Currently reading: Hotter GT86 confirmed for UK sales
Styling tweaks, a sports exhaust and bigger brakes for 2013 coupé, but only a minor power increase

A more focused version of the Toyota GT86 will be offered in the UK from early next year, after the car’s public debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Toyota GT86 TRD — seen here in this exclusive set of images — will represent the first time that Toyota GB has officially offered Toyota Racing Development upgrades on a UK model. The car will be sold through flagship Toyota dealerships, and is designed to showcase the potential of TRD in upgrading Toyota products.

The full TRD package is likely to push the cost of the range-topping GT86 to around £40,000, and the special model is likely to be limited 
to just 86 units. 

The GT86 TRD was previewed at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, but the Goodwood car is representative of the model that will reach the UK in 2013. 

The changes over a standard GT86 include new wheels and tyres, bigger brakes, a new exhaust and a bodykit.

However, the suspension remains unchanged and the 2.0-litre engine is largely untouched over the standard car’s. No turbocharger or supercharger has been fitted, with additions restricted to new oil and air filters. A small power upgrade, of around 10bhp over the regular car’s 197bhp, has been achieved by fitting the new sports exhaust.

However, styling changes help differentiate the GT86 TRD from the more humble base car. There’s a full bodykit, including new front and rear spoilers, flared wheelarches, new side skirts and reprofiled, more muscular bumpers both front and rear. There’s also a body-coloured diffuser, plus special TRD badging.

The new black 18-inch alloys are one of the biggest changes over the standard GT86. They wear 225/40 R18 Dunlop Sport Maxx rubber rather than the skinny 215/45 17s taken from the Prius.

The GT86 TRD’s stopping power has been significantly increased thanks to the addition of upgraded brake discs and calipers. It is understood that the bulk of the cost of the upgrade package is due to the new brakes.

Interior updates are minimal, with the biggest change being a short-throw gearlever for the six-speed manual gearbox. Special TRD badging also features in the cabin.

There’s no word yet on the kerb weight of GT86 TRD, but the upgrades are likely to result in an increase over that of the standard car.

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

This light, uncomplicated coupé promises so much. Can the Toyota GT86 deliver?

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

Join the debate

Comments
13
Add a comment…
Flash Harry 27 June 2012

I hope this price is a

I hope this price is a mistake.Too expensive over the standard model.The aftermarket specialists will be rubbing their hands in glee of course.

Orangewheels 27 June 2012

I suppose this isnt just a

I suppose this isnt just a concept so that Toyota can show real production capabilities, but like plenty of other have said, £15k for a bodykit and bigger brakes is the sort of upgrade cost for a £100k supercar, not a £25k budget sportscar. Or maybe they will make nice demo vehicles for Toyota dealership general managers to drive about in?

kcrally 27 June 2012

40 grand seema bit expensive

40 grand seems a bit expensive for a sports exhaust and some bigger brakes, on this Toyota GT86 TRD.