Thursday 22nd June 2023

New Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition has us at hello

Probably we should be thankful that the GR86 is still on sale in the UK. But things are so much better elsewhere

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It seems Toyota really does enjoy trying our patience. Or at any rate, it gives with one hand, and takes away with another. No sooner did it acknowledge that we’re getting some additional volume in the UK (huzzah!) than it announced that Gazoo Racing will deliver special edition models to the rest of the world that we’ll almost certainly never see. And that includes a GR86 Trueno Edition that we’ve immediately fallen in love with. 

As you'd expect, the limited edition model harks back to the AE86, the twin-cam-powered, rear-drive belter that became a legend thanks to its dual preference for 7,500rpm and controlled oversteer. While the eighties liftback was all about straight edges from a styling point of view, it isn’t hard to see why Toyota considers the GR86 something of a spiritual successor - hence the black-wrapped hood, the black Trueno Edition graphic, and (yes) the black painted duckbill spoiler. Even the black metallic 10-spoke wheels are unique to the special edition. 

And in case someone doesn’t get the two-tone reference from that little lot, there’s a Trueno Edition badge front and back. There are additional badges inside, although you probably won’t notice them because Toyota has opted to trim the sport seats in ‘attention-grabbing red leather’ with stitching elsewhere to match. It’s all rather lovely - and limited to ‘only’ 860 units for the US market. 

If that weren’t enough to have you rolling your eyes in frustration, the firm has also announced a GR86 Performance Package that will be standard fit on the Trueno, but also available to spec as an add-on elsewhere in the range. This delivers no more power, although it does buy you uprated ZF Sachs dampers and Brembo brakes, both tuned by Gazoo with, ‘the aim of maximizing handling, ride comfort, and brake system consistency.’ Deep sigh. 

Still, Toyota has completely forgotten about the Old World. In recognition of the Supra’s presence in motorsport - specifically reaching 100 production units of the GT4 version it launched back in 2020 - it will introduce a new GR Supra ‘GT4 100th Edition Tribute’ in Europe. 

Sure, it’s not quite as cool as the Trueno Edition, but it does come in an exclusive shade of Plasma Orange and because it’s based on the reworked 340hp manual derivative, there’s no question you’re getting the best version of the Supra. And it’ll be exclusive, too - inevitably just 100 units will be built. Is it the special edition we want? No. But we just have to accept that Toyota moves in mysterious ways these days. 

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• Toyota confirms additional GR86 stock for the UK
• Toyota GR86 | PH Favourite Car of 2022

[Jon_S_Rally]

Can't say the Trueno visual packages does much for me but, regardless of what we think of it, it's further evidence of how the UK is slipping down the priority list for manufacturers when it comes to interesting cars. There was a time when the UK got the pick of the bunch, with Renault developing cars like the Clio Trophy specifically for the UK.

Now we just get limited numbers and mega prices. What a shame.

[xu5]

Duck tail spoiler rather than Duck bill I would have thought?

[filski666]

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

[flukey5]

Jon_S_Rally said:

Can't say the Trueno visual packages does much for me but, regardless of what we think of it, it's further evidence of how the UK is slipping down the priority list for manufacturers when it comes to interesting cars. There was a time when the UK got the pick of the bunch, with Renault developing cars like the Clio Trophy specifically for the UK.

Now we just get limited numbers and mega prices. What a shame.

I wouldn't get so jaded. There's a reason this is only for foreign markets. The car simply can't be registered in the UK from 2024 due to our compliance with EU safety regulations (I believe the bonnet is too low, among a couple other petty bits).

Toyota is currently importing as many cars as it can before this deadline, and any special editions would probably arrive after 2024 and therefore have to be returned to manufacturer. Production is currently maxed out with even US customers on waiting lists. Pulling cars off the line for special editions would delay UK arrival dates dangerously close to the deadline.

The UK spec is actually pretty good and not really any more expensive than other markets. I get mine in September.

[Evil.soup]

filski666 said:

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

Best post I have seen in many moons!! LOL!!

[Nish Gnackers]

Article said:

"hence the black-wrapped hood"

Is that a district of New York ?

[nismo48]

Nish Gnackers said:

Article said:

"hence the black-wrapped hood"

Is that a district of New York ?

[fantheman80]

The brakes on the uk car do look weedy through the spokes so the brembos would be very welcome. Ah well.

[MrGeoff]

Saw a couple of these on the road the other day for the first time and have to say they look great. I wish I were in a position to buy one because, for what it is, it's a great car. Thankful manufacturers still make cars like this. Toyota seem to be holding it down all on their own in this segment when all other manufacturers have deserted it.

[T1berious]

filski666 said:

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

Have another LOL!

[gruppeb86]

Nish Gnackers said:

Article said:

"hence the black-wrapped hood"

Is that a district of New York ?

I'd keep well away from there in your imaginary Trueno Edition. Failing that, you can drift your way out of trouble, providing you have the skills of course.

[gruppeb86]

filski666 said:

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

I like the application of detail to prove wrong from right

+ I assume I got that the right way around too!?

[Ron240]

filski666 said:

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

This post deserves a whole thread of its own.

[Robertb]

Ron240 said:

filski666 said:

what is this thing nowadays with calling ducktail spoilers duckBILL spoilers? where did that come from and why? I meant, they LITERALLY look like a duck's tail and go on the back of a car - whereas they look nothing like a duck's bill and don't go on the front....

I mean look -it's not hard, is it?

This post deserves a whole thread of its own.

Indeed. It shall be considered a reference when the term duckbill is used erroneously.

[bobsthaname]

Be weary of oil pan gasket sealant nuking your engine or recently discovered oil starvation in hard corners. Toyota should've designed this car themselves and never allowed Subaru to engineer it given they haven't made a true performance car in decades.