For the 2017 model year, Toyota has gone through the trouble of making some noticable updates to the beloved GT86 (as it is known in the UK the US), and show off the updated car at the 2016 New York Motor Show.
For the keener observer, the doctored front end would be the first thing to be judged, and we’re not entirely sure if it adds the right kind of flair that’s fitting to the 86. But there’s no doubt it does make the car look more aggressive upon first impression, and the new centre intake does help visually establish the car’s wider sports car stance, as does the more angular bumper. Flanking it there’s a reconfigured set of LED headlamps, turn signals, fog lamps bezels.
The new wheel design, too, adds that extra tone of aggression to the car. For the most part, it looks a lot like a fairly moderate aftermaket treatment has been given to the 86, the kind that’s commonly done not long after owners take delivery.
Inside, Toyota has focused on the touchy-feely stuff, making sure the materials and fit have more cohesion. Optional now are seats that are upholstered with a leather-Alcantara blend and a suede wrapped instrument panel and matching door trim.
Seats now come with standard silver stitching accents and integrated audio controls on the steering wheel. In Australia, all these will be available on the higher-grade GTS trim
On the business side of things, the 86’s suspension have been given a rework with a new geometry on the shock absorbers and spring rate to make the car more agile while being easier to control than before.
There are also minor mechanical tweaks to the engine, yielding an extra 9Nm of torque and 4kW of peak power, driven through revised gear ratios on manual versions.
How much difference will it make out there in the wild? Guess we’ll have to take the 2017 car through its paces against the soon-to-be older model to reach any worthwhile conclusions.
