Toyota GR86 vs Lotus Emira vs McLaren Artura review (2023)

You know that when you install a new game, you will be asked what level you want to start. Do you need an entire recommended racing line, all the impressive controls and stop assist so you don’t end up digging into every virtual wall at every opportunity? OK, this is the time to admit that you are always outpacing your own skills and have to embarrassingly adjust the settings after a few turns, just to call in a few helpers here and there. We get it. We do the same.

However, none of that is here. Not only because the obstacles on the Gotlandring are very real and very close to the edges of the circuit, especially on the old tricky part of this track. No, I’m going to do this well and steadily raise the Skill Level, step by step.

Our three levels have come to life in the form of the Toyota GR86 (Beginners), Lotus Emira I4 (Advanced) and McLaren Artura (Experts). With power outputs of 235, 364 and 680 hp respectively, each member represents a significant step up compared to its predecessor. Unfortunately, this also applies to price tags.

Toyota GR86, Lotus Emira and McLaren Artura prices

The Toyota is more expensive, at 70,695 euros (34,600 euros in Belgium, and yes, note the difference). The Emira, with its Mercedes engine, is more expensive than we expected (115,009 euros in the Netherlands, 97,625 euros with our southern neighbors), especially because our version is the First with the Black Pack added. The Artura plug-in combo starts at 235,500 euros (1,500 euros less in Belgium), but targets another 35k with extras installed. Wow.

Well, we’ll start at the beginning. You know the story of the GR86 by now: it’s the second child of the marriage between Toyota and Subaru, after the brilliant but powerful and torque-less GT86. Toyota made us wait for its return to the world of rear-wheel drive sports cars and then reduced the number of the GR when it arrived. But if you can find one, you probably have the ultimate gaming car for PC.

What makes the GR86 the best sports car for beginners?

Power (35 hp more than you got in the old GT86) comes from a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Totally retro, but that makes it even better. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 6.3 seconds, which is certainly not very fast, but that also means you have time to work on your lines, your footwork and your excuses. a strangerthe driver. In fact, it is a perfect tool for exercise.

Negative? Well, apart from the fact that you can’t find it, the interior is still a collection of cheap plastics with a Sega Mega Drive screen and graphics. On the other hand: at least you still get enough common buttons and everything is where you expect it to be. However, the GR86 seems very common in this group.

Level 2 is already more expensive, but that is justified

If we talk about appearance: Emira Lotus looks precious. That’s fine, especially considering its high price, but especially in real life it’s a wonderful thing to look at. That look that only a mid-size car can have, that roof in a different color, those artistic side mirrors.

The interior is also very nice, with lots of Alcantara, real steel and some simple black and white graphics on the 10.25-inch touchscreen. It’s a shame that the steering wheel looks stupid, the seats are too soft and the gear lever is a dream to operate.

Still, with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the AMG A-class and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, our top-of-the-range car is a top kid’s car. It’s 12kg lighter than the V6 with a manual gearbox and 0-100 is done in 4.4 seconds. No one will have anything to complain about the top speed of 275 km / h and the sound is supported by a good sound from the turbo.

The hydraulic steering is sharper and offers more feedback than the Toyota’s, it has more grip and the electronic differential on the rear axle helps it carry more speed through corners. The i4 benefits from firmer sports suspension settings. Although it is less powerful than the V6, the four-cylinder is placed closer to the center of the car, making its movements more direct.

And what a pity that the engine is not as crazy as in the A 45 S, where it squeezes every nerve to squeeze 421 hp and needs a straitjacket instead of an engine mount. In its four-cylinder form you could easily forget the Emira in this group. The incredible chassis is lowered by an engine that surprisingly has character and to bite is missing.

Specs at the highest level, McLaren Artura

For those looking for a direct, Artura is the destination. Despite its combination of a 3.0-liter V6 with two turbos, an electric motor, a 7.8 kWh battery pack and adaptive dampers, McLaren’s plug-in hybrid weighs just 1,498 kilograms, with water and oil and all – less than a kilogram 100 more than. Emira.

That’s largely due to the performance of the carbon fiber, of course. Combine that with 680 hp and 720 Nm, and you understand that the Artura does not lack a sense of urgency. In addition, because the electric motor fills the gaps that the turbo frequently leaves, there is always plenty of power available.

New engine, but same McLaren feel

The powertrain is the same for McLaren new era Hydraulic operation is a known area. It lets you know exactly what’s going on, which – along with a huge amount of grip – gives you loads of confidence, even when you think you might be playing above your level in that 700 hp, rear-wheel-drive car.

The people from Woking have decided to completely abandon regenerative braking, and standard carbon-ceramic discs rule the track. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts with whiplash, as you’d expect, and the electronic differential gives the Artura a surprisingly friendly demeanor. In fact, the most important lesson from this amazingly composed test is that the McLaren is well suited to satisfy beginners as well as advanced professionals.

Artura is really every level in one car

He is happy to give you a helping hand. You can access different chassis and drivetrain modes to take yourself step by step to the next level, as well as a different Dynamic mode for ESP that allows more freedom, while the electronic insurance policy is still in effect. With that mode, you can again choose from several Drift Control settings, where you can determine the maximum drift angle. And once you’re bursting with confidence, of course you can turn everything off completely.

But why on earth did McLaren send this Artura to the biggest supercar gathering in 2023? In Onyx Black and with an equally boring interior, this model lacks any kind of visual drama. Well, the doors open upwards and the exhaust venting the heat from the engine compartment to the outside is exciting to those who have just passed by.

But the audience continued to think that the Emira is the most expensive car among the three. This is a bigger car – spray it with Papaya Orange and hang a bunch of carbon fiber aero stuff on it, and maybe, just maybe, we can forget for a moment that the Ferrari 296 GTB came a year earlier and this McLaren is also almost everywhere. he kicks him.

Which sports car is the best?

Well, aside from all the differences in price and performance, all three of these cars are fun to drive on the track, with the Toyota being the most fun – and that’s for one of the cheapest cars in this Speed ​​Week. But will any of these guys stand out enough to walk away with the top prize? I’m not too sure…