Great aesthetics on Toyota’s GR86
Compact sports car that sounds so good
Pupkewitz Toyota has the spirit of Gazoo Racing embodied and ready to test drive.
Diana Master, the My.Na Cars people’s passenger princess, had the thrill of riding along in the incredible Toyota GR86 recently when Deodat Kotze, sales consultant at Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, took her through the vehicle’s many attractions.
"A compact sexy beast" is how she described this beauty.
The GR in GR86 is for Gazoo Racing Toyota, and the leading international automobile manufacturer is committed to the embodiment of racing through the vehicle.
“It makes me feel like I’m a racing driver,” Masters said during her spin around the capital.
Momentous design
From the outset, the GR86 impresses with its momentous design, its smooth lines and dart-like contours that give it a sense of motion, as if it is cutting through the air, even when standing still.
Red and black trim and branding help the vehicle stand out.
Low profile 18-inch rims add to the appeal, while utility has not been sacrificed as demonstrated by the bottom in the back that pops the boot open. The boot can also be opened remotely with the use of the key. Another design feature is the reverse camera placed above the rear logo.
Typically, the GR86 is a two-door vehicle, even though it has four seats. Being a sports car, space on the rear seats is limited. The dual suede and leather seats and expert stitching add to the look and comfort of the interior.
Front passengers enjoy more creature comforts including door mounted cup holders and USB and auxiliary ports in the central console.
Distinctive voice
From that position, Master had to emphasise just how much she loves the sound of the engine.
“Listen to that baby roar!” she exclaimed.
The GR86 gets its distinctive voice from its naturally aspirated 2.4-litre engine, capable of generating 174kW of power and kicking out 254Nm of torque. All that power means the GR86 can accelerate from a standstill to 100 kilometres per hour in only 6.8 seconds. It also boasts a top speed of 216kmph, Kotze highlighted.
Fuel consumption is nothing to write home about where the GR86 is concerned, using on average 8.8 litres per 100km with the automatic transmission, and 9.6 litres with the manual transmission.
However, the sheer exhilaration of driving this beast makes up for any frivolous penny-pinching concerns.
Get ready, get set, let’s GR86!
The GR86 handles very well and this aspect of the sports car is accentuated when you put it in track mode. Here, the driver takes complete control, although going through the gears is done automatically while the display changes to reflect a more aggressive mood.
The sound is also pushed up a decibel or two. Other drive modes include normal, snow and sport, but only track activates the built-in lap timer on the main display.
Lane departure warnings and the ability to retake a lane if negligent driving makes the vehicle slip sideways add to the built-in safety features of the GR86. Cameras in the roof help this automobile sense pavements and solid lines. Features controlled using buttons on the steering wheel include the lane keep assist, cruise control and activation of the limited slip differential.
According to Kotze, the GR86 retails from N$795 000 and comes complete with a service warrantee that allows for four services up to 60 000km annually, or at intervals of 15 000km.
"A compact sexy beast" is how she described this beauty.
The GR in GR86 is for Gazoo Racing Toyota, and the leading international automobile manufacturer is committed to the embodiment of racing through the vehicle.
“It makes me feel like I’m a racing driver,” Masters said during her spin around the capital.
Momentous design
From the outset, the GR86 impresses with its momentous design, its smooth lines and dart-like contours that give it a sense of motion, as if it is cutting through the air, even when standing still.
Red and black trim and branding help the vehicle stand out.
Low profile 18-inch rims add to the appeal, while utility has not been sacrificed as demonstrated by the bottom in the back that pops the boot open. The boot can also be opened remotely with the use of the key. Another design feature is the reverse camera placed above the rear logo.
Typically, the GR86 is a two-door vehicle, even though it has four seats. Being a sports car, space on the rear seats is limited. The dual suede and leather seats and expert stitching add to the look and comfort of the interior.
Front passengers enjoy more creature comforts including door mounted cup holders and USB and auxiliary ports in the central console.
Distinctive voice
From that position, Master had to emphasise just how much she loves the sound of the engine.
“Listen to that baby roar!” she exclaimed.
The GR86 gets its distinctive voice from its naturally aspirated 2.4-litre engine, capable of generating 174kW of power and kicking out 254Nm of torque. All that power means the GR86 can accelerate from a standstill to 100 kilometres per hour in only 6.8 seconds. It also boasts a top speed of 216kmph, Kotze highlighted.
Fuel consumption is nothing to write home about where the GR86 is concerned, using on average 8.8 litres per 100km with the automatic transmission, and 9.6 litres with the manual transmission.
However, the sheer exhilaration of driving this beast makes up for any frivolous penny-pinching concerns.
Get ready, get set, let’s GR86!
The GR86 handles very well and this aspect of the sports car is accentuated when you put it in track mode. Here, the driver takes complete control, although going through the gears is done automatically while the display changes to reflect a more aggressive mood.
The sound is also pushed up a decibel or two. Other drive modes include normal, snow and sport, but only track activates the built-in lap timer on the main display.
Lane departure warnings and the ability to retake a lane if negligent driving makes the vehicle slip sideways add to the built-in safety features of the GR86. Cameras in the roof help this automobile sense pavements and solid lines. Features controlled using buttons on the steering wheel include the lane keep assist, cruise control and activation of the limited slip differential.
According to Kotze, the GR86 retails from N$795 000 and comes complete with a service warrantee that allows for four services up to 60 000km annually, or at intervals of 15 000km.
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