The Toyota 86 is lovely little machine, offering the simple pleasure of a small, lightweight RWD coupe that’s still relatively affordable for the masses. We said as much in our Driving Impression review a few years back, and our opinion hasn’t changed - we’re still duly impressed by this car’s tossability and fun-loving attitude. Now, Toyota is offering a new limited-run TRD Special Edition, and it promises even sharper handling chops mated with an aggressive and unique aesthetic. And no - it doesn’t come with any extra power. So don’t ask.

Continue reading to learn more about Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition.

2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition

What Makes The Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition Special

The Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition joins the standard 86 and comfort-oriented 86 GT trim levels as the extra-spicy limited-run range-topper of the fun sports machine lineup. And in case you needed another food-themed analogy, here’s a morsel from Toyota’s PR team -

“If USDA Certified Organic had a sports car category, the 2019 86 TRD Special Edition would be its benchmark,” the brand gloats.

Tasty.

Regardless, the TRD Special Edition is framed as the best-performing production 86 in North America. And since it’s important to announce such things, the limited edition comes with a standard TRD body kit, which adds in a new front bumper, new side skirts, a new rear bumper with a diffuser element, and a new spoiler as well. The corners come fitted with alloy wheels measured at 18 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches in width, while a TRD exhaust system with stainless steel tips adds some aural attraction.

You can also get the car in any color you want, just so long as that color happens to be Raven black with a TRD tricolor graphic along the front fenders. The rest of the exterior package is as you’d expect, with standard stuff like LED projector headlights and LED fog lamps.

So it looks more aggressive, that much is obvious. However, the real draw of this thing is still its simplicity and low weight, and Toyota knows it.

“In a competitive field overflowing with less-than-svelte sports cars, therein shines Toyota 86, a stylish 2+2 rear-wheel drive coupe adhering to the fundamentals of automative athleticism: optimal power-to-weight stats, a cunning design, superb balance and feel,” the brand says.

As such, the TRD Special Edition is still lightweight, tipping the scales at a little under 2,800 pounds. Managing the heft is a fresh set of dampers from SACHS, which are designed to “sharpen steering response and refine vehicle stability.” The set-up is once again MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link in the rear.

Complementing the new dampers is a bigger brake package from Brembo, with sizable 12.8-inch discs in front and 12.4-inch discs in the rear. That’s a decent upgrade compared to the 11.6-inch front discs and 11.4-inch rear discs you get on the standard 86. What’s more, the discs come mated to large four-pot calipers in front and two-pot calipers in the rear.

Wrapping the new wheels is a set tires from Michelin, specifically the brand’s Pilot Sport 4 rubber sized at 215/40R18 85Y at all four corners. The Pilot Sport 4 compound was designed with summer performance in mind, and as a result, they add extra grip and help to improve the overall steering feel.

The cabin was also upgraded, with Toyota adding a new red and black steering wheel wrap offset by red contrast stitching. The stock supportive seats complement the look with red and black upholstery, while the instrument cluster gets a suede-like cover for more soft-touch goodness. The TRD logo was added as embroidery to the passenger side instrument panel, and there’s more red contrast stitching elsewhere in the cabin, plus red seatbelts.

The driver’s information screen once again offers a 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display, which includes data like a G-force meter, engine output levels, and more.

And, as if it needs to be said, the powertrain remains bone stock (unless you count the exhaust, which we aren’t). Thus, the 86 TRD Special Edition draws its motivation from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine making 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. As for cog swaps, the six-speed manual is obviously the way to go, but if you fear the third pedal, you can also get it with a six-speed automatic, which just so happens to lower the engine output to 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Serves you right.

Production is limited at 1,418 units. MSRP is set at $32,420, which is nearly $6,000 over the standard model’s $26,445 price tag.

For us, that’s a little too expensive. We like the 86, but for a figure like that, you’ve got some pretty heavy-hitting competition to deal with - you know, like the Civic Type R ($34,700), the Ford Mustang GT ($35,355), and the Dodge Challenger R/T ($33,995). Not that anyone interested in the 86 would get a FWD Civic or a V-8-powered muscle car, but we’re just sayin’ - it ain’t cheap.

Especially without a turbo.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Toyota 86.

Read our driving impressions on the 2017 Toyota 86.

Read more Toyota news.