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Toyota SA upgrades its popular sports car: Enhanced GT86 gains motorsport-inspired tweaks

Toyota’s 86 sports car receives motorsport-inspired tweaks as well as a revised range. 

The local line-up has been revised to consist of a single derivative based on the high grade 6-speed manual package. The previously offered ‘standard grade’ and automatic- transmission equipped ‘high grade’ variants have been discontinued from the local line-up.

GALLERY: 2018 Toyota GT86

The tailoring also includes the addition of a GT86 badge and change of nomenclature to ‘GT86’. The new GT86 retails for R575 700.

Performance boosting upgrades 

The Brembo performance brake package increases the 86's already impressive stopping power and brake endurance with bigger rotors and callipers. The upgrade consists of high performance Ventilated rotors measuring 326mm x 30mm at the front and 316 x 20mm at the rear (compared to 294mm x 24mm and 290mm x 18mm for the standard ‘High-grade’ model). In conjunction with the larger brake rotors, the callipers’ swept area increases by 38% and 6% for the front and rear respectively.

                                                                     Image: Motorpress

Augmenting the 86’s already renowned handling capabilities, the inclusion of Sachs performance dampers boost handling stability and responsiveness. An all-coil suspension consists of MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, both with a stabiliser bar.

Striking appearance and specification

Visual changes comprise black spoiler and dark side-mirrors and new black 17” alloys.
Colour options include white pearl, silver metallic, dark grey metallic, red and blue pearl (black metallic has been discontinued). A striking new ‘bright blue’ colour option has been added to the range, which maximises curb appeal and offsets the black trim detail particularly well.

                                                                        Image: Motorpress

Standard specification includes full LED lighting elements (headlights, taillights and fog lights), keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, seat heating, Alcantara seat -and door trim and TFT multi-information display with digital gauge read out.

A newly fitted touchscreen infotainment system occupies the dashboard – complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Show Plus functionality. This allows users to ‘mirror’ apps on their smartphone and stream both music - and navigation services from apps such as Spotify, Apple Music and Waze, to the vehicle’s audio screen.

In addition, on-board satnav is included as standard. The system also offers Bluetooth and USB interface – all accessible from the steering-mounted switchgear.

Engine remains the same

The model retains its 2.0 litre D-4S Boxer engine delivering 147kW/205Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed close ratio transmission delivering drive to a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) equipped rear transaxle.

                                                                    Image: Motorpress

D-4S (Direct injection and port injection) and four-cam VVTi technologies combine to promote combustion efficiency in a pursuit of both fuel efficiency and performance.

Warranty and service 

The GT86 comes with a 4-year or 60 000km service plan and 3-year or 100 000km Warranty. Customers have the option of upgrading either the service or warranty plans through Toyota Value Service.

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