Two brains are better than one - that is the common notion we have when it comes to problem solving. And it seems Toyota and Subaru have adopted it with faith, when coming out with a solution for the automotive world. The result is none-other than the jointly developed 86 / BRZ. Shortly after its launch, the coupe has successfully risen to the ranks of bigger, more powerful players in the field, often used as a tool to evaluate if more power is better.
More often than not, its moderate power - most of which attainable in normal day-to-day driving, makes it the perfect companion for urbanised landscapes. That said, an automatic gearbox in any driver-centric car will naturally shun any motoring purists - the same group of people whom this very car was created for.
Exterior
With a low and wide stance, coupled with slouching snout and a tall boot line, the 86 firmly embodies the spirit of a coupe. Especially when wearing bright orange paint, it is a sure-fire way of attracting the eye-balls in any circumstance.
The choice of colour plays a vital role in much attention it will garner. Nevertheless, the car is never outwardly loud in any way. Edgy lines on the pronounced arches pull off a purposeful look, while swopping curves runs alongside the headlamps to balance off the aggressive stance. As a result, the 86 looks adeptly sporty in stock form, without looking too 'beng-ish'.
More often than not, its moderate power - most of which attainable in normal day-to-day driving, makes it the perfect companion for urbanised landscapes. That said, an automatic gearbox in any driver-centric car will naturally shun any motoring purists - the same group of people whom this very car was created for.
Exterior
With a low and wide stance, coupled with slouching snout and a tall boot line, the 86 firmly embodies the spirit of a coupe. Especially when wearing bright orange paint, it is a sure-fire way of attracting the eye-balls in any circumstance.
The choice of colour plays a vital role in much attention it will garner. Nevertheless, the car is never outwardly loud in any way. Edgy lines on the pronounced arches pull off a purposeful look, while swopping curves runs alongside the headlamps to balance off the aggressive stance. As a result, the 86 looks adeptly sporty in stock form, without looking too 'beng-ish'.
In 'S' trim, it wears a humble set of 16-inch alloys, which we reckon could do with a tad of sizing-up for better stance. Alternatively, one can opt for the 'GS' variant which will come standard with the extra aesthetic bits like day-time running LEDs, HID headlamps and 17-inch alloys, amongst several other interior niceties. All these however, come at a pricely $13,000.
Interior
Head into the low-slung cabin, and one will realise that the console is minimally littered with electronics gizmo. For instance, it does without a centre infotainment display, doing with a simple factory-fitted audio unit.
The 'base' 86 make do with the conventional turn-key starting sequence. Like the manual variant, it does without a digital speed counter - a useful tool which will help in reading speed on camera-plied roads.
Head into the low-slung cabin, and one will realise that the console is minimally littered with electronics gizmo. For instance, it does without a centre infotainment display, doing with a simple factory-fitted audio unit.
The 'base' 86 make do with the conventional turn-key starting sequence. Like the manual variant, it does without a digital speed counter - a useful tool which will help in reading speed on camera-plied roads.
Elsewhere, the 86's sporting intent is clearly expressed. Racy-red trims and stitching spans across the steering and handbrake lever, to the door cards and bucket-seats. The latter holds the front occupants snugly in place during cornering manoeuvres, a praise-worthy piece of kit optimised between support and comfort.
Like most of the coupes, the rear seats will struggle to fit full-sized adults. Entry into the rear is prohibitive while the one-lever fold mechanism could have been better too, as the seat does take some adjusting to return to its original position.
The Drive
We hopped into the 86 with a dreaded anxiety - one that wonders if the automatic gearbox will take away what we have grown to love about the car.
On straights, the gearbox shifts seamlessly, working the engine close to the red-line before each shift, especially when the 'Sport' mode is depressed. Notably, the automatic feels intuitive, down-shifting to the more appropriate gear with each flex of the right foot. The gearbox also helps to put down the available power at any given instance.
The obvious downside is that one is now deprived of the shifting fun. While the driver can choose to override the gear selection, the base variant does without steering mounted shifters.
We hopped into the 86 with a dreaded anxiety - one that wonders if the automatic gearbox will take away what we have grown to love about the car.
On straights, the gearbox shifts seamlessly, working the engine close to the red-line before each shift, especially when the 'Sport' mode is depressed. Notably, the automatic feels intuitive, down-shifting to the more appropriate gear with each flex of the right foot. The gearbox also helps to put down the available power at any given instance.
The obvious downside is that one is now deprived of the shifting fun. While the driver can choose to override the gear selection, the base variant does without steering mounted shifters.
That though, does little to dampen the involving experience, blessed by the sublime handling, as well as the intoxicating howl made by the 2.0-litre boxer engine.
Conclusion
The 86 in auto guise delivers a different aspect of the driving experience. Without the need to shift manually, it leaves you with greater convenience, without taking away the charming handling and glorious engine note bestowed to the car.
While the purists in us will continue to be advocates for manual sports cars, we have genuinely come to like what the 86 can deliver with its auto box.
Conclusion
The 86 in auto guise delivers a different aspect of the driving experience. Without the need to shift manually, it leaves you with greater convenience, without taking away the charming handling and glorious engine note bestowed to the car.
While the purists in us will continue to be advocates for manual sports cars, we have genuinely come to like what the 86 can deliver with its auto box.
