Toyota GR86

One of Toyota’s highly-sought-after performance models, in its latest generation, the new Toyota GR86, launched and upgraded in Malaysia.

A counterpart to the Subaru BRZ, the two-door sports car (fastback coupe) comes in two different transmission options (automatic, manual).

Fully-imported (CBU - Japan), available via UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) are two variants (GR86 M/T - MYR 295,000, GR86 A/T - MYR 305,000).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include a standard UMWT vehicle warranty (five years, unlimited-mileage).

Four exterior colours (Ignition Red, Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Magnetic Gray Metallic).

The new GR86 has a sportily-modern cockpit, featuring a symmetrically-tiered dashboard, linked to a low-rising centre console.

Hard-touched, it sees a single-tone (Black) colour scheme with contrast trims/stitching (Smoke Silver - dash, centre console/Red - steering wheel, centre console).

Filling-up the space are driver/central displays (instrument cluster, infotainment), rounded/angular air-con vents (sides/centre), and sport pedals (Aluminium).

Inclusively, the layout is well-designed and non-cluttered. Ergonomically-arranged with easy reachability (driver-oriented, user-friendly).

A GR instrument cluster, fitted is a 7.0-Inch Colour Thin-Film Transistor (TFT), with LCD Multi-Information Display (MID).

The setup comes with an exclusive GR start-up animation, drive-mode-dependent layouts, and other driving functions.

Sportily-comfortable, the interior sees leather-Ultrasuede (Black) upholstery with contrast stitching (Red) and GR embroidery (Black-Red - front headrests).

The front gets manual-operated (driver-six-way, passenger-four-way) GR semi-bucket seats. The rear gets manual-operated (split-fold) bolstered seats.

Included are armrest (front - centre console), GR floor mats (GR logos), and a fabric headliner (Black).

The four-seater sports coupe offers adequate cabin space, providing enough interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear).

Sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room.

Mounted is a three-spoke-rounded GR steering wheel, wrapped in leather (Black) with contrast trims/stitching (Smoke Silver/Red) and GR emblem (Black-Red-Chrome - bottom-spoke).

Features are multi-function (Audio, MID, Telephone, Adaptive Cruise Control - ACC), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and paddle shifters (GR86 A/T).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Provided are two cup holders (two - front), and two bottle holders (one - side doors).

Weighing in at 1,291 KG (GR86 M/T), 1,312 KG (GR86 A/T), the new GR86 measures at 4,265 MM long, 1,775 MM wide, 1,310 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,575 MM.

Aerodynamically-sporty, its exterior exudes an athletically-low-slung stance, emphasised by sharply-rounded contours.

The front-end sees a clean-cut bonnet, roundly-flared quarter panels (vented), and a sculpted-bumper (‘Functional Matrix’ grille - G-mesh insert, functional air-vents - L-shaped).

Accentuations, body trimmings (Black - grille, vents, side mirrors, side window surrounds), and Toyota/GR emblems (Black-Chrome/Black-Red-Chrome). 

Widely-toned, it continues the athletically-planted profile, emphasised by cleanly-formed and symmetrically-aligned surfaces.

The rear-end sees a fastback coupe roofline, a duckbill spoiler (boot-lid formed), an upright tailgate, roundly-flared quarter panels, and a sculpted-bumper (diffuser, dual-exhaust).

Accentuations, body trimmings (Black - diffuser, side window surrounds/body-colour – shark-fin antenna/Chrome - exhausts), and Toyota/GR emblems (Black-Chrome/Black-Red-Chrome).

Sharply-rounded, the headlamps are framed inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are Bi-LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Automatic High Beam (AHB), manual levelling, welcome lights, and sequential turn signals (LED).

Largely-angular, the smoked-out (Black tint) tail lamps are framed wrapped-around with protruding pointed edges. Installed are LED combination units.

Features are automatic On/Off, and sequential turn signals (LED). Paired to the layout is a set of stop lights (top - spoiler integrated, bottom - centre diffuser integrated).

Gripping it to the tarmac is a set of 18-Inch 10-spoke (single-tone - Matte-Black) alloy rims, wrapped in 215/40 R18 (front, rear) Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Provided are three standard drive modes (NORMAL, SPORT, SNOW, TRACK).

Installed is an 8.0-Inch touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), live navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

Installed is a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission with a short-throw shifter (GR86 M/T), and a six-speed Super ECT (Electronically-Controlled Transmission) automatic transmission with paddle shifters (GR86 A/T).

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system. Incorporated is a Torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD - rear axle).

The new Toyota GR86 is a total driver car, with every aspect of its build inside and out, focused on performance. 

Aesthetically, it also comes bearing a sleekly sporty and modern design inside and out, boasting premium craftsmanship. 

Performance-oriented, check. Head-turning design, check. Ultimately, it is a well-built performance-oriented vehicle drivers should consider owning.