Toyota's New 205bhp, TRD-Tweaked GT86 Will Cut Your Lap Times

America has been gifted a new special edition Toyota 86 for the 2019 model year, and it comes with some speed-boosting upgrades.

The lightweight sports car has gained the TRD Special Edition model, described as the ‘Ultimate Performance’ 86. Brembo brakes all round, Sachs dampers, a TRD body styling kit and Michelin Pilot Sport tyres all give the divisive 2+2 a big advantage over the standard car, especially on track, where lap times should be faster and more consistent.

The standard, US-spec engine remains, so that’s a 205bhp output (since MY2017) versus the 197bhp we get in the European GT86. It’s backed in this car by a TRD exhaust and should sound a whisker fruitier.

Keen-eyed CTzens will note that the TRD’s spec is very similar to that of the Club Series Blue Edition GT86 that was confirmed for the UK market two months ago. Four-piston Brembo calipers at the front with matching two-piston items at the back haul the 86 up even more effectively, with greater resistance to fade.

Those Pilot Sport 4 tyres, in size 215/40R18, add a butt tonne more cornering grip and would be perfect for circuit days as well as your favourite winding mountain pass.

Only 1418 will be built, all in the same high spec but with a choice of colours including the new Neptune paint option and a red-on-black interior. Standard kit covers heated leather front seats, dual-zone air conditioning and keyless entry, while the options list still contains the sluggish six-speed automatic gearbox for some reason. We’re not against autos; it’s just that auto is a horrible choice for this car.

US buyers can order the 86 TRD Special Edition from August, with basic retail prices starting at $32,420.