Manufacturers still care about vehicles that aren’t SUVs and pickup trucks, according to the car gods. Both cars have the same underpinnings, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower. There’s also a six-speed manual transmission, so the GR86 isn’t just a pretty face. It’s a genuine joy to drive.
It does, however, face competition. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has long been a favourite among budget-conscious fans, but the Hyundai Veloster N and Volkswagen Golf GTI are also worthy rivals in the tiny, spirited sports car category.
- New 2023 GR86 Special Edition
- Year membership to the National Auto Sport Association
- Part of the second GR86 generation introduced in 2022
Toyota will release a GR86 Special Edition in 2023. The Special Edition is based on the GR86 Premium trim and sits at the top of the GR86 series. It has a Solar Shift bodywork with bright orange accents, 18-inch black alloy wheels, a cat-back performance exhaust, and unique graphics and badging that set it apart from the rest of the series. It will have a duckbill rear spoiler, six-way adjustable front seats with heating, and an improved eight-speaker audio system, exactly like the other Premium models. This Special Edition, limited to just 860 units, was created to “highlight the unadulterated fun of sports car driving,” according to Toyota.
Toyota is providing free one-year memberships to the National Auto Sport Association.
Association (NASA) with the purchase of every GR86. Perks of membership include a free high-performance driving event and discounts on admission to NASA events.
The Toyota GR86’s recent redesign made it a welcome addition to a refreshing (and growing) category of exhilarating sports cars that don’t break the bank. And the GR86 Special Edition adds a splash to the lineup for 2023. It faces a chorus of competitors — and that’s music to our ears.
