Watch the world’s fastest GT86 do 250mph

When Toyota’s engineers first sat down to make the humble GT86, they outlined three key elements to define the new creation: no turbo, no 4WD, narrow tyres. 

Being front-engined, rear-drive and powered by a tiddly 2.0-litre flat-four, it’s raison d’être is cheap, accessible sideways fun.

Unfortunately, EKanoo Racing – the same people behind this bonkers quick GT-R – didn’t get the memo.

The Bahrain-based drag team went to the absolute opposite end of the spectrum by ripping out the engine, replacing it with a turbocharged inline-six 2JZ with many, many horsepowers, fitting massive 10.5-inch rubber and making its sole purpose in life to go ridiculously fast in a straight line.

They succeeded. As the Camaro-based Pro Modified-style import dragster recently did a 5.774 quarter mile at 247mph. We’re guessing that’s about as close as you can get to that trippy black hole scene in Interstellar while still being attached to planet Earth.

Gary White – a man who we’re guessing owns a very dense set of man veg – was in the hot seat for the run. And, as you can see from the footage, because of a wiggle halfway through, it was far from perfect.

Even so, the run above was enough to make the GT86 the world’s fastest car in its class. But we’re guessing there’s some more time to be shaved off.