GT86

The GT86 is a rear‑wheel‑drive compact sports car developed through a joint program by Toyota and Subaru, designed to deliver engaging handling with affordable performance. It was launched in 2012 in many markets as the Toyota GT86, while in North America the same car was marketed as the Scion FR‑S until Scion’s discontinuation in 2016, after which it became the Toyota 86. In Subaru form, the sibling model is the BRZ.

The GT86 stems from the Toyota FT‑86 concept and shares a platform with the Subaru BRZ. It is powered by a 2.0‑liter horizontally opposed four‑cylinder engine from Subaru’s FA family, producing about 197 horsepower and 151 lb‑ft of torque. A six‑speed manual transmission is standard, with a six‑speed automatic option. The car is relatively light for its class, with a curb weight around 1,270–1,300 kg, aiding agility and handling feel.

Performance figures place 0–60 mph in roughly 6.0–7.0 seconds, with a top speed near 140 mph depending on configuration and market. The driving experience emphasizes balance, precise steering, and a communicative chassis, compensating for comparatively modest peak power. Various trim levels and handling packages offered enhanced features such as improved suspension, differential tuning, and interior upgrades.

Market reception generally praised the GT86 for its steering, chassis balance, and affordable sportiness, while criticisms focused on power output and interior quality by some standards. The model established a niche for affordable, driver‑focused RWD sports cars and formed the basis for Toyota’s subsequent GR86, which introduced a larger 2.4‑liter engine and greater performance.

The GT86 lineage continues through the GR86, introduced in the early 2020s with a 2.4‑liter engine producing about 228 horsepower, marking the next evolution of the same performance philosophy.