Special editions are a fun part of the lineup for lots of cars: they add unique features, colors, and accessories not usually available, plus an element of exclusivity. The fact that they have a limited production run is part of the appeal. A special edition gives enthusiasts a chance to own something few other people have.The Toyota GR86, the second generation of the model commonly referred to as simply the 86, has a few special editions under its belt. The Japanese automaker has released versions of the car that commemorate historical milestones, call back to classic models, or simply add a slightly different character to this quirky sports car. Of the many special-edition GR86s, however, only some were sold on the North American market, while others were confined to their home market of Japan. This article takes a closer look at all the model’s special editions that made it to the States. 10th Anniversary Special Edition Toyota The first generation of the Toyota 86 (in Japan) and the Scion FR-S (in North America) was released for the 2013 model year. In 2023, Toyota released a special edition of the second-generation model to commemorate the 86’s first ten years on the market. The 10th Anniversary Special Edition was available in both North America and Japan.Toyota It was based on the top-level Premium trim, and came with a host of unique features that set it apart from the rest of the lineup. These included a unique paint finish in a shade of orange called “Solar Shift”, matte black 18-inch alloy wheels, and a black rear spoiler. The car was also equipped with black side mirror caps and black stripe decals.Cosmetic features, however, were not the only area where the 10th Anniversary Edition provided something different: Toyota also upgraded its exhaust system, fitting the model with a Gazoo Racing-tuned performance exhaust with black chrome finished tips. A 10th Anniversary Edition was also made available for the 86’s Subaru-badged twin, the BRZ. Trueno Edition Toyota Most car enthusiasts around the world, and certainly most Toyota enthusiasts, will be familiar with the word “Trueno”. The Spanish word for “thunder”, this name was given to a series of sporty coupes that have become legendary thanks to their role in the automotive culture of the '80s and '90s. Although several Toyota models have used the Trueno name, this special edition calls back to one in particular, the most famous of all: the AE86 Sprinter Trueno, which also lent its name to the 86.The Sprinter was a Corolla-based hatchback, known for reliability and practicality. The AE86 Trueno version, however, added an extra dimension of performance, turning the original car into something more sporty and exciting. It was powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine, which produced 128 hp in Japan and 112 hp in North America due to emissions regulations. The Corolla also had its own Trueno version, introduced alongside the Sprinter’s.Toyota The GR86 Trueno Edition was released in 2023 for the 2024 model year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AE86 Sprinter Trueno. It echoes the look of the legendary model, pairing a white paint finish with a black hood, stripe decals, side mirrors, alloy wheels and rear spoiler. It was exclusive to the North American market, with production limited to 860 units. Hakone Edition Toyota This special edition is a nod to Japan’s automotive community, more specifically to one road that has been used for (both legal and illegal) racing throughout the decades: the Hakone Turnpike. Located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, the road leads to a famous observation point where you can catch stunning views of Mount Fuji. Parts of the Hakone Turnpike are also lined with cherry blossom trees, an iconic symbol of Japan.Toyota The Hakone Edition of the GR86 was released in the summer of 2024, going on sale for the 2025 model year in the North American market. It was not the first time the name of the Hakone Turnpike had been used for a special edition of the model: in 2020, the 86’s first generation had its own Hakone Edition. That model had been finished in a glossy shade called “Hakone Green”, which in Japan was referred to as British Racing Green. It also had bronze wheels and an upgraded interior.The new Hakone Edition brought back the same paint finish, along with the bronze wheels. However, this time the shade was referred to as Ridge Green, although the model kept the Hakone name. Only 860 units were built. Yuzu Edition ToyotaThe most recent special edition of the GR86 is the Yuzu Edition. As suggested by its name, the Yuzu Edition takes inspiration from the Asian citrus fruit, whose bright yellow hue is replicated in the car’s paint finish (named, appropriately enough, Yuzu Yellow). This shade had previously appeared in a very different area of the 86’s lineup: not the second generation, but the first, and not the 86 itself, but its Scion-badged sibling, the FR-S.The FR-S was, initially, the only version of the first-gen 86 sold in North America, before the demise of the Scion brand in 2016. Its limited-run “Release Series 1.0” version was finished in Yuzu Yellow; just 1,500 units were built. Years later, Toyota brought the color back for the second-gen 86 with the Yuzu Edition, which was introduced to the world alongside the Supra’s Final Edition.Toyota The GR86 Yuzu Edition pairs the unique paint job with black wheels, as well as including Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers (features normally available as part of the optional Performance Package) as standard. The interior featured yellow accents providing contrast against black Ultrasuede.The car also came with a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, which included a free high-performance driving event and discounts on other events. Just 860 units of the Yuzu Edition GR86 were built. The Toyota GR86: An Overview ToyotaA sleek fastback coupe, with a sporty character and a price tag that places it within the reach of the average enthusiast, the GR86 is beloved across the automotive world. The model arrived on the market two years after its predecessor, simply named the 86 (but known in Europe as the GT86), had been discontinued.The 86 had been in the works for a very long time, having made its first appearance in concept form back in 2007. That initial concept was followed by a further three, with each one introducing more features that would later make their way into the production model. Eventually, the 86 arrived on the market for the 2013 model year. That first generation remained on sale for seven years, before the 86 nameplate entered a brief hiatus in 2020.Toyota When the new 86 arrived, it adopted the “GR” moniker as a nod to Toyota’s motorsport division, Gazoo Racing. Initially advertised as the “GR 86”, with a space in the middle, the model soon had its name changed to GR86 for digital marketing reasons.Like its predecessor, the GR86 is twinned with a Subaru model, the BRZ, which is essentially identical except for badging and a handful of features. Subaru provided the model’s beating heart, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that produces between 228 and 232 hp.The GR86 offers three trim levels for 2026: the base trim (which starts at $32,595), the Premium trim ($35,195), and the Yuzu Edition, the most expensive of the three with a starting price of $37,560. The Premium trim adds features such as a six-speed manual gearbox rather than the six-speed automatic, as well as 18-inch wheels, heated seats, and an upgraded sound system. The Yuzu Edition builds on the Premium trim, adding all the features we mentioned earlier to create a unique package.Sources: Toyota