I’m of the agency perception that if everybody drove a Toyota GR86 Hakone Version, the world can be a greater place. It’s rattling close to inconceivable to drive this automotive with out it pasting a smile throughout your face, and even after you’re finished driving it simply seems to be so rattling good you’re compelled to maintain peeking over your shoulder as you stroll away to get one other look. OK, so it doesn’t must be the Hakone Version, however the unique Ridge Inexperienced with matte bronze wheels is well worth the worth premium. I acquired a chance to check it on observe at Charlotte Motor Speedway for a couple of dozen laps, and it was a beautiful expertise.
Full disclosure: Toyota flew me to Charlotte, North Carolina for a day with the up to date GR Corolla, and a tour of the corporate’s racing amenities within the area. They equipped me with a pleasant lodge room and a few good meals. There occurred to be one GR86 Hakone Version there, and I acquired a bunch of time in that automotive, too.
Every thing that comes commonplace within the Hakone, bar the colour combo, might be had in a GR86 Premium with the non-obligatory efficiency bundle. That bundle provides bigger Brembo brake calipers and a particular Tuned By Sachs damper setup. I didn’t get a chance to check a automotive with out the efficiency bundle, however judging by the automotive’s on-track mannerisms, it looks like a worthy improve. Hell, that bundle is price it only for the aesthetic improve of purple Brembo calipers alone.
On the identical day on the identical observe I used to be going back-to-back between the GR Corolla and the GR86. My largest takeaway was that, whereas the Corolla was extra highly effective and doubtless a bit extra helpful in the true world, the 86 was a extra pleasing expertise on the road and the observe. In principally each state of affairs, I’d somewhat have the low-slung sports activities coupe than the upright scorching hatch, even with a 72 horsepower deficit. Within the 2024 new automotive market, the GR86 is a breath of recent air. It’s fairly reasonably priced, accessible, and enjoyable to drive, and, in contrast to its Mazda Miata competitor, I truly match inside at 6-foot-2. Throwing a helmet on eliminates all headroom, however I may nonetheless handle the shoulder scrunch slouch for a 20-minute observe session if I wanted to.
Hopping aboard for an abbreviated lap of the Charlotte Motor Speedway course, I used to be handled to a delightfully rev-happy engine and a agency clutch. It’s been stated many instances earlier than, however as somebody who has owned greater than their fair proportion of Porsche 944s, this automotive is strictly what a contemporary one would really feel like. The 86 is partaking and playful in a confidence-inspiring method, whereas the GR Corolla’s propensity to step out the again finish whereas path braking felt just a little uneven and never simply repeatable lap to lap.
As a reminder, or in case you didn’t learn my GR Corolla observe evaluation, Toyota closed off the entrance straight of the oval and compelled everybody to return to start out end by slowly traversing the pit lane after two-thirds of a lap. The observe felt like a extremely huge autocross with some quick sweepers and quick straights, however the true enjoyable was out on the banked oval and quick again straight. The course was set as much as exhibit the GR Corolla’s strengths in slow-speed tossability and off-corner acceleration, which in flip makes it much less GR86-friendly. The horsepower deficit between the 2 was very noticeable popping out onto the banking, because the 86 didn’t shoot up the banking just like the GRolla did.
Boy, the GR Corolla drivetrain in a GR86 can be an unimaginable mixture. Somebody ought to construct that.
In case you can dwell with out heated-and-leather-accented suede seats and premium audio, and the colour isn’t a dealbreaker, purchase the bottom mannequin GR86 with the $2,020 non-obligatory efficiency bundle to get precisely the identical driving expertise for a couple of grand much less. The GR86 Hakone Version will run you $36,405 together with vacation spot. Go for a black wheels and one of many included paint colours (my favourite is Trueno Blue) and you may seize a base mannequin with the Brembos and Sachs dampers for $33,065. Hell, I could have to try this myself.
