Friday 17th October 2014

Toyota GT86 facelift details

Lower price, more models and new options for Toyota's MY15 GT86

---

Toyota was never going to let Subaru sell the BRZ at £2.5K less than a GT86 for long. The most important news of the GT86 update, bigger even than the carbon pack, the shark fin antenna and the Giallo special edition is the lower price: a Toyota GT86 is now available for £22,495.

Yes, this is the revised car. Honest

Sort of. That price is as a result of a £500 'early-bird' discount from Toyota on the 'Primo' GT86 (nice to see naff Japanese trim levels haven't disappeared). After the unspecified early-bird period has finished that car will cost £22,995.

Toyota describes the Primo as a 'pure-bred' GT86. It is manual only and lacks the regular car's rear spoiler (probably a good thing), push-button start (a key? How primitive) and is on 17-inch wheels rather than 18s.

The 'classic GT86', as Toyota describes it, remains as before at £24,995. Further equipment gains from the Primo include cruise control, climate control and automatic headlights.

Annoyingly Toyota hasn't yet released an image of the GT86 Aero yet. This isn't a turbocharged front-wheel drive special (one for the Saab fans) but instead a GT86 with a bodykit and different wheels. Hmm. You certainly won't miss it when the Aero does arrive, Toyota describing the bodykit as 'striking' with a large rear spoiler and skirts all round. The wheels are 18-inch OZ Ultraleggeras in a dark anthracite finish.

Price on this one starts with '16'...

Not distinctive enough? Toyota has a solution in the shape of the GT86 Giallo. Yes, that's Giallo as in yellow. Again without pics but the prospect is, er, bold. Just 86 will be made with a black side decal and no-cost extra stripes on the yellow paint. There are some leather seats too. And you thought the GT86 TRD was an odd special...

Both the Aero and Giallo cost £27,495 with the automatic gearbox a £1,000 option on all models bar the Primo. Orders are being taken now with the first cars due over here in January. Used early versions of the GT86 are at £17K if you're tempted. Now feel free to discuss how it's not fast enough!

 

[Jimmm]

As much as I like the GT86 and everything it stands for it sounds like they are clutching at straws with all these "special" editions.