I’m at an age now where driving around in anything sportier than a five-year-old Citroen Picasso is considered symptomatic of a mid-life crisis so it came as no surprise this week when I found myself on receiving end of more than my fair share of sympathetic looks, pitying sighs and scathing ridicule.

I must admit I expected nothing less when the Toyota GT86 Aero arrived at our offices. The GT86 is the Subaru BRZ’s identical twin. There are a few subtle differences between the two cars, but strip them of their badges and, from the outside at least, they’d be impossible to tell apart.

The Aero version of the GT86 is the exception, however, resplendent as it is in its bold – some might say brash – body kit. New front, side and rear skirts and a huge rear wing that looks as if it’s been lifted straight off a Subaru WRX are complemented by anthracite 18in Ultraleggera alloy wheels.

I like it, but then despite my advancing years I remain a small kid inside. The addition of the 18in wheels in particular – the standard car runs on 16in – gives the GT86 a much more purposeful profile.

The basic cars, with their long noses and stubby tails, have a traditional sports-car look. The extra bodywork is purely cosmetic and Toyota have, wisely, left all the other important bits well alone.

What that means is you still get a driver-focused, beautifully balanced sports car that cannot fail to leave you with a smile on your face.

The 2.0-litre Boxer engine – chosen for its low centre of gravity – produces the same 197bhp, the 0-62mph sprint still takes 7.7 seconds and the motor still loves to be revved all the way to the 7,500rpm red line.

The throttle is crisp and responsive and, while the short-throw gearshift is accurate, a nice positive wrist is needed to maximise the gear changes. The exhausts' note can sound a little flat until you start working the engine hard and it starts to beef up nicely.

Toyota have dedicated a lot of effort to ensuring that there’s fun to be found in the GT86, but the driver still has his work cut out to extract it all however, there’s no denying it’s worth the effort.

The suspension is firm. Well, very firm. Around town the rock-hard ride can be wearing while at speed the lack of insulation makes normal conversation all but impossible but, point the GT86 in the direction of a B road and suddenly the chassis comes alive.

The GT86 corners flat thanks to the firm suspension while the beautifully weighted, accurate steering provides plenty of feedback. The brakes are strong but progressive, which builds confidence if you’re driving quickly.

The cabin isn’t the most luxurious, and some of the plastics are on the hard side but the design of the dashboard leaves the driver in no doubt that he’s behind the wheel of a sports car. Despite the quality of some of the materials coming up a little short it’s a well thought out and driver-friendly environment.

The sports seats are firm and supportive, with excellent lateral support from shoulder to thigh. They are set low which makes climbing in and out an ungainly exercise for all but the most sprightly among us. Visibility, which is hampered by the low seating position, is impaired even more by the huge rear wing, but I didn’t find it to be a big issue given the car’s relatively compact dimensions. There are two seats in the rear, but I think that the term seat would have to be applied very, very loosely.

The boot is a reasonable 243-litres, however, which is more than enough for the weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags.

The Toyota GT86 doesn’t try too hard to be friends and there are times when you’ll love its no-compromise design, but there will probably be times when you’ll love it a little less. You’ve certainly got to admire Toyota - and Subaru, of course - for building this car. There are a myriad of hot hatches that are faster, more frugal, more comfortable and more flexible but, then, that’s the beautiful simplicity of the GT86. If you’re buying this car, you’re not thinking about practicality, or economy, or emissions, you’re buying it because you want to have fun. And on that score, you won’t be disappointed.

Toyota GT86 Aero

Price: £27,495

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Boxer

Power: 197bhp

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Acceleration (0-62mph): 7.7sec

Maximum speed: 140mph

Urban: 27.2mpg

Extra urban: 44.1mpg

Combined: 36.2mpg

Emissions (CO2): 192g/km

For more information about Toyota cars click here.