Toyota 86 Blackline Edition unveiled

Toyota is marking the start of a six-month countdown to the first round of the Toyota 86 Racing Series by releasing a special-edition version of Australia’s best-selling sports car.

Known as the Toyota 86 Blackline Edition, it features a subtle body kit, gloss-black 17-inch alloy wheels and distinctive red highlights in the sporty black interior.

The newest Toyota 86 derives its special-edition name from the twin black stripes on the roof and bonnet, accentuated by the model’s “white liquid” exterior paint colour.

Based on the high-line 86 GTS, Toyota is producing just 450 of the 86 Blackline Edition cars – 250 manuals priced from $37,990 plus on-roads and 200 automatics priced from $40,490 plus on-roads.

Feature items have been sourced from Toyota’s engineering and motorsport partner TRD including front spoiler, side skirts, three-piece rear spoiler, rear lower bumper and fender garnishes.

Inside, the new package sets the Toyota 86 Blackline Edition apart with splashes of red on the seats, steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and door grips.

Release of the special-edition 86 coincides with an announcement that the Toyota 86 Racing Series is due to hit local racetracks from May.

Each of next year’s five rounds will offer a starting grid of up to 32 cars at selected V8 Supercars events, including Sandown in September and Bathurst in October.

The pro-am format will include up to five professional guest drivers who will also mentor the amateur drivers competing for a prize pool of at least $125,000.

Since its launch in 2012, the 86 has been Australia’s best-selling sports car with more than 15,600 sold to local customers.

The rear-wheel-drive Toyota 86 is powered by a 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard features on the Toyota 86 Blackline Edition include a 6.1-inch touch screen that displays satellite navigation# with live traffic updates, reversing camera image and audio interface.

Exterior fittings include auto-levelling HID headlamps, front foglamps, LED daytime running lamps and keyless smart entry.

Stepping inside over the scuff plates with stainless-steel inserts, owners are treated to dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, keyless smart start, leather-accented front seats with Alcantara inserts and aluminium pedals.

Read ForceGT’s Toyota 86 Review