Along with the Mazda MX-5, the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ twin provides the most affordable way to scratch a sports car itch. In an increasingly electrified world, these models are the dying breed with naturally aspirated engines, rear-wheel drive and manual gearboxes. Even if your name is Sébastien Ogier or Max Verstappen, you won’t be breaking any records, but as this onboard video shows, the Toyobaru is really great on the circuit.
Sports Auto Christian Gebhardt took the GR86 around the challenging Nürburgring and managed to complete the lap in 8 minutes and 27.27 seconds. How does that compare to the other sporty cars he’s tested at the Green Hell in recent years? Behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30 N Performance, the skilled test driver clocked the Nordschleife in 8:05 and about three seconds faster with the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45.
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Other relevant examples include the Hyundai i20 N Performance (8:33), Ford Mustang Mach 1 (7:58), Toyota GR Yaris (8:14), Mini JCW GP (8:03), Renault Megane RS Trophy-R (7 :55), and the previous generation Subaru BRZ Final Edition (8:43). He’s also tested BMW M and AMG models, along with a few Porsches, but they cost a lot more than the GR86.
While the GR86 is available in Europe, sadly the BRZ is not. However, rumors have it that Subaru has changed its mind and plans to introduce a RWD coupe on the Old Continent in the near future. With emissions regulations tightening in the EU ahead of a possible ban on sales of new ICE cars starting in 2035, the clock is ticking for NA sports cars.
Premium automakers have largely given up on manual gearboxes, with the exception of BMW with the M2 and M3/M4 along with Porsche and some puritanically tuned versions of the Cayman and 911. Cars like the GR86 are the last bastion for affordable NA sports cars with stick shift and RWD as they will all be extinct in the EU by the middle of the next decade.
