We saw the Toyota TRD GT86 Special Edition at the beginning of the month when it was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Now we’ve got a set of photos and official details to share with you! TRD stands for Toyota Racing Division. The new TRD GT86 is being described as the ‘ultimate road going evolution of the new Toyota GT86 sports car!’
The Toyota TRD GT86 Special Edition was first unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon early in 2012. It doesn’t get any performance upgrades, instead, the package of upgrades includes changes to the suspension, exhaust and aerodynamics. Visually, the TRD GT86 gets a lower front spoiler, with new aerodynamic ‘fins’ ahead of the front wheels. The car also gets wider side skirts, a larger wing and a new diffuser.
The wheels are new 18 inch forged aluminium units fitted with Michelin tyres. Under the bonnet, you’ll also notice a carbon fiber suspension strut brace and a TRD badged oil filler cap. Inside, Toyota fitted a new set of sports “bucket” seats along with a new instrument panel that shows water temperature, oil temperature and pressures. A new red starter button has also been fitted.
Under the skin, upgrades include an adjustable suspension system and thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. The brakes received an upgrade, larger discs get larger 355mm front and 345mm rear grooved and vented rotors. A new exhaust system allows for better response times and a different sound!
The car will go on sale in the UK by January 2013.
According to most critics, the 86 stock chassis already outperforms the power of the motor. Toyota & Subaru’s idea of making a slow car fun was to reduce it’s grip.
So what do these enhancements do..? Make a slow “fun” car feel way more underpowered than it already is.
They need to fast forward a couple of years and release the turbo models already, well Toyota at least, I’ve lost all confidence in Subaru.