Toyota GRMN 86 11

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring (GRMN), the brand’s motorsports division, has released full details on its upcoming GRMN 86, a limited-run version of the automaker’s 86 sports car. Only 100 units of the car will be made, and the variant is set to go on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January.

Dubbed the “Ultimate 86,” the GRMN 86 doesn’t just get a bump in aesthetics accompanied by a ludicrous price tag. The car instills various performance upgrades drawn from Gazoo Racing’s experience at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race, so the changes are certainly beyond skin deep.

The GRMN 86, or GRMN86-FRSPORT if you want to refer to its exact model code, undergoes a revision to its chassis that makes it 1.8 times stiffer than the base model currently offered in Japan, the Toyota 86 GT “Limited.” The chassis also gains a GRMN-tuned suspension and rear performance rod with a damping mechanism for an improved ride as well.

As you can clearly tell, the GRMN 86 is fitted with a body kit that provides functional aerodynamic downforce as well. Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is used on the bonnet, roof, trunk and rear wing as well for weight saving purposes. Even the glass bits are replaced by a lightweight resin.

Toyota GRMN 86 8

The weight savings doesn’t translate to big differences on the scales. Compared to the standard car, the limited-run 86 tips the scales at 1,230 kg, 20 kg less than the manual and unchanged from the automatic 86 GT “Limited,” respectively.

However, the weight loss is accompanied by changes to the car’s dimensions. With the addition of the body kit, the car is now longer at 4,290 mm, with a five millimetre increase in the front track (1,525 mm), and a five millimetre decrease at the rear (1,535 mm).

Under the hood, the FA20 2.0 litre boxer four-cylinder engine has been redesignated to the FA20-GR following a series of revisions that include new lightweight pistons, low-tension piston rings and low-friction crank bearings. To ensure the engine is heard more closely, there is now a centre-mounted muffler with variable valve that kicks in at 4,000 rpm.

This translates to an output 219 PS (19 PS more) at 7,300 rpm and 217 Nm (12 Nm more) at 5,200 rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed manual gearbox only (with revised ratios), and to the rear wheels via a Torsen limited slip differential.

Toyota GRMN 86 3

Other performance bits on the GRMN 86 include six-piston monoblock brake calipers at front, with four-piston ones at the rear. The wheels and tyres have also been swapped. Here, specially-developed Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tyres (front 215/40R17 x 7.5J, rear 235/40R17 x 8.5J) are fitted on 17-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminium wheels.

Inside, the cabin gets a significant amount of Alcantara trim along with GRMN badging. The material is also used to upholster the Recaro racing seats as well. On the mention of seats, the GRMN 86 loses both its rear ones as well.

As tempting as the GRMN 86 is, there’s a catch. The car will only go on sale in Japan wearing a price tag of 6,480,000 yen (RM230,334), including local consumption taxes.

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