2014 Toyota 86 | new car sales price

Updated Toyota 86 brings sharper handling and more equipment.

The Toyota 86 has received its third and most significant update yet, just two years after the instant cult classic arrived on Australian soil.   

The latest update also represents the biggest mechanical change, with revised dampers and suspension mounts aimed at improving both handling and ride comfort – beyond the sports coupe’s already brilliant dynamic talents.

Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada’s attention to the underpinnings also promise more communicative steering, increased stability and more progressive on-limit handling behaviour. 

The suspension mounts are now more rigid, and the dampers use lower-friction oil, oil seals and guide bushings to deliver these benefits, while the tyres remain efficiency-focused low rolling resistance items.

Toyota hinted that such a suspension upgrade was in the works in August last year, when the Japanese brand gave local media a taste of a track-fettled 86 prototype. The one-off car was fitted with Sachs-branded fixed rate dampers, larger 18-inch alloys and Dunlop Direzza semi-slick tyres. However, Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen confirmed with Carsguide that the updated model's dampers differ to the Sachs units developed for the prototype, and "there are currently no plans to make that [prototype] package available as a Toyota-endorsed option."

Like the track prototype, this latest 86 update doesn't bring any output gains to the 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engine, remaining at 147kW/205Nm while official combined fuel consumption is also unchanged at 7.1L/100km with the six-speed auto, and 7.8L/100km in six-speed manual guise. 

The price of the entry 86 GT is unchanged at $29,990 for the manual and $32,790 for the automatic, but the digital-speedo equipped instrument cluster from the more expensive 86 GTS has been added. Asked whether this particular change was a response to buyer feedback, Mr Breen told Carsguide; "this would have been a factor in the decision."

A standard reversing camera now features on all GTS models along with a carbon-look dash panel, though list prices have risen by $500 for the manual and $800 for the automatic. 

All models have gained a shark-fin style radio antenna, while White Liquid and Ice Silver paint options replace Satin White Pearl and Thunder Silver in the 86’s range of hues. 

This latest 86 revision follows the deletion of the full-size spare wheel in favour of cargo space shortly after launch, before a rear spoiler was added to GTS models and the GT auto scored the limited-slip differential fitted to all other variants in September 2013.