Lauren

The new kouki GT86 is out. Kouki? Let me explain, the GT86, just like it's spiritual daddy, the AE86 now has an early and late model with the arrival of the revised car. These have always been called 'Zenki' (Japanese for early) and 'Kouki', which means late). I own a kouki AE86 and a zenki GT86. Got it? We've all seen pictures of the new model and I know that a number of us have seen it in the flesh and the feedback has been somewhat mixed. The changes to the revised model are numerous and more than skin deep. There are the obvious changes styling wise of which more later, but there are also a number of points in the chassis that have been reinforced as well as strengthening to the engine block. The main mechanicals for the European market in respect of engine power and final drive have not been changed. I always felt that the old car was stiff in it's chassis rigidity, but Toyota have focused on reinforcing the front suspension towers, a thicker reinforcement to the transmision mounting bracket, additional spot welds in the rear wheel arches and a thicker rear panel. The rear anti-roll bar has also seen an increase in diameter. Toyota along with friend of the club and chief engineer Tetsuya Tada talk of increased aerodynamic performance too. The often divisive opinions in regard to the new shark like front end of the kouki GT86 are there to increase air flow. This is also evident with the rear diffuser set at a 45 degree angle to aid airflow with the new rear spoiler creating a downforce 'effect' to help stability at speed. Tada San was very keen on the changes only being there to optimise handling and stability. 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Here we can see the new rear lights and spoiler, I know that the zenki rear lights have been the subject of much debate, but I think most are liking the new style of lights, even though it's lost it's nod to the 2000GT: 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Here you can see the new diffuser: 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr The kouki GT86 now gets some new wheels too, though they are quite similar in theme to the older style wheels I think and I do wonder if Toyota could have been a bit more exciting, with their wheel options here. 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Much has been said about the interior differences with a new dash layout and a perceived improvement in quality of the feel of being in the car. This is important I think, because if there is one thing that I have always found to be a dissappointment, it's the relative cheap feel to a lot of the plastics used. I may indeed be something of a weirdo, but tactile feel and the perceived quality of such things are important to me. Yes, I do like to touch car interiors and test the finish and fit! Whilst padded plastics on the door panels and centre console would improve the ambience for me, these are still omitted. However, the change to suede for the door and dash coverings does lift the interior a bit. The seats also look a bit nicer with their perforated alcantara and nice clean stitching, add a lift and go someway into giving the car a more premium feel. 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr I must admit, I really like the new dash with it's new configurable screen that gives us a number of options to look at. The rev counter is repositioned too with peak power being at the top, it has been rotated slightly anti-clockwise which allows the multi-function display screen on the dash to fit. Here is what I call the default display which people will use. The best thing about it, is it finally has oil temperature which is a brilliant and essential addition at least in my eyes, note it has hill start assist and that I have set it in track mode: 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr It's at this point that I realise that I didn't take a picture of the new steering wheel with it's multifunction buttons that control the display which can let you select a variety of options from lap timing to G-force and also a display that shows the power output as the revs rise. Here's the power output one: 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr In all honesty, I found these to be more of a distraction than helpful whilst driving, so I tended to use the display with the temperatures. I should add the new steering wheel is a little thinner and also slightly smaller than the old one. It has a nice feel and is more comfortable. The steering wheel buttons don't get in the way, so I can't see a downside to that. But, I hear you ask, what is it like to drive? Initial impressions on a 6C morning in Macclesfield heading up on my usual test route (the 'Lauren Triangle') takes a nice easy drive out of Macclesfield on the A534, warming the fluids, before heading up the A54 at Boseley and then down the infamous A537 Cat and Fiddle. The first thing that struck me was how the car feels in terms of build quality. It's that little bit quieter and I wonder if the chassis reinforcements have helped a bit with this. The spring rates have now been softened a little, though the car still rides much like the old stock car did before. There is still that perceptible 'bobbling' of the dampers not feeling settled at 20-30mph, though things improve after that and the ride feels well resolved. The immediate impression was that the new car was a little more refined with a bit less road noise and being able to give the kind of ride that a non-enthusiast would be quite happy with. So the car will have a broader appeal here and as a daily driver proposition it will be just a little easier to live with. Small changes, but they all count. Richard at RRG Toyota Macclesfield, likes to play with his demonstrators a little, so no GT86 demonstrator would be complete without an aftermarket exhaust and an induction kit. Richard likes to try different options on all his demonstrators. This one has a secondary decat with a Cobra unresonated exhaust and a rather nice Takeda carbon fibre induction kit. Not a cheap option at around £600, but it does look rather good! 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr As we edge out of Macclesfield and the car warms up, I find myself in familiar terrritory. The new car doesn't feel that different to the old when you go round a corner, I was worried that it would understeer with the reduction in spring rates, though perhaps the thicker rear anti-roll bar evens this out. The balance of the car does not feel much different. We take the familiar left turn up the A54 at Boseley, which will see us head up a nice winding road right up the the top at the Cat and Fiddle. This is my first opportunity to open the car up. I should add it's cold and the conditions are wet and greasy. I keep reminding myself I am on the Primacy tyre! I opted to drive in simply 'Track' mode as I drive my car in VSC Sport mode in these conditions and I really wanted to see if it allowed more slip with the revisions to the stability control system. Out of the first little left right sequence of bends, I get on the power early in second gear. A quick correction is needed, but it's easy and familiar territory, no surprises there then. No intervention from the stability control either. As we head up into the Peak District a Golf GTI ahead wants to play, but I'm trying to review a car here, so I do my best to hold back, I already know he doesn't provide much of a challenge, so I keep to the task in hand. This car seems to ride bumps better than my car dropped on it's coilovers and pot holes become less of a concern. The lower spring rates though and damping, don't quite keep the new car as tied down as mine. But it's good and as we head into the fog much to my frustration, I think about how it feels at cruising speeds. You know the scenario, no opportunity to go fast, but just cruising along with the plodders. It feels good, it's quieter, though that induction kit sounds good and particularly so at 7000rpm and above. Nice. Exhaust is a personal preference of course, but I didn't quite get on with the tone of the Cobra. It's loud. Richard loves it though! As we near the top of the A54, I feel like traffic has got in the way, so we hope for a clearer run down the Cat and Fiddle. It's worth noting that driving this road is always better on the downhill. It always reminds me of Initial D in that respect! On the Cat and Fiddle: 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr And so it begins, passing the still boarded up pub at the top and straight into 'Moisties' and into the banked right of 'Balcony' (yes all the bends are named). The fog has gone, but the roads are greasy and I'm still on Primacy tyres. I opt to take the soft option of playing in the lower gears as I don't want to fully test the lateral grip of Primacy tyres in these conditions. As I exit the first few hairpins, with a clear road, I can begin to get into something of a rhythm, I push the car wide on the exit and grab a good quarter turn of opposite lock, just to nudge where the stability control will intervene. Sure enough the dash lights are flashing, but it seems to allow a bit more slip and doesn't cut in as harshly as VSC Sport mode. In my older car, in these conditions, I would probably opt to turn everthing off to allow some more slip, though losing the safety net of stability control. This doesn't seem necessary in the new car though as it allows a bit more angle. The car is easy to control with power oversteer and the diff hooks up just like it always does. Reassuring and I feel like I'm beginning to find some grip in the Primacy tyres. My confidence improves, I'm not feeling any understeer though, but I'm not pushing into the corners as it's just not worth it given the tricky conditions. The new car plays just like the old car does, as I focus on getting feel out of steering and chassis. I've always felt that the Primacy tyre is a bit 'glassy' in feel and that they don't offer much bite on turn in, but the chassis of this car is good enough that you can still delve into the layers of feel. Typically for me, it takes me to get a third of the way down the 'Cat and then I get into the zone, I can put the car where I want, I know every minutae of detail of every corner of this road and I know where I can take liberties and where it's best avoided. I approach my favourite corner, a downhill right hander that goes up on the exit, the road is clear and I can use it all. Brilliant, I admit I would charge it harder in my car, but this car feels so good, my confidence is there immediately. Whilst I can feel the familiar hole in the torque curve of a stock car (a remap makes a big difference here), it's a not an issue where engine speeds are kept high. As we pull over for some pics, I note that the oil temperature is around 115C. I do think an oil cooler is a good idea if I can achieve these kind of temperatures on the public road in such slippery conditions. I like the feel of the new steering wheel, it is an obvious improvement over the previous car, the buttons on the wheel not interfering at all. I try at this point to look at the g-force meter and the power readings on the display, but I honestly think they become more of a distraction when driving and I didn't want to try and find 1G on the reading today! 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr So, it's all good. I can't see a downside to the new model. Some will talk about the styling not being to their taste, but such things grow on you in my experience. The car overall is a little bit nicer inside and I love the new dash with it's oil temperature display. A bit more refinement is no bad thing. The chassis does not feel markedly different. I couldn't really tell today and maybe a dry road in better temperatures would reveal more, what the chassis reinforcements mean, but the car felt stiff and accurate, placing it where I wanted it was no issue. Here's the bonus, a spare wheel! 2017 GT86 Review Feb 17 by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr When I got back to RRG Macclesfield, Miles had kindly put my name on the white one in the showroom! It's very tempting, I admit! As I get into my car, a modified 2013 GT86, I note that the steering feels heavier and the car feels glued to the tarmac, with a greater precision and even more feel. More hardcore yes, but that's why I like it and that's why I modify my cars. I reckon the new one would be just to my liking with the same kind of mods. There's a white one in the showroom, but it's got my name on it.

I think it's only fair enough that they do the repair, that's what I would expect. I would expect them to give you a courtesy car whilst your car is with them. They've got a log of what was done previously which sounds pretty minor really. But I wouldn't expect them to pay to get it repaired locally.

I have no problem with the clock. Doesn't pretty much every car have a digital clock? Even if it's in the dash display. It ain't broke, seems to work just fine.

I think it can be, but really there are always compromises to make. I've ran my Tein Streetflex with custom spring rates and damping for over 70K miles. I also have the EDFC Active Pro. It rides pretty well. Potholes are best avoided, but the ride is generally good unless you're on dire badly surfaced residential streets. My car is lowered too, so I have to be careful over speed humps, particularly those square type ones. I spend most of my working life driving around poorly surfaced residential streets with mountainous speed humps. I just drive very slowly. But even when the car was stock, though it cleared square speed humps it was still pretty harsh over a poorly surfaced falling apart road. But things improve considerably on okay roads. The ride is better resolved and the handling is much improved. It's nearly win, win, but not quite win, win, win. Two out of three isn't bad I suppose. You make your choices. Don't forget the ST's are really at the budget end, so there is a bit of you get what you pay for. Pay more, you get better of course. Most run the Flex A's and are happy with them. Mine is the earlier version so it lacks the hydro bump stops.

You bought the car sold as seen, so you won't have grounds for rejecting the car, at least that's how I see it. It doensn't look anything more than minor, but take it there explain that you have just noticed this and see what they say. It's all you can do really. And keep cool.

Well, you're reliant on their goodwill. But they should have details of any blemishes or damage to the car as after all they would have inspected it fully.

I haven't got the best ears, but it sounds totally normal to me.

Just take it to the dealer. If they have sold it to you like that, then I would expect them to repair it for you. How come you didn't notice it when you were buying the car?

The trouble is, if your damper bodies pre-load the spring and that is your ride height combined lowering will shorten the available damper stroke. This is true of the Tein Street Advance and some of the others, I'm guessing it's the case with the ST's. However other coilovers can adjust the ride height independently of the damper stroke, so they will fair better. The Flex A and Flex Z and the earlier Flex that I have are like this.

The surround around the head unit, is a bit fussy. That padded panel doesn't look as nice as the GT86 suede effect. It's odd how Subaru just don't seem to make any effort with it.

Yeah, spoke to Richard and he got the info from Jamie at Deeside where the engines are built.

I think I must be one of the few that doesn't want one. Though I don't use the centre console for drinks (door bin is better for my coffee), I do like to have my sunglasses and vapouriser to hand in the centre console, so I've never wanted the armrest. It looks nice, but I'm not sure it's practical for me at least.

Probably better to use Flickr et al., for hosting images and post the link in here.

We've not had many in this situation. But unless you change the ECU they will be able to get access to your car. Unless the ECU can be re-programmed, which you would think should be possible? It still won't be cheap though.

I've driven the Sprintex, HKS and two or three AVO turbos one of them which was an auto. Of the two AVO turbos one was a 280bhp the other one was a 'stage 3' with over 300bhp (though without a rolling road it's anyone's guess) , which was guesstimated at 330bhp, though I suspect it was less. I found the delivery of the 280bhp stage one car far preferable over the stage 3. It just became all about the power which just dominated the experience. If you're a straight line junkie it's great I guess. Of the SC options the Sprintex seems to offer a load of low down torque but run out of enthusiasm at the top end. The HKS was far, far better for me at least as it really flies at the top end. This is where the fun is. So I wouldn't be too worried about getting over 300bhp, 280bhp is plenty IME.

It's 'the reasonably fast car'.

It's a totally different engine. It's the new 1.5 engine bored out to 1.8. I think the reference to Lotus was about handling. A term often bandied about it seems.

Seeing as you need the keys to steal the car, it's probably easier just to have your keys somewhere where they won't be found. Or take them with you.

Well, it's the torque that that the auto box can't handle, though the rule of thumb is around 260bhp flywheel for the auto box, though you may get away with 280bhp. So in this respect an SC is a bit kinder on it than a turbo. You could though have a tune with a turbo that basically de-tunes it compared to what you would do on a manual I guess. But really you're well on the limit of the auto box at that power. The gearbox over heating is an issue. You will be going through the gears quicker with a shorter final drive, so I can sort of see what they are saying in respect of more heat. Keith (Special K) had huge problems with his auto when he was trying to go over 300bhp, he eventually gave up and is going for a Cossie SC, after spending huge amounts trying to sort out the problems with the gearbox. It's a shame because the manual has no issue it seems with high power outputs.

Welcome aboard. The start of the show/race season is nearly upon us, look out for the big events and social meets. Where are you based?

Should be okay with some jiggering around for me.

You should go out in Chester it's a really good night out. Practically for me, I have a 50th I am going to which I don't really want to go to, though I wouldn't expect to be at this bloody party for long, so will go early doors. I may be able to make food in Chester, but it depends what time you are eating. I can't leave Indy in all night, the trouble is, Chester is an hour away from Manchester so it's not down the road. Let me know what you decide.

Up to you on the final drive. I tried Kev's and I didn't really like it. Made 1st gear too short plus increased revs on the motorway. I like Euro trips, so not for me. The acceleration advantage it offered didn't seem worth it to me. And you may get some diff whine from it too.

If you haven't got offset bushes or adjustable lower control arms you won't be able to change the camber at the rear. The settings that Church suggested would be fine for the road.

Thought that was the cover for the headlamp washer? Pretty sure Toyota will sell you one.