The first-gen Toyota 86 was originally introduced in 2011, then named GT86, and while this doesn’t seem that long ago, the automaker is launching a new factory refresh program in Japan. The recently announced 86Re:Project is designed for Toyota 86 owners who want all of their vehicle’s mechanical components to return to brand-new condition, so they can extract the maximum performance and driving pleasure out of the sportscar.
Predictably, everything starts with a careful inspection of the vehicle, replacing all parts that need to be replaced. However, the services offered by Toyota’s experienced mechanics are not your typical service interval. They go through a detailed check of the engine with a micro-camera, cleaning the combustion chamber with special fluids, de-carbonizing the valves, and thoroughly washing the engine bay internals. Another option is to replace all of the rubber mounts that could have deteriorated after a decade of use.
Read: Toyota To Extend Its Vehicles’ Life In The UK By Remanufacturing Them Up To Three Times
The next step is for the Toyota 86 to be tested in a special course, with the technician making sure everything works in a perfect manner. When this is completed, the keys are handed over to the owner together with a special certificate. The cost of the program hasn’t been announced, but it largely depends on the condition of the vehicle and the requested services.
As reported by Japanese Nostalgic Car, the average mileage of drivers in Japan is 5,800 miles (9,334 km) per year, which translates to roughly 70,000 miles (112,654 km) in a twelve-year-old vehicle. For most car owners this number is not high enough to justify a factory refresh treatment, but Japanese drivers are more strict when it comes to vehicle maintenance so there is definitely a market for such services.
The 86Re:Project is already available at the GR Garage Fukuroi in the Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan since October 2022. The program will gradually roll out in Toyota GR dealers across Japan in 2023. The JDM-spec Toyota 86 is nearly identical to the first-gen Subaru BRZ, the EU-spec Toyota GT86, and the US-spec Scion FR-S which means that those models would also be compatible with the program – given that you can get access to a Japanese dealership.
