Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition unveiled, gets retro styling

MANILA: With everyone assuming the Toyota 86 to be replaced soon, the company surprises with its another new avatar. This time it’s the retro 86 for the 2019 model year. Having known for its athletic looks and pure driving pleasure, the new 86 TRD Special Edition gets sleeker, sportier, and more performance-oriented.

On the outside, the 86 TRD Special Edition gets a body kit that constitutes of side sills, spoiler, diffuser, and refreshed bumpers at the front as well as at the back. Adding more to its external grandeur are components like TRD badges, classic tricolour graphic design on the sides and stainless steel tipped exhaust kit, 17-inch alloys with twisted spokes. Overall, the exteriors look more striking than ever, with some credit to the only colour, Raven Black.

The cabin gets a sporty red and black colour scheme with everything from the steering wheel to door cards, seatbelts, gear shift boot, handbrake lever, and the seats finished in dual-tone, making the limited edition 86 look much gaudier and attractive.

Talking about the features, the retro 86 gets a 7-inch touchscreen display with USB, AUX, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. It also gets a Pioneer audio system with 8 speakers.

On the mechanical front, nothing has been changed and the 86 TRD Limited Edition comes with the same 2.0-litre FA20 naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with the D-4S injection system. The engine produces 205 PS of max power and 211Nm of peak torque when coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The power drops down to 200 PS and torque to 205Nm when it is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission system, which is available as an option.

The 86 Special Edition gets enhanced braking capabilities with Brembo’s large four-piston callipers at the front and two-piston callipers at the back. For even sharper handling, it gets support from the Sachs dampers while the surface-holding grip is provided by the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Each component is a welcome addition on the new and updated 2019 Toyota 86.

As per the reports, the new Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition will be available only in the US, with 1,418 units to be produced in total. Nothing has been said about the model being offered in other parts of the world as yet. We’ll have to wait and see if Toyota plans to do the same in the coming days. Stay tuned with us for more information.