Toyota 86. Don’t believe the hype. It’s that good. Dubai

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It’s the third aspect that will drive people to change the car for the worse. Our test car is clad in Yokohama Decibels – the kind of tyre engineered for economy and quiet running. Not for a sports car.

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I spent some time chatting with soon-to-be-86-owner Jon Simmonds from MSW Dubai after the drive, and both of us reckon that modifying the 86 is going to be a balancing act. Get it right, and the smiles will continue to grow. Get it wrong – fit some 19s on sticky rubber – and owners will be understeering into the sand. Keeping that fine balance that manufacturers spend millions of dollars refining has never been so important.

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Ultimate pace and lap times are not on the agenda with the Toyota 86, and won’t be until more power is thrown at the car. No, this car is all about is the smile factor. Run that favorite stretch of road, watch your friends in faster machines disappear into the distance, but meet them at the end giggling like a schoolgirl. That’s the 86’s appeal, and interested parties are going to have to understand that to ever really appreciate the car.

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Yes, it’s nice to boast to your mates and post pics on Facebook of you hustling your boosted and super-planted car on the track, but in the 86 you’re learning the dynamics of a delicate RWD machine and smiling the whole way. It’s real driving.

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As we cruised back to Dubai, I was still having difficulty coming to a true conclusion. Am I pragmatic enough to ‘get’ it? Is the power output, or lack thereof, really significant? Does it really matter? Honestly, off the top of my head I can’t think of any car that handles more sweetly than this and even with the power deficit, it was still an utter hoot. Yes, you have to remove all those preconceptions and beliefs you’ve had drilled into your head, and get back to what driving is all about. Fun.

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In that regard, the 86 nails it. If you’ve bought one, or are considering one, just tread carefully when you come to modifying it and never forget that just because your mate has disappeared off down the road, that doesn’t mean he’s having more fun than you.

Overall then? A corker of a car that for the money is utterly superb, but one that you will have to learn appreciate.

Toyota 86
Engine: Boxer 4 cylinder DOHC / naturally Aspirated / 1998cc
Power: 200bhp @ 7000rpm
Torque: 151lb ft @ 6600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual /  rear-wheel drive / limited slip differential rear
Front suspension: Independent / MacPherson struts
Rear suspension: Independent / upper and lower wishbones / coil springs / ball-joint mounted anti-roll bar
Brakes: Ventilated discs (front) / solid discs (rear)
Wheels: 16in front and rear
Tyres: 205/55 R16
Weight (kerb) 1210kg
0-100kph: 6.8sec
Top speed: 245kph
Basic Price: AED 95-125,000

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Categories: Road

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  2. Steve Smuts

    What about those people that want a manual full option 86? Isn’t it true that only the base model comes with an MT?

    • Phil McGovern

      Unsure at the moment Steve, however if there is very little demand for the full option manual, we can understand the dealer not bringing them in for stock. We are sure you could go and place an order for one though.

    • Phil McGovern

      We will upload the press shots into a separate gallery. Nothing from our side as it wasn’t really an event that favoured us taking pics.

      Hopefully, if we pull off our next article on the car, you’ll see plenty of Yas activity.

  4. YAS2000

    We need to see pictures of the Toyota GT 86 on the Formula 1 Track @ YAS Marina Circuit going side ways . i Just love seeing drifting on that beautiful F1 race track on YAS Island.

  5. Tom

    Have to agree with the post and Michael’s comments. The 86 is a nice little ‘learner’ car to get people into the real wheel drive mindset. Biggest issue for me is the over styling – those rear lights look cheap, the exhausts are tiny, and the fog light and rear diffuser are horrid. Clean up the back end and overall it would be very nice.

  6. Michael

    Its a fun little car….. it’s a bit of a “my first car was a Toyota 86, and it was great fun” kind of thing. I’d have loved one when I was 18 or 19, as it makes for a great entry level “sporty” car. Closing thoughts; modify for looks and not performance!