Out of 39 cars judged this year in 13 categories, Toyota 86 GT takes the Drive.com.au award (Best Performance Car under $60K) and in the process the car was the first Toyota to win the Drive Car of the Year gong in the award’s seven-year history according to SMH. Well done to Toyota and Subaru for teaming up to deliver such an outstanding car this year. Find out what we think of this news, here.
SMH report in brief:
The Toyota won its category by scoring heavily in each judging criteria. Its engine might not have the outright horsepower of some performance cars, but it provides the perfect amount to exploit the 86′s nimble, rear-drive chassis.
The Toyota 86 can be driven quietly and comfortably as a commuter car, albeit one with a stiffer than normal ride. On the track it can be easily provoked into lurid tail slides with its electronic stability control switched off, or remain commendably stable with it left on.
Equipment levels are not luxurious, but are more than adequate given the design goal of a low price and low weight for maximum performance. In terms of practicality, the rear seat is good for short trips (or shorter adults) and the folding rear seat means larger loads than a shallow boot would otherwise tolerate can be accommodated.
Five-star NCAP crash-worthiness indicates a safe structure, as does a full complement of seven airbags.
The Toyota 86 held its own over five days of gruelling driving and judging covering every available road condition.
The rest of the article can be read at this location.
Related posts:
- GT86.com.au part of Australian Toyota 86 Google+ Hangout with Lead Engineer Tada-San!
- Toyota 86 (GT86) is a Toy wonder from Japan
- Toyota 86 Australian Media Launch Booklet
- Toyota 86 Australian Media Launch Review (Detailed – Lots of Pics and Videos)
- Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ win Carsales People’s Choice Award for best sports car under 100K