2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition: The Want is Real
Toyota’s back-to-basics sports car, the 86, does more with less, irrespective of the naysayers.
Lightweight, low-slung, a sporty shape, with a long nose and short deck, a revvy engine, and a manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. All of these are go-to descriptors for the archetypal sports car.
Now, go ahead and guess how many affordable, lightweight sports cars like that are on sale today. Take your time. While there are many capable performance cars out there, there are only two, yes, two, cars on sale today that can had for $30,000 (or less) and weigh less than 3,000 pounds: the Mazda Miata and the Toyota 86.
Well, okay, there are technically three, as the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota's separated-at-birth twin, also counts. Regardless, this leaves the 86 in a very special place. It’s hard for cars like this to exist. Despite their curb appeal, small sports cars don’t fly off showroom floors quite as quickly as larger, more practical family sedans and SUV models. However, while one could hardly fault the pragmatic car choices of the everyday driver, even the dogmatic car enthusiast base that this car was clearly built for seem to oppose the 86.
They commonly argue that “it needs more power!” But power is something that the 86’s gatekeeper, Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada, is reluctant to add. A mid-cycle refresh in 2017 saw the 86’s 2.0-liter FA20 flat four, built by Subaru, receive a minor bump, from 200 horsepower to 205. Torque similarly perked up a bit from 151 lb-ft to 156, all of which is thanks to revised engine internals and a new intake manifold, finished in crinkle red, not unlike a Ferrari, signifying it’s increased sporting potential.
The minor power bump, in conjunction with change from a 4.1 final drive rear differential to a 4.3 unit has certainly made acceleration a little more lively in the 86. Though, don’t expect to win many drag races, as most minivans will still take the 86 to task, from stop light to stop light. A bit more grunt, say 20-30 horsepower, perhaps from a hotter, still-naturally-aspirated engine, would definitely be appreciated.
However, the lack of power falls to the wayside, in a very significant way once the roads begin to bend. Toyota named this special edition 86 model after the Hakone Turnpike. A stunning tree-lined, winding mountain road two hours outside of Tokyo, the Hakone Turnpike is where enthusiastic drivers cut their teeth and practice the art of driving. Naturally, this Hakone green rolling love letter to winding roads is at it's best on a winding road.
Angeles Crest Highway looms over Los Angeles’ northern horizon, and acts as a beacon for the car-crazed within the city of angels. The Hakone blitzed through this tree-lined, winding mountain road like few other cars could — flat out. On a winding road zinging the 86 to it’s 7,500 RPM redline over and over and over again is the norm. The 6-speed transmission snaps through the gears nicely, with a firm ratcheting feedback and the pedals are perfectly spaced for heel-toe downshifts. With it’s modest power, working the 86 between 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear is a blast, and done at speeds below the jail-time threshold. The 86 puts fun first, and it is very much noticed and appreciated from behind the wheel.
All of the 86’s virtuous traits — the low seating position, the even lower center of gravity and the litheness and agility seldom seen in anything with four wheels — have always been what has drawn in and created a fervent fandom. This Hakone Edition doesn’t push the bar any further dynamically, but, instead, goes a different route.
The Hakone green paintwork is bespoke to this special model, and it is deeply desirable and eminently attractive. Paired with the paint are the standard 17-inch wheels, which have been refinished in a rich bronze metallic, and a revised interior, utilizing a combination of black and brown alcantara and tan leather. It’s the most opulent interior seen in an 86 to date, and looks stunning, especially given the $30,825 (including destination) price tag.
The other update inside, which is not Hakone-specific, is the infotainment screen, which now sees the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. At first glance, the screen looked dated and simplistic, but it does work really well with either in-car phone service, and is going to be a huge upgrade for the consumers who know the value of either one.
The 86 Hakone Edition is special edition that actually feels special. Not only does it look stunning, but smartened up interior and engaging driving dynamics paired with the relatively modest price tag make for an unbelievable drive. The want is real.
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