award but that's the way our Car of the Year awards work. The pair were both included in the Performance Car Under $60,000 category which the 86 won, largely because it is available at a cheaper price thanks to a reduced standard equipment list on the GT version.

Only a category winner can go on to take the major prize, so the BRZ missed out.

Take it from us though, the Subaru is every bit as thrilling to drive and those who want the BRZ's higher equipment levels, do the sums and buy it will not be disappointed.

The Toyota won its category by scoring heavily in each judging criteria. Its engine might not have the outright horsepower of some performance cars, but it provides the perfect amount to exploit the 86's nimble, rear-drive chassis.

It can be driven quietly and comfortably as a commuter car, albeit one with a stiffer than normal ride. On the track it can be easily provoked into lurid tail slides with its electronic stability control switched off, or remain commendably stable with it left on.

Equipment levels are not luxurious, but are more than adequate given the design goal of a low price and low weight for maximum performance. In terms of practicality, the rear seat is good for short trips (or shorter adults) and the folding rear seat means larger loads than a shallow boot would otherwise tolerate can be accommodated.

Five-star NCAP crash-worthiness indicates a safe structure, as does a full complement of seven airbags.

The Toyota 86 held its own over five days of gruelling driving and judging covering every available road condition.

Every car was taken around a road loop that distilled a wide variety of real-world conditions into something accessible for the judging panel, with its combined total of many decades of road-testing experience.

They included 100km/h highway driving, urban traffic conditions with suburban streets, traffic lights and school zones and pot-holed, low-speed, country roads.

The race track component wasn't just a chance to cut high-speed laps. It gave a safe and controlled environment to explore steering and handling limits, but also included disciplines such as a swerve-and-recover lane change exercise, a slalom between traffic cones and a hard braking stop from 100km/h.

All the time, judges were noting the minute details of each car's equipment levels, comfort, build quality, noise levels and all the other ponderables that determine category and overall winners. From all that, the 86 deserved to come up trumps.

The final vote between category winners to determine the overall winner was not a unanimous win for the 86 GT, however. Mazda's CX-5 received three of the nine judges' votes thanks largely to its brilliant diesel engine, sparkling dynamics and low fuel use.

The other two finalists that were debated heavily were the Kia Sorento SLi and Toyota Camry Hybrid H. Each were standouts and rounded out what was arguably the most impressive quartet of finalists for the coveted overall gong.

The Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI that took out last year's Car of the Year and again won the Best Luxury Car Under $80,000 category in 2012 failed to make it to the final four – just.

Speaking of votes, there were a few interesting statistics to come out of the overall testing. For instance, eight of the category winners were carryover champions from last year, indicating that on the whole, a good car can remain difficult to beat.

The five new category winners were the Kia Sorento, Porsche 911, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Mazda CX-5 and, of course, the Toyota 86.

The Camry Hybrid's win as Best Family Car made it the first hybrid champion, and also meant that along with Volkswagen and Mazda, Toyota had two category winners.

In technical terms, nine of the 13 category winners had four-cylinder engines, nine had turbocharged engines and seven were either diesel or hybrid powered.

The spread of dollar value for the 13 winners could hardly have been greater. They ranged from the $18,990 VW Polo 77TSI to the $262,600 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

And last, the 86 GT was the first Toyota to win the Car of the Year gong in the award's seven-year history, and only the second non-German one at that.

So take a bow Toyota 86. You were the right car at the right time, and an almost perfectly executed sports car at that.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/car-o...=1354090421741

[Buntz]

Can't argue with the 86.

[nstg8a]

But it's too slow....

[flappist]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

But it's too slow....

I was once doing laps at Lakeside in my F6 when I was taught a huge lesson in "too slow".

I had no problem blowing away all the other Falcons and Holdens and was mixing it up with a BMW M3 and 200SX when I saw an old Cortina GT in the rear view.

This was one of the old N/A 4s that were a nice toy in the 1960s but are not even remotely capable of matching a standard falcon let alone a F6 with RE55s, Brembos and track suspension yet I could not shake this bloody Cortina who followed me past various GTs, XRs and SSs.

I pulled up in the pits and the driver of the basically standard Corty jumped out. All became clear.

A great driver in any car is always competitive and I knew then why Craig Lowndes wins at Bathurst, he is BLOODY good.

So next time anyone thinks a car is "too slow" maybe it is just too slow to compensate for any deficiencies in their driving ability.........

P.S. I had previously beaten Lowndsey in a match race. It was go-carts at Tanawa and I lost 5 times but a win is a win......

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

But it's too slow....

...because making cars with more and more powerful engines which can go faster and faster makes perfect sense in todays over-regulated road network...give me a car with adequate power and a sweet chassis that is fun to drive and which makes you work to get the best out of the chassis and the power you have got instead of just relying on power to do everything for you.
The other appeal of the 86...something a lot of makers have forgotten...is that people will buy it and promptly start adding stuff to it. The vast majority of people now buy a "performance model" of their particular make and do nothing to it other than perhaps a set of wheels...they're filled with all sorts of gadgets and toys standard. The 86 is reasonably bare bones...it has power steering, air con, a typically nice Toyota stereo, but it's what it hasn't got that is important. People will be able to take a blank canvas and do with it as they will...just like everyone used to do many years ago.
It was a culture shock for some people to see a car that wasn't advertised as powerful, wasn't advertised solely on the features and toys it includes, but instead was marketed first and foremost as being "fun". Refreshing, to say the least.

The 86 is the perfect choice. I'd have one tomorrow if I was in the market for a smaller car instead of the four wheel drive we are planning on buying early next year.

[The Yeti]

These are The only new car I'd buy I got to say

[DJM83]

Ive never driven one, but i sat in one (My g/f was looking at a corolla) god its a nice place to sit. Nice car IMO.

[Nikked]

If only it had a Escort badge on it...

[DJM83]

Escort revival.....

[Silver Ghia]

So how did the Focus ST go in the category? No mention of it. Carsguide had it a better day to day car than the '86. And tail slides are a no no on the roads.

Mazda's CX-5 received three of the nine judges' votes thanks largely to its brilliant diesel engine, sparkling dynamics and low fuel use.

Forgetting there are a number of unhappy CX-5 diesel owners at present with the oil dilution problem.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

So how did the Focus ST go in the category? No mention of it. Carsguide had it a better day to day car than the '86. And tail slides are a no no on the roads.

Forgetting there are a number of unhappy CX-5 diesel owners at present with the oil dilution problem.

thats exactly what i thought...focus has all the boxes ticked along with performance and front wheel drive thats is not very evasive to hard driving. Weird how such a SLOOOW car takes the gong

[duaned]

Seems like there are reports of cam VVT ( lack of power) issues with these. Not widespread yet, but increasing none the less. There is also a thread on the whirlpool forums on this issue as well.

[nstg8a]

I'm an 86 fan lol, my 'too slow' line was a reference to all the naysayers in the 86 thread that just didn't get what the 86 is all about.

[dimka100]

Anyone who is serious about Jap performance cars would never even consider this ...

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by dimka100

Anyone who is serious about Jap performance cars would never even consider this ...

uh...ok then...


Its not like this car pays homage to atleast 3 of the most liked Japanese cars in past history...or brings back the classic cheap Japanese sports car...


but hey, potatos gona potate...

[dimka100]

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

Originally Posted by Nikked

uh...ok then...
Its not like this car pays homage to atleast 3 of the most liked Japanese cars in past history...or brings back the classic cheap Japanese sports car...
but hey, potatos gona potate...

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by dimka100

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

Lol...


Soarer...what a boat.


genesis of the modern 86.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by dimka100

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

so just about every respected journo in the world is wrong?
just about everyone who has driven the car is wrong?
All victims of a Toyota marketing hype? Please...

How much was a twin turbo supra new? how much is a 86 new?
sure it may lack a little low end grunt but certainly makes up for it in handling and chassis finesse.
Hell Toyota even used the Cayman/Boxster as a benchmark. You can even see it throughout the car. The guys that built and engineered the car are enthusiasts, the head oF Toyota is a racer himself and signed off on it.

I'm no Toyota fan but even I can see how good the '86 is as a sports car, even a base to modification platform.

to label as a hype shows ignorance at it's worst.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by dimka100

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

Originally Posted by mickbundy

Think you maybe a bit mixed up. This was never intended to be a performance car , just a bit of fun to bring something different to the people. A project between Subaru and Toyota. They are not my cup of tea but look like a great car,that a lot of people will get enjoyment out of

Let me clarify. The 86 is not a performance car. It is a sports car. There is a difference.

[NeoLokie]

Originally Posted by Buntz

Let me clarify. The 86 is not a performance car. It is a sports car. There is a difference.

Pretty much what I was going to say. Supra's and Soarers, great GT cars, not sports cars though. they're too fat :-)

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by dimka100

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

Hahah yeah the Soarer is a real performance car. Full of substance.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Hahah yeah the Soarer is a real performance car. Full of substance.

Hmm, me thinks those bagging the Soarer haven't driven one, nor seen one at the drags. The turboed six was a rocket - it remains the easiest way to build an 11sec car for the street for under ten grand....

Now all the GT needs to do is win Wheels Car of the Year so it can join such illustrious company as the P76, Camira and last years winner, a Honda Hybrid....

[RG]

Originally Posted by dimka100

So Toyota spending huge on all the hype and marketing and suddenly it makes the 86 a good car???

I love Jap performance cars.
Mate I owned the last performance Toyotas from the 90s, a twin turbo 92 Soarer and a twin turbo 94 Supra, and let me tell you this 86 is nothing more than lots and lots of hype and no actual substance ...

No what you owned were 3 boats with very, very good engines. Still boats though.

86 looks a good thing and would definitely be the right car for anyone after a small 2 door that's a ton of fun.

[mickbundy]

Originally Posted by dimka100

Anyone who is serious about Jap performance cars would never even consider this ...

Think you maybe a bit mixed up. This was never intended to be a performance car , just a bit of fun to bring something different to the people. A project between Subaru and Toyota. They are not my cup of tea but look like a great car,that a lot of people will get enjoyment out of

[Bossxr8]

Drive Car of the Year, what a prestigious award

[csv8]

Nikked http://www.topspeed.com/cars/toyota/...t-ar10869.html

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by csv8

Nikked http://www.topspeed.com/cars/toyota/...t-ar10869.html

Couldn't get it to display as a pic :-/


Nice pic's there.

[Ben73]

Not the type of car I would own at this point in time, but I wish my GF would get one, She likes small Toyotas. Perhaps if she got an 86 I would actually like driving her car.

It would still have to be the most interesting Jap car on the market today.
Imprezzas and Evos are boring imo.

[Moby Vic]

It's the Scion FR-S here. I sat in one over the weekend. It's very cramped, and the front seats touch the bases of the rear seats--only legless passengers can ride in the rear.

I'm sure it's a fun car, but you can buy a V6 Mustang with much more power for the same price here (live axle and all!).

Motor Trend here just named a Tesla electric car as Car of the Year.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

It's the Scion FR-S here. I sat in one over the weekend. It's very cramped, and the front seats touch the bases of the rear seats--only legless passengers can ride in the rear.

I'm sure it's a fun car, but you can buy a V6 Mustang with much more power for the same price here (live axle and all!).

Motor Trend here just named a Fisker electric car as Car of the Year.

You mean Tesla right?