zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim
The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:28

Image for article titled The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim

The was one of the cooler Toyotas in recent memory. It was a completely stripped out first-generation car: No radio, no dash trim, no alloy wheels, no paint on the bumpers. All it had was a front engine, two driven wheels out back, and a six-speed connecting them — perfection.

For 2022, the updated GR 86 brings back that stripped-out RC trim. This time, it carries a few upgrades over the old race-team-ready model, but keeps its place as the entry-level modern hachiroku.

Image for article titled The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim

The 2022 GR 86 RC has a few immediately noticeable differences. Gone are the standard 17" wheels from the export base models, replaced with 16" steel wheels wearing narrower 205/55R16 tires. Also gone are the exhaust tips — the exhaust simply ends somewhere below the bumper.

Less obvious are some other changes. The RC has no trunk lid carpeting, but good luck noticing without any trunk lights. There’s no engine cover, and some amount of sound deadening appears to be removed from the floor. The car’s pumped-in engine audio has been deleted, as have most of the speakers that would play it — only two remain on the RC.

Image for article titled The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim

Inside, the RC loses the leather-trimmed shift knob and handbrake lever from the higher-spec cars, but the rest is largely the same. The seats, steering wheel, and gauge cluster all match the Japanese-spec SZ trim (roughly equivalent to a United States base model).

What really counts is the performance, though, and the RC keeps everything it needs from the other cars. The same 2.4l flat-four engine, the same six-speed Aisin gearbox. The previous-generation RC lost the Torsen limited-slip differential from the higher-spec trims, but the updated car keeps it around regardless of vehicle grade.

Image for article titled The 2022 Toyota GR 86 Brings Back The Barebones RC Trim

For Japanese enthusiasts looking to score a deal on a GR 86, the RC starts 237,000 yen cheaper than the next-highest trim. Over here, that’s a difference of just under $2100 — more than enough for some race-ready wheels and tires.

The RC may not make for the most comfortable daily driver, but this is the track day model. Toyota expects buyers to appreciate the weight savings from things like speakers and amenities, and figures they would be changing out wheels and tires anyway — why charge extra for an alloy that will never see the light of day? The market for these ultra-stripped cars may not be huge in the U.S., but I can’t imagine it’s zero. So, Toyota, how about you send us Americans a couple? I’d like to see how fun the lightest-spec GR 86 can be.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
Jul 9, 2025
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
Jul 9, 2025
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
Jul 9, 2025
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
Jul 9, 2025
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
Jul 9, 2025
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
Jul 9, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved