Toyota lines up limited 86
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 20th Nov 2015
Just 450 examples of the Blackline will be produced for the Australian market, with 200 fitted with the 86's six-speed manual, while the remaining 250 get a six-speed auto.
The Blackline comes at a $2000 premium over the range-topping 86 GTS on which it is based, with the special edition manual starting at $37,990 plus on-road costs, while the auto retails for $40,490.
The special edition features a number of bodykit parts from Toyota's engineering and motorsport partner TRD, and the name is derived from the twin black stripe paint work on the coupe's bonnet.
Some of the TRD additions are the the front spoiler, side skirts, rear lower bumper, three-piece rear spoiler and fender garnishes.
Other features of the subtle bodykit include gloss black 17-inch alloy wheels and red highlights throughout the cabin, including on the steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and door grips.
The Blackline gains all of the standard gear from the GTS including a 6.1-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and a reversing camera, as well as auto-levelling headlights, front foglights, LED daytime running lights, dual-zone climate control, aluminium pedals, keyless entry and start.
Toyota says the 86 Blackline is covered by the Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing plan with up to four scheduled services priced at $180 each The Japanese car-maker announced the Toyota 86 Racing Series earlier this year, and it is scheduled to kick off in May next year.
There will be five rounds next year to be held during various V8 Supercar events, such as Sandown and Bathurst, with up to 32 cars on the starting grid.
In Australia, the 86 is still the most popular sub-$80,000 sportscar, with a haul of 2600 units to the end of October representing a 28 per cent drop over the same period last year.
Hyundai's Veloster is nipping at its heels in second place with 2435 sales year to date, which is an 18.5 per cent dip over last year.
