Toyota GT86 gets performance upgrades

Despite the much-anticipated arrival of its quicker cousin, the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota hasn’t forgotten its ground-breaking 86, with a few performance upgrades added to the 2019 version.

Sitting almost in a class of its own, the 86 has become synonymous for a bygone era of sports cars, when less was more, and driver pleasure outweighed horsepower.

“When we launched the 86 in 2012, we injected fun to drive excitement into our line-up and brand,” says Toyota New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer, Neeraj Lala.

Since this launch, every upgrade has transformed a great car into an even better car.”

The sporty 2+2 rear wheel drive 86 took its styling and handling cues from Toyota’s classic Sixties and Seventies sports cars and married them with a low centre-of-gravity 2 litre high-revving flat four engine. The engine delivers 152kW when coupled with the 6-speed manual, and 147kW with the 6-speed automatic, more than enough power to provide snappy performance in a car this size.

For 2019, the entry level 86 has been quietly retired and the GT86 upgraded with extra stopping power and specially tuned shock absorbers to boost stability and responsiveness

Mr Lala says the new GT86 continues the proud heritage of dynamic performance with an impressive Brembo braking upgrade.

“Not much beats taking the 2019 GT86 for a run through New Zealand’s twisty back roads.”

The 2019 GT86 gains, as standard, performance items from the former Chris Amon Edition GT86. Larger Brembo brakes with red calipers increase stopping power. The front brake discs have increased in diameter from 294mm to 326mm and are 6mm thicker. The rear discs have increased from 290mm to 316mm and are 2mm thicker.

The addition of SACHS performance dampers sharpen the GT86’s steering response and refines stability. Another upgrade is to the car’s connection to the road: the wheels have been upgraded to 10 spoke gun metallic 17-inch alloys.

Outside, the GT86 is unchanged apart from the addition of a new colour – Magnetite Grey – which replaces the former Tornado Grey. The GT86 is available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

“Toyota is committed to investing in sports cars as they feed the excitement into the rest of our models,” says Mr Lala.

“86 and Supra are creating a new buzz amongst our customers and staff at Toyota stores.”

Toyota’s Drive Away Pricing for the 2019 GT86 is $48,990 (manual transmission) and $49,990 (automatic transmission).

The Toyota Drive-away pricing includes all on road costs; WOF, registration, a full tank of fuel, the Toyota Care Service Advantage fixed price servicing package, floor mats, and the three years or 100,000 kms warranty.


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