The Toyota 86 Blackline Edition has been revealed marking the six-month countdown to the first round of the Toyota 86 Racing Series.

THE TOYOTA 86 BLACKLINE EDITION is nothing but a marketing special. It adds a subtle body kit, gloss-black 17-inch alloy wheels and red highlights on the inside. The name, Toyota says, has been taken from the twin black stripes on the roof and bonnet. It’s only available with the twin stripes on a ‘White Liquid’ exterior paint colour.

Based on the high-line 86 GTS, Toyota is producing just 450 of the 86 Blackline Edition cars – 250 manuals priced from $37,990 (+ORC) and 200 automatics priced from $40,490 (+ORC). Items sourced from Toyota’s engineering and motorsport partner TRD include the front spoiler, side skirts, three-piece rear spoiler, rear lower bumper and fender garnishes.

Inside, the new package sets the Toyota 86 Blackline Edition apart with dramatic splashes of red on the seats, steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and door grips. The Toyota 86 runs a 147kW, 205Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine and a choice of six-speed transmissions.

The Toyota 86 Racing Series is due to kick off from May. Each of next year’s five rounds will run up to 32 cars at “selected V8 Supercars events, including Sandown in September and Bathurst in October”. The pro-am format will include up to five professional guest drivers who will also mentor the amateur drivers competing for a prize pool of at least $125,000.