Toyota 86 upgrades announced for Australia

Good news if you want a Toyota 86 Limited Edition, but aren’t a fan of orange.

Toyota Australia has announced it will make available a kit of performance upgrade previously only available on its run of 86 ‘LE’ cars, of which only 60 were created.

Now, all four versions (GT and GTS in both transmissions) can be fitted with the combination of parts.

Though the kit doesn’t change the 2.0-litre flat four engine’s 152kW output, it does sharpen the 86’s driving characteristics.

In the kit is a set of larger Brembo performance brakes, re-tuned Sachs dampers, and exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.

Recommended retail pricing for the kit has been set by Toyota at $2200 for the GTS and $2900 for the GT, which Toyota says “takes into account the kit's inclusion of bigger wheels than the standard GT 16-inch alloys.

For buyers of a new GTS, the performance parts kit can be optioned with a choice of the new ‘Moon Slate’ exterior colour (pictured), which also includes red interior trim highlights, black wheels, exterior mirrors and rear spoiler.

This variant of the 86 will cost buyers $39,400, though a regular 86 GT manual will cost $31,440 with the performance parts fitted, while an 86 GTS manual will sell for $36,640.

Also included in the kit, however, is an ‘infotainment’ upgrade which adds previously absent sat-nav to the GT and an updated multimedia system across all models.

Toyota Australia sales and marketing head Tony Cramb says he feels the kit will appeal to the enthusiast audience for an “already finely balanced and popular rear-drive sports car.”

“We've chosen two renowned performance suppliers - brands that are used in Formula 1 - to expand the 86 coupe's credentials as a true driver's car,” Cramb says.

“These performance components will add to driver involvement and enjoyment, whether it is on the road or the track.”

Toyota Australia says it is approaching the ‘20,000-sold locally’ mark since the 86 was introduced here.