Friday 16th September 2016

Facelifted GT86 specs and prices

A fresh look inside and out, retuned dynamics and new trim levels too - here's all you need to know!

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This new Toyota GT86 is not the update to convince the naysayers of its merits. Despite this being the most significant overhaul since its 2011 introduction, it still has 200hp (thought we'd get that in first), it won't rival the Germans for perceived interior quality and the price isn't any lower. Should those remain stumbling blocks for you, best not read on any further.

Ooh look, new wheels as well

However, for those drivers who are GT86 fans, there's plenty to be encouraged by in this facelift. The chassis has been a focal point, project head Tetsuya Tada saying that improving responsiveness was important: "on and off acceleration, turning in and turning out, and the speed and naturalness of its reactions." To that end the aero has been revised too, that new front end and side fins said to improve airflow. Chassis changes underneath include tweaked dampers and additional spot welds to boost stiffness.

With the powertrain untouched - you can even still have the auto if you want - attention turns to the interior, described by Toyota as now "offering a more connected feel between driver and car." The 362mm wheel is the smallest ever fitted to a production Toyota, now also with radio controls and a more prominent '86' logo. Note as well the new 4.2-inch digital dash display that incorporates the trip computer plus more interesting information like a G-meter and a stopwatch. That display sits to the right of the tacho, redesigned for this model so that 7,000rpm - where that 2.0-litre boxer makes peak power - is now at the top of the dial. Don't you love nerdy details like that?

While the original GT86 range expanded to include models like the Aero, the Giallo and the TRD, the revised lineup is far simpler. For now. You can have a GT86 (with Toyota Touch 2 infotainment, push-button start and LED lights) or a GT86 Pro (adding the spoiler, heated front seats and a leather/Alcantara upholstery combo) with either a manual or automatic gearbox. That's it. The GT86 starts at £25,945 for the manual, the Pro available for £1,150 more at £27,095. The automatic models are £27,495 and £28,695, with all models going on sale in October. Perhaps best of all, it should mean easier deals on the outgoing car; this 16-plate '86 is at a Toyota dealer in Chesterfield with less than 2,500 miles for £21K. Try one before everything is turbocharged and front-wheel drive!

[Bencolem]

Think the new 'dash design' is a little compromised - that digital display panel in the circular bezel looks a real mess

[anonymous-user]

Im sorry but for a car to look that sleek and sporty... And then to install a 2.0L flat 4 with no turbo and 200bhp...whats the point in owning one?

[PomBstard]

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Im sorry but for a car to look that sleek and sporty... And then to install a 2.0L flat 4 with no turbo and 200bhp...whats the point in owning one?

To ask that question is to miss the point of this car

[court]

Bencolem said:

Think the new 'dash design' is a little compromised - that digital display panel in the circular bezel looks a real mess

Similar in recent BMW 1er and 3ers



I see the 80's LCD calculator clock is still there, phew.

[kambites]

I can't help but feel it looked better before the facelift. Still remains one of my favourite cars on the market, though.

[GTIAlex]

Needs more power.

[matpilch]

thank god they've changed the wheels, the original design was awful
buttons on the steering wheel is a no-no and a big surprise

[Bennet]

PomBstard said:

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Im sorry but for a car to look that sleek and sporty... And then to install a 2.0L flat 4 with no turbo and 200bhp...whats the point in owning one?

To ask that question is to miss the point of this car

Incredible that people are still having this conversation five years on.

[em177]

My MY13 version is still the most fun car to drive on UK roads I've ever driven.

[culpz]

They've changed even less than the Germans do on their face-lift models and that's really saying something!

[RemarkLima]

matpilch said:

thank god they've changed the wheels, the original design was awful
buttons on the steering wheel is a no-no and a big surprise

Absolutely, those wheels look so much better! The original wheels have to be one of the worst points of the old car IMHO.

[Smokey32]

kambites said:

I can't help but feel it looked better before the facelift. Still remains one of my favourite cars on the market, though.

I like em too, but would never wanna buy 1.

[Pommygranite]

Bennet said:

PomBstard said:

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Im sorry but for a car to look that sleek and sporty... And then to install a 2.0L flat 4 with no turbo and 200bhp...whats the point in owning one?

To ask that question is to miss the point of this car

Incredible that people are still having this conversation five years on.

Incredible that Toyota haven't upped the power sufficiently 5 years on.

[LordGrover]

I think I may be in the market for one of these. It'll be interesting to know if the chassis improvements can be felt by a 'normal' driver.

[LordGrover]

A slightly clearer image:

[KuroKeeper]

Bennet said:

PomBstard said:

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Im sorry but for a car to look that sleek and sporty... And then to install a 2.0L flat 4 with no turbo and 200bhp...whats the point in owning one?

To ask that question is to miss the point of this car

Incredible that people are still having this conversation five years on.

Some debates shall rage on forever on PH!

[ian2144]

The power whingers are at it again.......the GT 86 is fine as it is, for me anyway. I prefer the earlier style dash, Not a lo of other changes going on, tells you they weren't far of with the original version.

[Tuvra]

RemarkLima said:

Absolutely, those wheels look so much better! The original wheels have to be one of the worst points of the old car IMHO.

I think the new ones are just as bad tbh, the old wheels wern't that bad, just looked st in standard "two colour" form, painted one colour they are not a bad looking wheel:-

[IAJO]

The changes do not seem all that much to write home about, new wheels, revised damper settings and a reshaped front bumper.

Considering this car always seemed to be moving in a complete different direction to the majority such as not using forced induction, coupe shape, 2 door, RWD, focus on being a fun steer, reasonably lightweight, not many options in the catalogue, it should probably have been a disaster and yet they are still building them 5 years later.

Wonder if it will make any other manufacturers stop and think, abandoning the numbers game where higher is better and offering something a little more basic and fun, after all the similar but different MX5 still going strong too.

Edited by IAJO on Friday 16th September 14:40

[matpilch]

LordGrover said:

A slightly clearer image:

I quite like that