After it replaced the Scion FR-S in North America earlier this year, the Toyota 86 is now available in European markets as the refreshed GT86.

Priced from £25,495 ($33,732) in the United Kingdom, where it will go on sale from October, it features a new ‘Track’ mode, which allows the driver to adjust the level of stability and traction control, and includes a ‘fully off’ option.

For improved handling, the body structure is now stiffer, particularly at the rear, where key components have been made thicker and additional spot welding has been introduced; Toyota has also retuned the Showa shock absorbers.

On the outside, the popular front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car has a redesigned nose section, which is not just about looking good, but helps smooth the airflow, as the company explains. It also has new LED headlights, and relocated turn signals from the front bumper to the headlamp clusters, while at the other end, the lighting units and bumper have been tweaked.

Inside, the automaker has fitted the 2017 GT 86 with a new 3-spoke steering wheel, which is said to have the smallest design for a production Toyota, with a 362 mm (14.25 in) diameter, equipped with auxiliary audio and display controls and adorned with a prominent silver 86 logo. The cabin also features a reoriented tachometer and a fresh 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display, which shows the fuel economy, journey distance, power and torque curves, and it also has a stopwatch and a G-force monitor.

Powered by the same 2.0-liter boxer engine with 197 horsepower, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, the sports car is offered in two versions: GT86 and GT86 Pro.

The former comes with standard adaptive LED headlights, keyless entry and go, hill start assist, cruise control, electrically-operated heated mirrors with folding function and aluminum sport pedals, while the latter adds a rear spoiler, heated front seats, leather and Alcantara upholstery, suede-effect finish for the door trims and dashboard and leather driver’s armrest.

Both models benefit from the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, DAB tuner and Bluetooth, but as an option, this can be upgraded to the Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding sat-nav, and access to on-line services and social media channels. Other options include the black clothc upholstery with red inserts on the seats and door trims for the GT86, and a similar treatment for the part-leather and Alcantara in the GT86 Pro.

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