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The Toyota GR86 Hakone Special Edition is back, captivating car enthusiasts with its stunning green paint, tan interior, and bronze wheels. Limited to just 860 examples for the US market, this special edition pays homage to the famous Hakone Turnpike road near Tokyo and is equipped with the Performance Pack, ensuring it delivers a thrilling driving experience.
A Nod to the Past
Toyota refers to this new Hakone Edition as “a blast from the past,” not because of its old-school 2+2 seating and manual transmission layout, but as a tribute to the pre-Covid GT86 Hakone Edition. The GT86, a beloved sports car, came with Hakone Green paint, tan seats, and bronze wheels. The 2025 Hakone Edition continues this legacy with Ridge Green paint, tan leather seats, and satin bronze wheels, maintaining the aesthetic charm that fans adored.
Exclusive Features and Design
Based on the GR86’s Premium trim, the Hakone Edition offers a choice between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. However, purists would argue that opting for the manual transmission preserves the car’s true spirit. Each of the 860 units will feature Hakone badging, a special edition shift knob, and a color-matched ducktail spoiler, adding unique touches to this limited-run model. The inclusion of the Performance Pack, which comes standard, means buyers get Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers, enhancing the car’s performance capabilities.
Performance and Power
Under the hood, the GR86 Hakone Edition retains the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 225 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This power output is slightly less than the 231 horsepower available in the UK version. From the 2025 model year onwards, all GR86 models will benefit from revised throttle mapping, improving the car’s response to heel-toe downshifts. Additionally, the new engine torque control offers a more direct throttle response, while tweaks to the electric power steering ensure more responsive handling, making the GR86 an even more engaging drive.
A Tribute to the Hakone Turnpike
The Hakone Turnpike, a popular driving road near Tokyo, is renowned for its scenic beauty and challenging twists and turns. The GR86 Hakone Special Edition is a fitting tribute to this iconic route, embodying the spirit of driving pleasure and the joy of tackling winding roads. With its distinctive Ridge Green paint and elegant tan interior, the Hakone Edition stands out as a unique and desirable sports car.
Driving Experience
Driving the GR86 Hakone Edition is an exhilarating experience, thanks to its lightweight design and well-balanced chassis. The Performance Pack's Brembo brakes provide excellent stopping power, while the Sachs dampers enhance ride quality and handling. The car’s responsive steering and improved throttle response make it a delight to drive on both twisty backroads and open highways.
Limited Availability
With only 860 units available in the US, the GR86 Hakone Special Edition is a highly sought-after collector's item. Its combination of unique styling, limited production, and enhanced performance features make it a must-have for Toyota enthusiasts and sports car aficionados alike.
Conclusion
The 2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Special Edition is more than just a car; it’s a celebration of driving passion and a homage to one of Japan’s most famous driving roads. Its beautiful design, limited availability, and performance upgrades make it a standout in the sports car segment. For those lucky enough to own one, the Hakone Edition offers not just a thrilling driving experience, but also a piece of automotive history.
References
Potts, Greg. “2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Special Edition: The Toyota GR86 Hakone Edition is back with green paint, a tan interior and bronze wheels.” Top Gear Magazine, 16 Jul. 2024.
Toyota Motor Corporation. “2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Special Edition.” Toyota, 2024.