GT86 offered in stripped down RC version JDM

[dboz]

Toyota GT86 offered in stripped down RC flavor... in Japan



Toyota GT86 offered in stripped down RC flavor... in Japan

By Zach Bowman RSS feed
Posted Feb 9th 2012 1:28PM


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It's getting harder and harder to purchase a genuine stripped down vehicle these days. Manufacturers have discovered that it's both cheaper and easier to offer every model with a surprisingly high level of content rather than build multiple variations on the same theme. That's why tricks like power locks and windows are all but ubiquitous, even on bargain-basement models.

Not so in Japan. Toyota is offering buyers a stripper version of the company's new GT86 sports coupe. The vehicle comes as a blank canvas just waiting for your personal touch. Outside, the stock 17-inch alloy wheels are replaced with 16-inch steelies, and the bumpers, side mirrors and door handles all arrive unpainted. Don't expect to find any fog lights, either.

Indoors, niceties like a stereo, air conditioning and even trim work around the steering wheel and shifter are nowhere to be found. Toyota even went so far as to ditch the plastic intake cover under the hood. The vehicle doesn't come with a limited-slip rear differential, but the sacrifice seems worth it to us. For starters, the GT-86 RC carries a price tag of 1.9 million Yen, or $24,601 at current conversion rates. That's significantly less than the standard model. Then there's the fact that the RC weighs nearly 100 pounds less than the base GT-86.

Sadly, we doubt either Scion or Subaru will offer a similarly stripped-down version of their respective FR-S or BRZ models, though history disagrees with us. Scion did, in fact, offer a stripper version of the tC back in 2007 called the tC Spec Package.

[import_nation]

Subaru wont offer a stripped down version in US or CAN. Scion definately wont with their whole monospec trim marketing technique.

[rwdftw]

I really still dont see the point of the none painted bumpers... how much more would it cost honestly...

i understand the steele wheels and everything but the un-painted bumpers really?

[dboz]

Because you are going aftermarket body kit.

[import_nation]

It's for the hardcore tuners who are going to end up swapping most of the parts on the cars for other parts. They are just helping them out by giving them cheaper parts that are still legal. I'm sure some race teams would love to buy just a shell.

[AE86]

If only Scion Sold bare rolling shells as well!

[Flat4_driver]

This is a good idea on Toyota. It clearly shows they're trying to save every cent possible to offer it as cheap as possible. To the person asking about the unpainted bumpers. It costs them a good amount of money to paint those. So if they could offer it unpainted since most likely it will get swapped out anyway then definitely go for it.

[FR_S_Fan]

This model of the Toyota 86 is defiantly NOT something you want to take on a night out. WOuld be cool if it was available to us but I'll be happy enough with the monospec FR-S.

[Flat4_driver]

This model of the Toyota 86 is defiantly NOT something you want to take on a night out. WOuld be cool if it was available to us but I'll be happy enough with the monospec FR-S.

The GT-86/BRZ/FR-S never was marketed as car you take on a "night out". If you want a car to take on a night out buy something else. This was and always will be marketed as an entry level sports car for tuners and racers.

[FR_S_Fan]

The GT-86/BRZ/FR-S never was marketed as car you take on a "night out". If you want a car to take on a night out buy something else. This was and always will be marketed as an entry level sports car for tuners and racers.

I know it's just that the highest trim BRZ and FR-S look pretty good to me. Something I can take to the track and then use for a night out. Unpainted bumpers and steeles aren't really "presentable"

[Flat4_driver]

This car was never about being presentable. If you really want something you can take to the track and then use for a night out get a porsche.....