What's the news?

Toyota has decided to spruce up its critically acclaimed GT86 line-up with this: the GT86 TRD. We're told that this new model is the first Toyota ever to be sold with official TRD parts as standard in the UK; and as such will sit at the top of the GT86 range.

Exterior

Looking at the GT86 TRD, you can see visual tweaks and additions from every angle. A bespoke body kit has been fitted on all sides; with a fast-response quad-exit exhaust system and a rear diffuser adding more drama to the back. The TRD model comes with 18-inch TF6-style alloy wheels as standard and the TRD logo can be found engraved into the fuel filler cap. Two colours can be had from launch: Pearl White and GT86 Black.

Interior

Thanks to the healthy equipment list on the entry level GT86 models, TRD has had to do very little in terms of interior flourishes. In addition to the standard dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Smart Entry & Start, sports steering wheel and Toyota Touch Multimedia system, TRD has added its own branded gear lever for the top-spec version.

Mechanicals

The GT86 TRD is fitted with the same 2.0-litre, four-pot boxer unit found in all standard GT86s. Available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, 0-62mph times are recorded as 7.7- and 8.4 seconds respectively. Thanks to the sportier exhaust system, fuel consumption has suffered slightly though, with a claimed combined cycle economy of 34.9mpg for the manual and 36.2mpg for the automatic.

Anything else?

A sum of £31,495 will bag you a manual version of the GT86 TRD; with the auto coming in at £32,995. Both come to market on the 1st of March, with sales expected to finish somewhere around 2nd March - as the UK is only getting 250 examples.