TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced today that it has upgraded the GR86 for improved turning performance and easier upper-limit handling, deepening the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle. Orders are now being accepted by Toyota vehicle dealers across Japan, with sales set to launch on August 1. TGR also announced today the start of a purchasing lottery that runs to July 28 for the RZ “Ridge Green Limited”, a limited special-edition model that augments the GR86’s exterior color lineup with the newly added color Ridge Green and sports exclusive bronze wheels and exclusive interior embroidery. Limited sales of 200 units are to start from around October.
RZ “Ridge Green Limited” (6MT)
The GR86 came to life in 2021 through joint development with Subaru Corporation (Subaru). While sharing its base with the Subaru BRZ, the GR has proved popular with many customers as a car that delivers the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response, and outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance.
The upgraded GR86 leverages insights gained by competing in motorsports, in which TGR continues to enter the GR86. Feedback from professional racecar drivers, who hone cars in the extreme environment of racing, has been utilized to deepen the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle. Enhancements include improved shock absorber damping characteristics and heightened electric power steering (EPS) control, modified throttle characteristics (for vehicles with a manual transmission), and an expanded engine-speed tolerance range during downshifts (for vehicles with an automatic transmission) for, among others, a better sense of contact with the ground, better steering response, and better linearity.
TGR intends to continue driving forward its initiatives for creating ever-better motorsports-bred cars.
■ Key innovations
1. Driving performance
Manual transmission and automatic transmission vehicles
- Shock absorber damping characteristics have been improved for a better sense of contact with the ground while maintaining the direct handling response typical of a sports car.
- Anticipating the use of the upgraded GR86 in various motorsports, EPS characteristics have been improved to create a car with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness that interacts with the driver. The result is agile response performance without jeopardizing steering stability, coupled with an improved steering sensation at the upper limits of performance.
Manual transmission vehicles
- Engine torque control has been modified for easier blipping, which is often demanded in motorsports. Also, throttle control has been adopted to obtain a more direct response to accelerator operation, improving ease of handling at the upper limits of performance.
Automatic transmission vehicles
- Responding to requests from customers who participate in motorsports with automatic transmission vehicles, the engine-speed tolerance range during downshifting has been expanded, enabling sporty driving supported by a wider torque band.
2. Mechanisms
- Newly available tire pressure warning system＊1
- Newly available daytime running lights＊2
■ Limited special-edition RZ “Ridge Green Limited” main specifications (Base vehicle: RZ trim level)
| Specifications | Special edition | Base vehicle (RZ) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior | Exterior body panels | Ridge Green | Ridge Green added to exterior color lineup | |
| Wheels color | Bronze paint | Matte black paint | ||
| Interior | Seat upholstery | Black with perforations and tan accents | Silver with perforations and gunmetal accents＊3 | |
| Front seat | Black & tan | Black | ||
| Instrument panel | Cast black paint | Satin silver | ||
| Center console decoration |
Dial heater switch + piano touch switch + ornament |
Cast black paint | Satin silver | |
| Vehicle Stability Control off switch + driving control mode switch (for automatic transmission vehicles) + TRACK switch |
Black | Satin silver | ||
| Door trim (shoulder pad portion of driver’s and front-passenger seats) |
Exclusive, limited special-edition embroidery | ― | ||
| Stitching (steering wheel, shifter boot, parking brake lever and boot, front seats, door armrests) |
Tan | Silver＊3 | ||
| Mechanisms | Brakes | Brembo ventilated disc brakes | ＊4 | |
| Shock absorbers | SACHS (ZF) shock absorbersー | ＊4 | ||
18x7 1/2J aluminum wheels
■ Prices＊ (JPY) for the upgraded GR86 (including consumption tax) and sales method
| Trim level | Manual transmission model | Automatic transmission model | Sales method |
|---|---|---|---|
| RZ | 3,518,000 | 3,616,000 | Sold at Toyota vehicle dealers across Japan |
| SZ | 3,195,000 | 3,293,000 | |
| RC | 2,936,000 | - |
＊Prices may vary in different regions; recycling and other fees are payable separately.
■ Prices (JPY) for the special-edition RZ “Ridge Green Limited” (including consumption tax) and sales method
| Trim level | Manual transmission model | Automatic transmission model | Sales method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special-edition model RZ “Ridge Green Limited” |
3,897,000 | 3,995,000 | Purchasing lottery for a limited number of 200 units at GR Garage locations Lottery application period: July 12–28 |
＊1 Standard on the RZ and SZ trim levels
＊2 Standard on the RZ trim level
＊3 Red stitching in the case of selecting the available black & red interior color, which also features seat upholstery with red perforations and accents and a red door center ornament.
＊4 Manufacturer option
＊5 Ultrasuede® is a registered trademark of Toray Industries, Inc.
For more information on the GR86, please click the following:
https://toyotagazooracing.com/gr/86/
https://toyota.jp/gr86/ (in Japanese)
More information on the GR86 special-edition RZ “Ridge Green Limited” can be found here:
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/gr/86/ridge_green_limited/ (in Japanese)
