Toyota TRD GT86 UK bound

The Toyota TRD GT86 – a titivated GT86 – is heading for the UK as a special edition of Toyota’s new sports car.

The Toyota GT86 (and, for that matter, the Subaru BRZ) is exactly the sort of car Toyota should be building in the 21st century; good looking, fun and affordable, it fills a niche Toyota have long been absent from.

The only drawback has been a feeling that the GT86 could be more aggressive than it is and, to a degree, the Toyota TRD GT86 fixes that.

The Toyota TRD GT86 is being launched in the UK in January 2013 and is, say Toyota, the ultimate road-going evolution of the GT86.

What the TRD GT86 gets is the looks many hoped the GT86 would get out of the box. There’s a new lower spoiler at the front, side skirts and a big wing out back as well as a new set of good-looking 18″ alloys.

Inside there’s a new set of sports seats and extra instruments – including an oil temperature gauge and pressure gauges – plus a a big red ‘Start’ button. All very butch.

Under the skin TRD has had a play with the chassis with a new adjustable suspension setup, bigger roll bars, a new set of brakes and a sports exhaust for better engine response and aural sensation.

Sadly, the TRD GT86 is writing a cheque it can’t cash. There is no power boost at all – not even an ECU tweak, never mind forced induction – so the TRD GT86 still has the peaky delivery and modest 0-62mph of 7.5 seconds the regular GT86 has (and don’t even think of an auto GT86 which is even slower).

Let’s hope the Toyota TRD GT86 really is the ultimate road going GT86 – but just for now.