Toyota GT 86 TRD Special Edition, a slightly bittersweet special edition

Born in 2012 under the same body and heart, although wearing different badges, owners and prospective buyers of the Toyota GT 86 and the Subaru BRZ have always asked for some version in which the power of their boxer engine is increased. After six years on the market for both models, and several special editions, the two Japanese companies have paid no attention to their customers’ demands, and it seems that for now things will stay that way.

We last saw this last year, when Subaru announced the BRZ tS, a limited edition for the United States based, in turn, on the limited edition called BRZ tS STI that was destined exclusively for the Japanese market. Meanwhile, Toyota has not reacted in this regard until now, when, just like the BRZ tS, they too will launch their own limited edition in the United States.

American customers of the Toyota will be the only ones able to enjoy this special edition called TRD Special Edition, a limited edition of which the company will build 1,418 units and which will follow the same path as the BRZ tS, with numerous changes affecting both the interior and exterior styling and new configurations that will improve the dynamic behaviour, without any other kind of change in the mechanical section that affects the power we already know.

Starting with the exterior TRD, the division of Toyota responsible for adding that spicy touch to the Japanese firm’s models, we see that it was in charge of designing the aesthetic kit. Yes, purely aesthetic: it offers no advantage whatsoever in terms of aerodynamics, and it consists of new specific bumpers, skirts with designs for the occasion, a new rear diffuser and a spoiler integrated into the rear hatch. To give colour to the bodywork, the Raven Black has been chosen, which will be the only colour available, with the discordant note provided by the discreet retro-style side vinyls in three colours.

Moving now into the cabin, we can also see that aesthetic changes have been made. The main note is set by the use of mostly black, with red providing the contrast; this colour combination appears on the steering wheel and on the sports seats upholstered in suede, while red appears alone on the seatbelts, suede has also been added to the dashboard trim, and the TRD logo is embroidered on the passenger side.

The dynamic behaviour of the Toyota GT 86 TRD Special Edition is also improved in order to provide greater driving fun, and this is handled by the new Sachs dampers, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, and a new braking system for both the front and rear axles, signed by Brembo. The final touch is the new exhaust system designed by TRD, with huge polished steel rear outlets.

Mechanically, as I mentioned at the beginning, unfortunately there are no changes, so the power continues to come from the four-cylinder 2,000 cc boxer engine, which delivers 205 CV and a maximum torque of 211 Nm. The Toyota GT 86 TRD Special Edition will go on sale at a starting price of 32,420 dollars, which at current exchange rates amounts to almost 28,000 euros.