Skip advert
Advertisement

Cosworth GT86 review

This Toyota GT86 has been tuned by Cosworth to produce up to 280bhp - but it's expensive

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Toyota GT 86
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The upgrades from British motorsport experts at Cosworth unlock the GT 86’s inner potential we’ve longed for since launch – but at a price. It’s not as aggressive or raucous as you might think, either, simply heightening the standard car’s character. The Cosworth GT86 is fun, but at this level it pushes it close to the best in the business from Audi, BMW and Porsche.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you’re in the market for a hotter Toyota GT 86, take note – thanks to motorsport specialists Cosworth you can now bag one with a healthy 280bhp and 305Nm of torque - that’s 83bhp and 100Nm more than standard. But can it release the rear-drive coupe’s potential?

The engine runs what Cosworth calls the full Stage 2.3 upgrade kit, including a supercharger, a high-flow air filter and intake, a new exhaust system and a new race-spec ECU.

Out on the road it’s the torque you notice the most. There’s more performance lower down compared to the standard car, but it’s still not quite as you might expect. If you want the full hit, you still have to rev the ‘boxer’ engine out to its raised 7,200rpm limit. Keep your foot to the floor and it scorches through the gears, but as our test car wasn’t fitted with the full exhaust (capping power at 260bhp) the engine still sounded coarse inside.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

17,081 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £22,368
View Tucson
AMG E63 S Saloon

2018 Mercedes

AMG E63 S Saloon

54,784 milesAutomaticPetrol4.0L

Cash £47,500
View AMG E63 S Saloon
Range Rover Evoque

2020 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

50,628 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £18,500
View Range Rover Evoque
Q5

2023 Audi

Q5

39,457 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £34,990
View Q5

Cosworth hasn’t officially announced any performance figures for its power pack, but says 0-62mph takes just under five seconds for the full fat car using the built-in launch control system. That’s 2.6 seconds quicker than standard.

It’s not just the GT 86’s engine that has been tweaked, either. Cosworth has equipped the car with new KW suspension, so its even firmer and more focused – but the body control is good, so with more power and an extra responsive edge to the chassis.

While the standard car is fitted with the same tyres as the Prius hybrid, which meant the chassis was playful but grip ran out quickly, here we have 18-inch lightweight alloys and fatter, grippier tyres. As a result it hangs on better through the bends, while a brake upgrade from British manufacturer AP Racing means it’ll stop hard, too.

Inside, it’s just as practical as the standard car, with a roomy cabin and a decent sized boot as the modification don’t alter the GT 86’s basic shape. There is one rather large drawback to this car’s upgrades, however. Cosworth brakes its enhancements down into stages, with Stage 1.0 the start, rising to 1.3, before Stage 2.0 adds the supercharger.

As a result prices can vary, but go for the full-on pack and it’ll cost you £7,235 excluding VAT and fitting costs. Add that to the price of a new mid-spec GT 86 and the price will be close to £35,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric. 

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,295
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,966 off RRP*Used from £7,250
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,773 off RRP*Used from £15,395
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £12,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025
Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival
Smart Roadster exclusive image

Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival

The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look
News
16 Jun 2025
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too
Audi Q3 - front

New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too

Audi’s not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
News
16 Jun 2025