Toyota GRMN 86 revealed, limited to 100 units only

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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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Everyone has been begging Toyota to release a more powerful 86 and all they did was tune everything BESIDES the engine.
    Toyota logic.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 13
  • No use stiff up 1.8 times when the speed is only 19ps more. I can’t see the logic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 12
  • shawal on Dec 22, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    again and again they tune the suspension and handling….
    was it that BAD the first time around..?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
  • nabill (Member) on Dec 22, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    still slow..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • “Even the glass bits are replaced by a lightweight resin.” I think it should be the cloth (fibercloth), not the resin. Promoted resin with hardener acts as the bonding material, no glass content in this chemical? Imho la =)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Aviation dude on Dec 23, 2015 at 4:27 pm

      Haha bro..this is the techhology the use in aviation for glass replacement normaly widely use on aerobatic aircraft.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • forrest the tree on Dec 22, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    Ding ding ding… next car pls

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Really on Dec 23, 2015 at 12:00 am

    All those expensive CFRP parts but only comes down to a paltry 20kg weight saving? Paying almost twice the price of a regular 86, but not much faster than one? Other than it’s a limited edition, is there any reason to get this rather than the much cheaper but not much slower regular 86?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • FIST (Member) on Dec 23, 2015 at 7:34 am

    They should have limit it to 86 units only

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • cranberry on Dec 23, 2015 at 8:13 am

    As much as I love what the 86/frs/brz stands for and i am very impressed with the CF top half of this ‘ultimate’ model and extra chassis stiffness… 219PS is just not enough..by any standards. I am sure they could have done a lot more in the engine department, for a car like this (at the price tag in Msia) I would expect nothing less than 250whp

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Interesting….I do have a funny feeling that Toyota logic is governed by their army of bean-counters and corporate ‘fat-cats’. Based on current crop of Toyota’s offering both in Asean and international markets, save for the lexus LFA, rest of their offerings are very much lukewarm and product design that is best described as ‘pedestrian’!! Even innovation on their Hybrid offerings seemed to have stalled…Crying shame though, as it seems Toyota is only interested in being the world’s largest car maker with the biggest amount of profit margin.. Nothing wrong with that, but at least, do try to come out with better, inspiring cars….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Okay, this is one of the good design from Toyota.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jolly_idiot (Member) on Dec 23, 2015 at 9:35 am

    All show. No go. Toyota no balls

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • sepul on Dec 23, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Get Cosworth or HKS superchargers for more power. Toyota logic is better handling, not more horses. Horses is only for drag races. If you can’t corner fast, no point having 1000 horses also.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Darth maul on Dec 23, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Aiyoo. When will you people learn? It’s not about power or 0-100 figures? 86 is a car for people who love driving cars with good handling. Bashers are welcome but you guys should try driving one. Boy you don’t know what ur missing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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