Toyota to launch GT 86

Toyota’s latest foray into the world of sports cars, the GT 86, was on display at the Geneva Motor Show ahead of it hitting show rooms in summer, priced from £24,955.

After Celica and MR-2 production ended, a hole was left in Toyota’s line-up so it partnered with Subaru to develop this model. Rather than use an existing chassis, the GT 86 is built on a new platform and has been designed as a driver focussed car with a light kerbweight, free-revving engine and responsive steering. Instead of a large capacity or turbocharged engine, Toyota has gone for naturally aspirated engine. The 2.0-litre develops 197bhp at 7000rpm with maximum torque of 205Nm to 6600rpm.

Suspension consists of Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. It's fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard while a six-speed automatic is an option. The GT 86 also gets a limited slip differential to give the best possible grip while the stability control system can be set to intervene later during more dynamic driving.

The cabin is driver focussed, with a small, buckskin wrapped steering wheel, developed specifically to offer the best grip, and three dials centred on a large rev counter. Red stitching and carbon-fibre effect trim completes the sporty styling.