Thursday 10th April 2014

Toyota GT86 facelift details

Japanese market tweaks should make it to Britain soon. No more power, before you ask

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All has been a little quiet on the GT86/BRZ front recently. After the launch excitement two years ago, then the raft of modified cars, Toyota's TRD and the canned cabrio, there hasn't been an awful lot going on. But there's a facelift on the way with a few little nerdy details for us to pore over.

BBS wheels and new rubber mooted for update

After power, wheels and tyres appear the biggest discussion topic on the GT86. Are the eco tyres really a discerning choice? Is a 215-section still too wide for fun? And why do the rims look so minging?

Toyota's solution, at least from what can be seen so far, is to introduce a new set of 18-inch BBS forged aluminium wheels (still not great, are they?) on Bridgestone Potenza rubber. Despite concerns, many positive reports have come back on the GT86 TRD with more performance orientated rubber thanks to improved predictability. Perhaps something similar is to become standard.

The handling should be further improved by the addition of Sachs dampers to the GT86. Their performance will be augmented by a stiffer structure; apparently this has been achieved simply through using bigger bolts attaching the suspension but we suspect there may be a few extra tweaks announced soon.

Sachs dampers also said to be part of package

There are a few other minor alterations inside and out (apparently the interior has more carbon effect trim) but in the spirit of the GT86 this facelift is about the dynamics. With the revised car due on sale in Japan in June, it should be on sale here before the end of the year. We can't wait to try it.

[Source: autoevolution]

[elvismiggell]

I wonder how many current owners will moan that they're not getting the upgrades?

[Tuvra]

Everyone knows what they need to do, turbo/super charge it.

[crispyshark]

no turbo/blower....no?

Ok people, nothing to see here, move it along....

[BILL PAYER]

Having just looked at the monstrosity that they are calling a Subaru STI the sooner both companies give this a turbo and four wheel the better imo .

[Captain Muppet]

I'm going to look at an RX7 Turbo II tomorrow, because I can remember when 200bhp in your 2+2 coupe was enough to make it fun, and I don't have the cash for a GT86.

My last RX7 had 225s all round and you could still slide it around with only 160bhp.

[davidcharles]

...we knew this would end up as a "what no more power?" thread...we've all gone power mad...its Clarkson's fault

[soad]

Tuvra said:

Everyone knows what they need to do, turbo/super charge it.

Will it ever happen, officially?

[Conscript]

So:
- New wheels which are even worse than the current ones
- New tyres...is this really a "facelift"? I'll be swapping the tyres anyway.
- New dampers/stiffer construction - Hard to comment on at the moment. I'm perfectly happy with the current setup though.
- More carbon effect interior trim. Yuck.

Given the only part of the car I'm not keen on is the wheels, and they replacements for the facelift look even more awful, I don't think I'll be rushing out to replace my current model just yet. I'll just spend a few hundred quid to refurb the wheels in silver

[stedale]

soad said:

Will it ever happen, officially?

near the end of the model's life probably, to re-inject some excitement.

[Captain Muppet]

stedale said:

soad said:

Will it ever happen, officially?

near the end of the model's life probably, to re-inject some excitement.

Yeah, to boost sales up to 370Z levels.

[philmots]

The wheels in that white one look great.. Are they coming standard?

But yeah... Needs more power. I'm surprised they've done nothing about it yet.

[Hub]

philmots said:

The wheels in that white one look great.. Are they coming standard?

That is the limited edition TRD model which is already out!

[Passeyfier]

Too many exhaust tips for the power.

[LasseV]

Why would this need more power? You can add it afterwards if you wan't but just now it is perfect sports car!

Hmm, well see how good those new dampers are. I have a high hopes.

[Conscript]

philmots said:

The wheels in that white one look great.. Are they coming standard?

But yeah... Needs more power. I'm surprised they've done nothing about it yet.

Why would they? The car has never been touted as a high performance car. The whole point is that it's fun, engaging to drive and accessible, all for a fairly reasonable price that can be enjoyed on the road at legal speeds. To add more power might end up undoing that whole ethos.

[elvismiggell]

Conscript said:

Why would they? The car has never been touted as a high performance car. The whole point is that it's fun, engaging to drive and accessible, all for a fairly reasonable price that can be enjoyed on the road at legal speeds. To add more power might end up undoing that whole ethos.

Agreed. Although I wouldn't necessarily object to more power, I'm pretty sure I'd be alright with it as it is.

For me canning the convertible was the big mistake. I think a decent, fun car sitting between a Boxster/Z4 and an MX5 could have been very interesting.

[Conscript]

Gaz. said:

Toyota seem pretty determined not to give this car a nice set of wheels.

Indeed. I think it's a stunning looking car, but the wheels have never been more than "okay" to me.

I'm considering having mine refurbished in silver. They look much better all in one colour. I'm just wondering how it will look on a white car (only seen the silver wheels on an orange one).

[USABRZ]

I just got my summer tires back on, the weather is getting warm; I've been considering a used Cayman for a while now but I honestly think as a daily driver the brz might be more fun. The car's limits are just perfectly suited to reasonable speed fun on the commute. I'm in the camp of hoping the thing just be cheaper, rather than more powerful.

[NXXN]

Fit RED lights Toyota.
It's not 1998 anymore.

[vincevega]

I never liked the standard wheels they just look insubstantial, especially on the darker coloured cars. The two tone finish is to blame. I've seen the standard wheels painted silver and they look much better - at least to my eyes.

Happened to see this BRZ with Subaru Forester wheels on the OEM wheel swap thread - suits the car well in my opinion.