Toyota has chosen to reveal the upgraded GR86 today, August 6 (8-6), and the automaker was quite busy with the sports coupe.

Instead of just giving the GR86 a new coat of paint, Toyota gave the GR86 an extensive upgrade, particularly to its drivetrain, interior, and safety features.

Starting with the exterior, Toyota brought back the limited-time color called “Solid Gray”. First offered in 2017, the limited-time color will only be available for roughly half a year. The result is a sleek and dynamic shade that highlights the coupe's curves, lines, and profile.

Hop inside, and the interior of the GR86 remains relatively the same. However, Toyota redesigned the switches with improved grip for better ease of use. They also painted them in Cast Iron Black, which has a lower reflectivity to keep drivers focused on the road. Meanwhile, the red & black interior now features red accents that envelop the driver, evoking images of the classic 86.

Perhaps serving as the most important upgrade inside the GR86 is the operation of the 6-speed manual transmission. In manual versions, Toyota widened the shift interlock between fourth and fifth gears by 0.5mm. This translates to smoother and more precise shift throw when downshifting from fifth gear to fourth gear, ensuring stress-free entry while driving on the limit.

Driving dynamics were also given attention, with the upgraded GR86 also sporting adjusted throttle control settings to ensure intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness while exiting corners, driving on low-friction surfaces, and in other situations that require precise acceleration control.

In addition, Toyota also updated the electronic power steering control after drawing experience from competing in the Super Taikyu Series by eliminating wobble in high-speed corners and on rough surfaces. This allows for more precise steering and allows tracing of the intended line while driving spiritedly.

Last but not least, the Subaru-derived EyeSight ADAS now features a triple-camera setup. This is an upgrade from the previous two-camera setup and is tailored specifically to the low stance of the GR86. The enhanced system combines wide-angle stereo cameras with an ultra-wide monocular camera, which delivers a wider field of view than before.

Toyota will start accepting customer orders starting on August 28, 2026, in Japan. With that, other markets like the Philippines may have to wait a little while longer. Let's hope the wait will be short.