Toyota is back in the fast lane with the boxer engined GT86 coupe. No, it is not a replacement of the Celica. Rather it is a spiritual successor to the rear-drive Corolla GTs of yesteryear.

Low-slung and with curves in all the right places, this little 2+2 is an eye catcher. Is it a mini Ferrari or an MX-5 with a modern twist? Take your choice – inside the snug cockpit, you are gripped comfortably by the sports seats as you press the engine start button.The flat four engine burbles into life. It sounds rorty, in a subdued sort of way. On the open road it just sings all the way up to 7,000 rpm in each of the six gears. That is a lot of revs for a non-turbo car.

The GT86 is a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru. The famous 2.0-litre boxer engine was better known for its gruff torque but has now been breathed upon to make it much more free revving. In this guise, it produces a useful 197bhp.

That is enough power to take it from rest to 62mph in 8.4 seconds and to give it a potential top speed of 130mph. But it is the responsive way that the power is delivered that adds to the experience. Even when driving around town there is a feeling that this is a bit special.

On the road and around the bends, GT86 feels engaging and enjoyable – and that is what it was meant to be. You get a balanced ‘living’ car feeling on the road – due in part to the rear drive and in part to the standard issue tyres – a contrast to the fat boys fitted to most sports cars.

The more adventurous, and more capable, driver can turn off the traction control to enjoy sports car driving as it used to be.

There may be faster cars out there, but few are as entertaining for their driver. Toyota has brought back the traditional sports car with all the latest technology – everything from heated seats to satellite navigation.