New Toyota GT86 TURBO vs McLaren MP4-12C

The Toyota GT86 has beautiful handling, but Steve Sutcliffe thinks it needs some more poke. Luckily Fensport has built a turbo version...
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We're big fans of the Toyota GT86, but always wondered what it would be like with more power and stickier tyres. About 250bhp and 250lb ft of torque should do it, so we sent Steve Sutcliffe to compare the Fensport GT86 Turbo with the standard coupe. When Fensport then gave us the keys to their mind-blowing 335bhp GT86 racer, we decided to see just how hard a McLaren 12C would need to be driven to keep up with the humble Toyota.
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
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[@MA77SP]

It's a good video to demonstrate how the GT86 is a good platform on which you can build up. Agree?

[@postmortemarg]

MR2 Spyder 2ZZ turbo is more bang for the buck

[@jesse584]

100% agree! 35k new, and if ya put 35k into it to make it cost as much as most of these sports cars, it becomes a beast that will beat any of the others..

[@SWiFTMK7]

To those saying the GT86 was a race car, he clearly stated almost the exact same setup was on that black car. We all know that if the 12c had a better driver to race it to its full potential it would beat it. But for the price of the 86, you can still have a fast and fun driving experience without the price of the 12c. Stop bashing on the car and being fan boys. Give the car credit where it's due. The GT86 is a fun and fast circuit car.

[@aisu8481]

MED4D HD Well, technically it is a race car because it can't be street legal with all the modifications to the chassis. The black car has the same basic power source, yes, but it's still a good 400 lbs heavier and has fewer track upgrades. The wheels they put on it are heavy and the suspension isn't anything special.However, I completely agree with you. I own an fr-s, and it's magnificent to drive. The purpose was to build them and have readily available upgrades for little money. They have definitely accomplished the goal here, seeing a new mx-5 cup isn't that much cheaper than this racecar, but is a good bit slower.

[@farhan007]

+Spencer Geerlings I doubt the weight savings netted 400 lbs. They just striped the interior and probably have a light weight drivetrain set up. However some that weight saving was offset with MUCH bigger wheels, roll cage and the turbo kit.

[@farhan007]

+Spencer Geerlings at best probably 300 lbs.

[@mojojoji5493]

Farhan Chowdhury yea you can save around 270lbs if you gut the stereos, seats, and spare tire lol.

[@timo80ssmedia24]

Preachhhhhhhhhh

[@TheOne42]

He missed the point... its not because the tuned GT86 is a fast car, it's because it has a better driver behind the wheel! As Ayrton Senna said: Straights are for fast cars. Turns are for fast drivers.

[@nagyba]

Has a better steering build up too - low boxer engine 3Ocm above ground… - its almost cheating… It is fast, believe me,

[@starbai410]

All bout them twisties!

[@jokommentaah5947]

no that is the whole point of this test: that money cant buy you everything. You cant get a MClaren and beat anyone .-- even if the competition is far cheaper. It think this is a great comparison.. nobody would expect a 30grand car thats been tuned to beat a Mclaren. of course not. a regualar comparison wouldnt make any sence at all of course the Mclaren would win.

[@eddie_salv5143]

TheOne42 preech

[@Omar-kw5ui]

a low centre of gravity isnt everything. You also need a centre of gravity that is central in the vehicle both longitudinally and horizontally. This is why so many sport cars have mid engines. Believe me, those mid engines are very low too.

[@jokommentaah5947]

People please understand that this is not a comparison that tries to show that the Toyota is better than the Mclaren. It obviously is not. However it makes a good case of the possible performance a Tuned Toyota can deliver against a car that you otherwise would expect to overtake a racedriver even if a baby was driving it.

[@bardz0sz]

"Mclaren is not bad either" haha :D

[@jossiqua]

Hopefully Toyota are taking notes from Fensport (as well as other tuners) and come up with their own 250ish BHP turbo/supercharged GT86. I think they'd make a fair few sales!

[@Evan_Bell]

My favourite supercar vs favourite low end sports car.

[@kristoferturner2194]

This video really sums up what the GT86 is all about in many ways. like its older brother the AE86 ..tuners flock to it as a blank canvas ready for further upgrades

[@another3997]

As usual, the video was quite entertaining. I always cringe when reading the comments on KZbin videos like this one. So many people just miss the points being made and then make silly comments based on their own misunderstanding. It makes you wonder if they put as much mental effort in to their own driving as they do watching YT clips... now that IS a scary thought.

[@SaleemHodge]

Great video, really enjoyed having the mp4-12c compared against it on track. Wish it was longer though. Could watch those two for hours!

[@streetsandpeaks3013]

Watching this video again while I'm buying my second FRS (GT86) with every mod but a boost AND all installed at my Toyota dealer to keep the full factory warranty. (Dropped in a walk around video if you want to check it out). This little car is the best money I ever spent....twice now!

[@PENNYDROPS]

Love my 2014 86. It looks beautiful and is a ball of fun to drive!

[@goalski7]

loving the boxer rumble coming out of these cars once they have a turbo slapped on them.

[@jamesmulligan7413]

Nah that's the uel headers

[@sasajungic89]

I just got one 5 days ago and its amazing. Lovely little car

[@paulhansen3233]

The segments where the tail of the GT86 was all over the place was shot separately with different tyres. The car set its lap time on 245 new toyo r888 and the video was made using worn out 225s and drifting just for fun! The turbo kit they use is the AVO turboworld turbo kit.

[@freespace303]

I see the road going version has the automatic with paddles. How does it shift? Did they tweak the software at all to improve it, or was that not needed? Thanks, great video!

[@tredphoenix]

"I don't know what we learned from that" same

[@franklinjames7416]

Now this is an interesting match-up!

[@MYNiqqa-qw1my]

that subaru FA20 Boxer sounds so nice

[@Primitivegarage915]

This makes me feel proud of my gt86. :) some day baby. Some day you'll get boost.

[@Flatfourdetailing]

love the rumble!!!!!!

[@mohammedmazin4675]

McLarne 12C is actually a great car

[@erna1620]

Put the same driver and let them do a solo lap each to determine best time. It's quite a handicap for the 12C since you've got a race commentator trying to keep pace against a professional race car driver who knows the track.

[@bliglum]

I'm a fan of the the GT 86, but c'mon.. Of course we know the Mclaren is ultimately going to be faster.. It's got twice as much power, carbon fibre everything. 8 vs 4 cylinders, balanced mid engine layout, and costs about TEN TIMES as much.. But dollar for dollar, (or pound for pound) The GT 86 absolutely can deliver a better smile per note ratio : )

[@sandrarios2496]

Exactly Eric. The Autocar guy was shortshifting the McLaren 90% of the time and wasn't even trying to "track drive," i.e. Reach the braking point of the car, full on the brakes, off the brakes, turning in towards the apex (using the brakes or throttle only when necessary for mid-corner corrections), then letting the car move itself towards the edge of the track as you apply the throttle quickly but smoothly. And this whole video, like some of the people on here, is missing the whole point of cars like the GT86/FRS/BRZ and MX-5 Miata. Low priced, front engine, rear-wheel drive cars someone can drive the snot out of, with the sensation of going twice the speed, keeping your license, and you can ride them hard and put them away wet, and as long as you keep oil and coolant in them, they'll run forever. And like I said in another post, at an autocross event it's like 90% Miatas (and more and more GT86s and their cousins as time goes by), driven by people who could afford a lot more but don't run things like supercars, because even stock or lightly tuned Miatas embarrass Corvettes and Porsches and BMWs and the like by seconds. On an autocross track the miatas are getting to redline in 3rd, cornering like champions, while higher priced stuff barely gets the opportunity to get out of 2nd and end up peddling about, half-way through 3rd. In the GT86s case (and in the case of it's cousins) the point was so much about low-priced fun that they put Prius tires on them (i.e. super-hard compound for less road drag) so that people could easily get the tail out and keep it there even with the modest power. Anything can be made fast, or bought fast. In both cases it's just a matter of more money. And you end up having less fun because if you drive them like you would a stock GT86 or Miata, etc. you'll end up flying off down a canyon or into a tree or have your license revoked unless you pay up for a track day. The beauty of the less powerful stuff is you can be driving home from work and say, "I'm gonna drift every wide intersection on the way home," and you can do it at low speeds and if there are no cops around, get away with it. Try that in a 458 and post when you get out of jail.

[@jamescutter8760]

That will be good for the good old track days then.

[@thewalrus1968]

good vid thx

[@TheHimmy07]

I love the sound of subaru "Boxer" engine

[@blakechristenson3352]

why were 19' rims thrown on this? isn't that just going to make the gearing even worse? 17s for performance 18s for looks, or am i wrong?

[@MElekiaZ]

+blake christenson 16 will be ok in gt86. s2000 uses 17 ans have 20-30 hp more.

[@farhan007]

agree. The only reason I can think of is to fit larger brakes.

[@B10401]

They make the tires have a smaller profile usually, resulting in nearly the same gearing.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

The smaller the better for performance. You can't fit big brakes on the gt86 with 17" wheels though, unless you use spacers.

[@user-xd2mg5cf2v]

this videos and the thumbnail videos reminds me best motoring show..

[@antireload]

great super car, great modified car, and ended with great laugh.. this is officially a decent video

[@71DJL]

The McLaren could have been driven quicker by the right driver and if it had slicks & a dedicated track setup like the GT86 race car had, it would be quicker as well. But also the guy in the GT86 was toying with the car. If he wanted a quick lap, he wouldn't have been 'drifting' the car in and out of the corners. It was merely a bit of a fun demonstration. It showed that the GT86 has a lot of potential, enough so that it can at least be competitive with a McLaren for a lot less money. But it also demonstrates how good the McLaren is straight off the showroom floor.

[@Slickpete83]

wow where can i buy this fence sports turbo kit here in Canada ?? Also how well can the auto transmission handle the power ??

[@Sickwitit18]

so I know the frs is a scion and Toyota makes scion, but is this a sooped up frs or did Toyota makes some modifications to it?

[@FC-oh3ho]

it was because of this vid, that I installed an avo kit in my car. shit is dope

[@oreo7007]

I like the comparison. Best handling of current standard cars vs best handling of all the cars.

[@OurTim]

The sound of the 90's is back. Hurrah!! 1:41

[@migueljozart8287]

The GT86 is a very beautiful looking car

[@timetrialist]

very nice kit, now put it on the McLaren and rerun this little race

[@karlchristophersen5400]

his mum made him a shirt from the old table coth! Nice

[@Jonathan.R.Pereira]

where can I get those Allows? .. I saw them on the Fensport site, but can I get them anywhere else?

[@Jonathan.R.Pereira]

Alloys*

[@lolzomfgaaron]

On the gray one?

[@apexmarchant]

the sound of a subaru flat 4 it's made because of the UnEqual Lenght Headers, the stock GT86 has Equal Lenght Headers (because UEL Headers tends to have less power than EL Headers, but in this case i noticed in forums that is backwards) so that's the reason why it not sounded like a subaru engine in his stock form. ps: excuse my poor english if i made some mistakes XD

[@psycodriver]

Good news: with proper mods the GT86/BRZ may sound like a Impreza STI, lovely!

[@jimhawking664]

First off, LOVE the toybaru. Hope to own one someday. And I don't particularly care for the Mclaren (or the sound of boxers for that matter). But any car can beat any other car if it's had enough money put into it, and that fensport is worked to the farking HILT. Really, the Mclaren was put against a dedicated track car. Mix in the fact that it was a good driver in the toybaru and a ham-fister in the Mclaren and it stands to reason it'd be close. Put the same driver in stock versions of both cars on the same track/day and the predictable will happen.

[@GamingAirlines]

Because, Scion is Toyota and in japan and other places its called the GT86, but for US its pretty much FRS. If you look at the FRS side you'll find 86 emblem. Hope this helps out.

[@jayjeromie]

Good test... "And err the mclarens not bad actually" LOOL

[@martijntalma]

the way the racer sounds, is the way the gt86 should have sounded like this from day one.

[@davidnguyen1014]

What turbo kit was on the blk turbo gt86?

[@tonyc5636]

what is the wing on the 86

[@NMChiphopdawg]

The gt86 with a supercharger, ECU tuning, racing brakes will cause some serious damage

[@Talisayin]

The same thing can be said about the MR2 turbo but look at it now. Great car.

[@bman1668]

Imagine 500whp 86 vs that mclaren that would be a good run for the money 10k u get 500whp and less cost and have a beast of a track car and street car that looks good as well

[@mojojoji5493]

A fully gutted one is around 2400 lbs 400-500 would be a rocket on one

[@Miha_Asic]

thumbs up for the comparison, like! :)

[@ApexPerformance]

A couple of points for clarity: 1: The 86 was on road legal treaded tyres, NOT slicks. 2: The video above was filmed with the 86 on worn 225s for entertainment value and does not represent the cars true handling capabilities. The timed performance comparison was done on decent treaded tyres and without the showy oversteer :) 3: The car isnt running rock hard track suspension, it is on street spec spring rates as thats what Fensport get on with. Its a bit of fun, enjoy it as such :)

[@Mogwai-user]

Does anyone know what wheels those are on the black 86?

[@MichaelCoolGuy86]

If you ever see a GT86 with carbon fiber hood/trunk, and it's not dry carbon; It's just for looks. The aluminum hood/trunk is often times as light or lighter than most CF pieces (because most of them are just 2-3 layers of fiber glass, and then 1 layer of carbon for looks), and the thousands of dollars you pay for real dry carbon, you'll only save as much weight as a solid poo.

[@Mrboombastic936]

at 5:09 look at the fire shooting out of the tail pipe of the gt86!

[@autocar]

New Toyota GT86 TURBO monsters McLaren MP4-12C on track

[@easton.88]

Autocar That statement is incorrect. I love the gt86, but as a racing enthusiast i say don't talk shit! the 86 was sliding all over the road, pit time! and that's only the first problem, I could go on and on about this. In a REAL race with out 2 pussy journalists driving, mclaren and the 86 are not compared, obviously you don't know anything about racing, the 86 will always be a fun car, NOT a race car, unless your racing in its own class. Think about shit before you say it because that's bullshit. change your name! to amitureautocarman

[@TheQuestionTheAnswer]

+Andrew Easton Mighty strong words from someone who probably doesn't own a McLaren and probably hasn't ever done a track day.

[@TheQuestionTheAnswer]

+Andrew Easton Do you own a McLaren? Have you ever done a track day? Then what's your capacity to call these people 'ammiture' (LOL) drivers when you couldn't get within 10 seconds of their time on a track?

[@GoodnotGreat88]

+Andrew Easton Your too dumb to realize your being made fun of. Stop watching youtube videos and take an English class.

[@SnowWolf9999]

Subaru uses modified BRZs as their RWD class Rally car and their GT and Super GT cars as well. So technically it (GT86/BRZ) has been made into a race car.

[@ian106n]

No Fensport in the uk sell the five axis aero kit, & the car is running the AVO turbo, note the black car is also an auto.

[@apexmarchant]

Toyota included his D4-S injection technology for the creation of this new FA20 boxer engine, it's a collaboration between both of them to create the Toyota 86/GT86, Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ :)

[@TheCuteLittleDoggy]

lol we learned nothing from that test the MP4-12C should have been in front and then try keep up with it, looked to me a bit like the McLaren was idling lol. bet it would have learned something then :P

[@zerotoux]

I agree, I thought it would've been better if the McLaren was in front because you're not seeing if the strong car can keep up with the weak one, it should be the other way around.

[@kjerud95]

Is it a boxter engine in the Toyota? I know the subaru and scion have the simular body, but I didn't know that Toyota have fitted a boxter engine.

[@onlythebest1181]

well done!

[@Destronus]

If you want to set the fastest lap times, always optimize the car's traction. Not drifting on every corner you see which actually slows your car down.

[@energetic479]

yeah but nobody buys a gt86 to not drift tho...

[@f0gGenx]

Interesting comparison.

[@3248934]

That's what I thought, but maybe they wouldn't fit, since the car was designed with slim tires. They could of course mod it to make them fit.

[@MotoErgoSum]

Keep in mind cars are much more expensive across the pond. If you can even get the new Stingray over in the UK, it'd probably be up around $75000... You could probably build that full-on race mode 86 using a base model Scion FR-S for way under 51k in the US or Canada.

[@uploadfreedom]

You are correct, the small track has the most to do with it. Also the GT86 is blocking while drifting the tail all over the road. Not sure why your comment is not on top.

[@Corollakongen]

You should invite Fredric Åsebø from Norway to Your programme in his GT86 Drift Car. With aSupra engine With 700+ horsepower in it.. it is rediculas.. Not to mention the GT 86 in Asia With V8 IS-F engine in it. :)

[@Reddblur]

anyone know what kind of spoiler the white 86 has?

[@AndroidJdm]

I think the 2 best Gt86 is actually built by HKS and its driven in the D1GP leauge by Nobteru Taniguchi. it produces about 500hp and its amazing. the 2nd best is TRD's very own Griffon Concept. Well it maybe be time for a trip to Japan to drive these 2 monsters

[@xelsear1683]

I love Toyota 86. I know is not the fastest. But is a reliable and pretty car. When you drive on the road you watch your safety first and fun after.

[@pHA1LER]

I'd like to see the fennsport matched up against the litchfield supercharged brz actually !

[@VWayyyyyyyy]

Gaahhh! That 86 Track car is perfection and light as fuck. When corning the 86 tears that McLaren up which is really no surprise there. haha

[@CSOCSO]

5axis wheels and bodykit. Did they just shipped over the black frs with all the 5axis goodies and greddy turbo and rebadged it?

[@givewai]

Pls compare the Mind's R34 in a test like this. It was and still is incredibly fast.

[@SignorKyle]

We all know if there was any medium length straight, the GT86 would've been destroyed. But props to Fensport Racing, that GT86 looks like proper fun :)

[@HemiMike]

right on.

[@ricusmate]

More tuners vs supercars please.

[@postmortemarg]

Cool 86 and all, but no other engine/drive configuration can corner faster than MR cars

[@fazer12779]

You Should ask fensport for their 4wd toyota corolla t-sport with the celica engine 500bhp & do the same test ;)

[@0501marcos]

GT86 is slapping to hit eurobeat

[@ayeapprove]

Just FYI: Subaru already has a 300hp/400nm twin scroll turbo version of the same FA20 engine in the JDM Legacy GT DIT. I think they had to settle for an agreement with Toyota not to provide any power upgrades for the BRZ until a specific date.

[@CR0SSu]

I wounder would they be able to put the same moss on the Sunaru BRZ because i prefer than the Toyota

[@wercakkie]

i'd have that black GT86 over just about anything! love it

[@DB-gv6oi]

Slicks vs road tyres is worth a lot of time on the track alone.

[@Dermo1985]

Mmmmm yeeeeaaah that track looked like nothing but corners, any reasonably quick car thats set to handle rather than high speed could keep ahead of a super car.

[@xiaoyuzhang1797]

GT 86 is no surprisingly faster than McLaren, because it has the glorious tofu delivery task at hand XD

[@lop8828]

You guys love this lovely lil toys huh

[@jonathanchen4109]

In the sense that Toyota 86 gives more youngsters a chance to have a taste of sports cars and develop the passion for driving, the 86 is much much much better car than McLaren. All the idiots commenting toyota 86 is a low end sports car, I bet they have never driven one.

[@mojojoji5493]

Indeed

[@bucketslash11]

"preformance should be rated by the quality of it, not the quantity" -chris harris, GT-86 review

[@eclipse245]

Good luck lasting more than 5 laps if you slide like that in a race lol

[@user-eg3ol1ef7i]

The problem is the driver You can win the race If you use the real potential of 12C

[@smsuperman1219]

Brz handles as good as anything on slow small tracks, but high speed handling is a different story. That's even if it was just as fast down a straight line. The 12c is just so composed it was designed to be a good handler at any speed. The only chance the souped brz has at beating the 12c would be on this type of track, which fell short 3 tenths. Not to hammer the brz it is a true race car, and to be competitive against one of the fastest cars on any track proves its worth. Especially when you consider price differences.

[@tagerung90]

only car that compares properly to an 86 is a used elise or a e36 M. Still though for its price its brilliant. On a personal note I think Id go with crawford cause hes a suby man through and through

[@RickTrajan]

That GT86 got a good mustache

[@loesch8102]

Fuel ecomony. The STI engines are the same arrangement but offer much more power. Subaru should have factored in how much space they'd need to stuff a proper turbo in there so they could offer that option a few years after launch.

[@SmallBlogV8]

So you're telling me a car on slick tyres that's 200kg lighter is better under brakes and in the corners? I could've told you that... Still, that 250bhp car is a must-have!

[@KristaAMartin100]

Auto Anodisc dies some crome truck rims blue and since it said Toyota on the metal crates I'm thinking maybe full color crome, pink rims, green rims, magenta rims, red rims, purple rims, and maybe even the trim different colors?

[@turbstlcards]

I'd like to see what the 86 could do if it was set up for grip and not masquerading as a drift car.

[@_Chev_Chelios]

They are all identical aside from a slight price difference. If you are badge conscious, you will pay a smidge more for the Lexus version of the ToyLexaru. For more information see Internet.

[@Darryljr11]

If thats the AVO kit im pretty sure those power numbers a WHP instead of Crank HP