Toyota Adopts a Time-honored Strategy for the 86 - Bring on the Special Edition!

by Steph Willems

March 11th, 2017 10:52 AM

toyota adopts a time honored strategy for the 86 bring on the special edition

With so much online page space taken up by the RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Tacoma and other practical, high-volume Toyota products, it’s often easy to forget that the staid and sensible automaker sells an entry-level, rear-drive sports car.

February marked a significant milestone for the Toyota 86 (née Scion FR-S), sibling to the Subaru BRZ, in that it was the first month since 2013 that didn’t see a year-over-year sales decline. That year was also the high water mark for sales.

No doubt aware of the rebranded coupe’s lagging fortunes, Toyota has adopted a time-honored method of drawing eyes back to its 86. Offer a slightly enhanced version, raise the price, and cap production numbers.

Enter the 2017 Toyota 86 860 Special Edition, which should reach customers by the end of March.

Aglow in Supernova Orange paint bisected by black racing stripes, the new variant carries the 860 moniker for a reason. And yes, you’ve probably already (correctly) guessed why. Toyota plans to sell 860 examples of the orange coupe, and another 860 decked out in Halo White.

Unlike its sister model, the 86 has only been offered in a single trim level. Until now. Basically, the newfound equipment brings the 86 860 Special Edition into the territory occupied by the BRZ Limited. No, there’s no extra horsepower, so 205 hp (in manual transmission guise) is all you’ll get to ferry around the new kit.

That radiant orange finds its way into the interior, where it can be found everywhere in the form of stitching. Joining the new threadwork are such niceties as a push-button ignition, dual zone automatic climate control, heated seats, and a new multi-function display in the gauge cluster that displays performance data. Outside, a black rear spoiler joins black chrome 17-inch wheels to dial up the contrast on this Japanese pumpkin.

Naturally, a small, numbered plaque will inform all occupants that the buyer isn’t faking this special edition.

All of this gear means a sticker price that tops a stock 86 by just under $3,000. Including delivery, a Special Edition will cost you $30,040. Add $720 to that if you’re eager to receive an automatic transmission and five fewer horses under the hood.

[Images: Toyota Motor Corporation]

#ProductPlanning #Sales #Sportscar #Toyota #Toyota86 #Toyota86860SpecialEdition

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3 of 33 comments

Spike_in_Brisbane on Mar 12, 2017

If you are eager to receive an automatic transmission, this is not the car for you. It is fun with the row your own six speed but it is as dull as dishwater with the poorly matched slush box.

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MrIcky on Mar 13, 2017

Is it just the convertible that makes the Miata the answer to everything vs this which gets so much hate heaped upon it? I'm serious- I don't understand. Seems like the same people who appreciate a Miata would appreciate this for about the same reasons.

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- Caboose on Mar 13, 2017
  
  There are many who think they want a Miata but end up buying a coupe from another maker. I'd argue that what makes Miata "The Answer" is the low weight. That allows good handling and great driver involvement. The BRZ/FRS make about the same torque and a good deal more power (at the peak, anyway) but they are also ~400 pounds heavier than the Miata. The Miata offers a really compliant ride for what it is. A lot of reviewers call it soft. Either way, it's designed for crappy country roads in off-the-shelf form. The FRS, OTOH, feels flinty and just... gross. More than just sports-car stiff; it's crashy and yucky. I test-drove the FRS three times in a six-month period in late-'13/early-'14. I drove it again last year. I loved the looks and the interior didn't bother me. I wanted to love it, but I just couldn't pull the trigger because the engine *felt* slow unless you stayed over 4k revs All. The. Time. and the ride was sh177y. I'd've preferred a coupe, but I ended up in a Miata, too. I thought I'd miss the back seat; I don't. I'm not a fan of the super-loud cabin at highway speeds with the top up, but it handles SOOO much better while maintaining a nice ride, too. Nothing I'm saying is new, but I think the 86 would benefit from a rear-seat delete, a lot of weight loss, and the I-4 from the Camry or Corolla (or the WRX engine), if they can make one of those fit. If Toyota insists on having the 86 compete price-wise with the V6 pony cars, it'll have to go like them, too, which means a sub-5.0s 0-60.
  
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