TRD 14R60 at Pikes Peak
 

Tried to convince them to leave it here in the USA in my loving care. No cigar ;)

It's an interesting project. I spoke with the project manager at Fan Fest on Friday. There just doesn't seem to be a lot improved on the car. From what I remember:
Carbon roof
bumpers
Front fenders are composite and a little bit wider with vent
bumper intake
magnesium wheels
brakes
suspension

It seems like a lot of effort for something I don't see as that much better. If I'm going to make changes to a car, I'm going to ensure the changes are significant. The car might be a little bit better in a few places, but none of the changes really seem to be major. And I think he said they only made 100 of them.
What is the benefit of the carbon roof? Save a pound or two?
Fenders that are 1 cm wider? Really?

What am I missing here, guys?
FWIW, the guy was super nice and helpful to talk with.

I agree, not very impressed with this build. Fugly wheels, too.

The Evasive Pikes Peak car blows this thing away!

Would you buy a Series Blue? Hyperblue? Yellow? RS 1.0? RS 2.0?

Limited edition anything? What's the benefit of any of these limited production cars that aren't significantly better than its mass-produced counterparts?

If there's no benefit to you, then you're not missing anything.

-alex

Well, one finished the event. The other did not...

... and almost rolled down the side of a mountain...

The quality of the parts. The car is not about absolute speed. Rather, it's a special edition car that shows what could possibly be done with the platform, without taking away from its roots. There's much more done underneath the skin that is not readily visible.

Could you make a *faster* car for less? Of course. That concept is no different from the Civic with a turbo that can take a Ferrari on the highway.

Exactly. They're all essentially the same car with different badges.
Give me nice suspension and brakes on a well-tuned engine with an Ace header. It'd probably cost less that the stuff they're putting together and work much better.

And you've already brought up what the benefit is: beauty in the eye of the beholder.

Just because you don't want it or you don't see the benefit doesn't mean it's not there.

-alex

Yes, the quality of the parts is higher. But what is the benefit of the higher-quality parts? They don't make it go faster, ride better, handle more precisely, more durable, more efficient, etc. (for the most part).
Sure, who doesn't like higher quality parts? But if there's not significant real-world benefit it seems to me like a waste of time, money and effort.

Oh, and I forgot to say there are some Cosworth parts (exhaust, etc.) on it. But again, not significant performance benefits. Also I forgot about the wing. That's a nice piece. But $60,000?! LOL! I'll take a Cayman, thankyouverymuch.

OK, I just did a few minutes of research on the car. There is significantly more going on than the project manager told me about. It looks to me like the car IS more durable, rides better, etc. than the standard FRS.
Still, there's no way I'd take it over a Cayman for the same money.

Many would take a WRX over a BRZ for the same money, all day.

In fact, I did!

People that can afford a $60K FT86 almost certainly have other spendy bits in the garage as part of stable. No one thinks "get this or a Cayman".

Appreciate it for what it is. I'd love to have one; and pop in the rest of Cosworth goodies :)

To be fair 14R60 isn't like the lame limited production thing you get in US. IT is a factory car that's designed eliminate the cons 86 get as a road car.

Unless you wanna custom make lots things on the chassis/suspention you not gonna achieve what they did. https://toyota.jp/customize/86/14r-6...hassis10_l.jpg


Another thing is that, you can't buy this car even if you wanted to. all 100 cars are sold through a private raffle thing if you have enough money. The buyer for this car isn't looking @ pure preformance value but it's more like collector buying an museum piece back home. Most owners probably just store them @ storage in japan.