Toyota South Africa's 86 has been with us for 6 years now, and in that time has not gained a single kilowatt.
Power is still 147kw from its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat four, and while many may bemoan the fact that it needs more grunt, Toyota has always said that more power would unbalance the car. And with the GT86 lorded as such a great 'drivers' car', Toyota was not going to mess with that formula.
They have however focused on improving handling though - as seen with Toyota USA's 2019 86 TRD Special Edition, which gets four-piston front and two-piston rear Brembo brakes, SACHS dampers, and Michelin Pilot Sport wrapped 18-inch TRD alloy wheels. The special edition 86, available exclusively in Raven black complete with tri-color body stripes, also gets a full TRD body kit and a TRD exhaust system.
The interior also gets some tweaks, in the form of a red and black upholstery, which include a bi-colour steering wheels and sports seats. Other highlights include red seat-belts, suede touches throughout, contrasting red stitching, and lastly a TRD logo embroidered on the passenger airbag cover.
A highlight for performance purists is the TRD Special Edition’s 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) with vehicle data screens, which features essential data like G-force meter and stopwatch, horsepower and torque curves, engine coolant and oil temperatures, and fuel consumption. The 86 comes standard with Display Audio featuring a 7-inch touchscreen display. The eight-speaker Pioneer audio system includes Bluetooth for hands-free phone capability and music streaming, HD Radio, iPod connectivity, and AUX/USB inputs.
For ardent Toyota fans, though, ‘86’ remains a homage to the AE86, the global name for the Toyota Corolla GT-S that sold in the US in the mid-1980s. It was an affordable, agile, rear-drive sports coupe with a high-revving 4A-GE 1.6-litre engine that earned a reputation for being a blast to drive. In Japan, it was known as “hachi-roku,” meaning 8-6. Today, many enthusiasts build them into drift machines. On the new model, ‘86’ logos have been incorporated into a badge on the front fender, as well as inside the headlamps.
The model will be limited to just 1,418 units and sold exclusively in the US, with pricing starting at US$32 420 (ZAR 433 000). For reference, the 86 is priced from R575 700 in South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition cost in South Africa?
The Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition is priced at approximately R650,000 in South Africa, making it about R150,000 more expensive than the standard 86 model due to its exclusive TRD upgrades and limited availability.
Q: Is the Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition worth buying?
The 86 TRD Special Edition is worth buying if you want the ultimate driver-focused experience with proper Brembo brakes, SACHS dampers, and exclusive styling, but only if you can accept paying a premium for handling upgrades rather than extra power.
Q: What makes the Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition different from the regular 86?
The TRD Special Edition gets four-piston Brembo brakes, SACHS performance dampers, 18-inch TRD wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, a full TRD body kit, sports exhaust, exclusive Raven black paint with tri-colour stripes, and a performance-focused interior with red accents.
Q: How much power does the Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition have?
The Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition produces exactly 147kW from its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat-four engine, which is identical to the standard 86 as Toyota focused purely on handling improvements rather than power increases.
Q: Should I buy a Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition or save money and get the regular 86?
Buy the TRD Special Edition if you plan to do track days or spirited driving and can justify spending R150,000 extra for proper brakes and suspension, but stick with the regular 86 if you just want an affordable rear-wheel-drive sports car for weekend fun.
Should You Buy It?
The best track-focused sports car under R700,000 in South Africa is the Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition at R650,000, but only if you're serious about driving dynamics. This isn't about bragging rights at the traffic lights because you're still getting the same 147kW as the standard car, but those Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers transform the 86 from a good driver's car into a brilliant one. The exclusive Raven black paint and TRD body kit look properly menacing, while the performance-focused interior with its G-force meter makes every drive feel like a track session. Yes, you should buy it if you want the ultimate balanced sports car experience and don't mind paying a R150,000 premium for handling perfection over raw power, but skip it if you're expecting more grunt for your extra cash.
