by Heirs to the AE86 Spirit
The original Toyota 86 and the newer GR 86, while looking different, trace their lineage back to the 80s AE86 Trueno, preserving its rear-wheel-drive character, lightness, and agility. However, they did not retain one of the original’s most recognizable visual elements—the pop-up headlights.
Toyota GR Brings Back New AE86 Parts But They’re Not the Same
This is where Japanese tuner Result Japan steps onto the stage, offering a new styling kit that effectively turns the aesthetic clock back. This is not a classic restomod, but rather a modern car dressed in retro attire, a kind of reverse-engineered tribute.
A Retro Face for a Modern Coupe
The so-called Neo86 kit reimagines the front end of the car, adding a flat hood, functional pop-up headlights, and a bumper in a vintage style. Painted black, the bumper houses yellow turn signals and fog lights that hark back to the late 20th-century atmosphere characteristic of the AE86.
Result Japan
The kit continues with extended front and rear fenders, accentuated by glossy black bolt-on flares. A front spoiler and matching side skirts complete the profile. The demonstration car features a black and white livery, complemented by a set of retro-style wheels that directly reference the original eight-spoke alloy wheels of the AE86.
Despite the changes, the rest of the body retains the smoother and more rounded lines of the Toyota 86 platform. However, Result Japan has added several details to tie the rear end into the overall theme. These include a “ducktail” spoiler, aftermarket LED taillights, and a reprofiled rear bumper framing dual exhaust pipes.
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Although the Neo86 package is primarily aesthetic, it can easily be combined with performance and chassis upgrades. In its base configuration, the Toyota 86 is equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four engine producing 197 horsepower, which drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Price and Availability
The Neo86 will make its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 on January 9th, where Result Japan will open pre-orders. Details regarding price have not been disclosed yet, but the situation is expected to change after the official presentation at the exhibition.
According to Result Japan, the kit will not be limited to the domestic market. The company plans to offer it worldwide, and judging by the prototype, it should be compatible with a wide range of models, including the Toyota 86, GT 86, Scion FR-S, and the first-generation Subaru BRZ.
The emergence of such a kit underscores the ongoing influence of iconic models on the automotive industry and tuning culture. This is not just nostalgia, but a way to refresh the design of modern affordable sports cars, giving them uniqueness and historical context. Similar projects often become a catalyst for the development of the entire aftermarket accessories sector and can also influence official manufacturers, prompting them to reconsider their design decisions for future special editions or concept cars.
