Toyota 86 Limited Edition: South Africa
Bad news Subaru… With the latest Toyota 86 Limited Edition buyers can get a taller rear wing, retuned suspension and updated media centre – and at a cheaper price than its sibling donor. Two years after the smash-hit 86 reached our shores Toyota have brought out a new Limited Edition model, of which 86 models will be sold, and the changes move the car into a style direction which, let’s be honest, it was always headed.
The Toyota 86 Limited Edition’s aero package has been influenced greatly by the early TRD kits and there’s no denying that about R6000 (over a High spec) buys one a lot of exclusivity. Available in either red or white, the Toyota 86 Limited Edition comes with a unique interior pattern of red and black Alcantara applied mostly to the seats but also the steering wheel and shifter – a quality finish that requires no later modifications.
However if you’re late putting your name down for one of these bespoke editions there’s enough reason to consider the latest iteration of Toyota 86, sans the big wing and two-tone leather. You’ll recognise new models by the latest touchscreen media centre with outputs for USB and Bluetooth and that alone redeems our only criticism of earlier models. Apparently new suspension mounts with low-friction oil seals and guide bushings provide the latest Toyota 86 with greater composure but because the bar was already raised to an unreachable height, one has to know the 86 intimately to spot the difference. It rides as sharply as ever and now soaks in bumps with great poise by virtue of the high profile rubber.
High spec models still represent the best value for driving enthusiasts and a smaller rear wing, much like the BRZ’s, is now standard. From behind the wheel, carving up narrow, bumpy and damp pieces of tarmac it’s hard to imagine how Toyota can further improve the recipe… rumours of forced induction won’t seem to go away but having driven one recently at the coast I’m not convinced that it is the answer.
Toyota 86 Limited Edition
Engine displacement: 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol
Power: 147kW
Torque: 205Nm
0-100km/h: 7.6sec
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Drive: RWD
Wheels: 7.5J x 16
Tyres: 205/55R17
Weight: 1240kg
Tank capacity: 50 litres
Consumption: 7.8l/100km (claimed)
Price: R376 100
