18/01/2026

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY JAN 18, 2026

Triton Street gets new look

on extensions. Despite the dramatic front end changes, the Toyota 86’s familiar, smooth body lines remain largely untouched. At the rear, Result Japan has made a few subtle tweaks to balance the design, including a ducktail spoiler, aftermarket LED tail-lights and a reshaped bumper that frames a twin-exit exhaust setup. Under the skin, the Neo86 package leaves the mechanicals standard, making it a purely visual transformation. The Toyota 86 continues to run its naturally aspirated 2.0 litre flat-four boxer engine, deliv ering 197hp to the rear wheels through either a six-speed man ual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. For buyers who want more than just looks, the kit can also be paired with additional per formance or suspension upgrades. Result Japan has con firmed that the Neo86 will not be a Japan-only affair. The com pany plans to sell the kit globally, and it has been designed to fit a broad range of related models, including the Toyota 86 and GT 86, the Scion FR-S and the first generation Subaru BRZ. Street variant is aimed squarely at life on tarmac rather than rough terrain. It rolls on 17-inch black alloy wheels, keeps the standard ride height, and is offered in a limited colour palette of Solid White, Blade Silver, and Graphite Grey, all contrasted with black exte rior accents. Under the bonnet sits Mitsubishi’s familiar 2.4-litre four cylinder turbodiesel engine. In this version, it delivers 148hp and 330Nm of torque, with Mitsubishi opting not to use the more pow erful 181hp unit found in higher spec trims. Power is sent to the rear wheels only through a six speed manual gearbox, with no four-wheel-drive option avail able. Positioned as the most affordable Mega Cab Triton, the Street keeps its equipment list fairly simple. The Mitsubishi Triton Street is already on sale in Thailand, with prices starting from TB649,000 (around RM83,858).

AT a glance, the original Toyota 86 and the newer GR 86 look firmly modern, but their DNA can be traced straight back to the legendary AE86 Trueno of the 1980s. Both cars stay true to that formula with rear-wheel drive, light weight and a focus on driver involvement. What has been missing all this time is one of the Trueno’s most iconic features, its pop-up headlights, and that is exactly the detail Japanese tuner Result Japan has decided to bring back. Rather than building a tradi tional restomod, Result Japan has taken a different route by giving today’s Toyota 86 a heavy dose of retro flavour. The result is the Neo86 body kit, which transforms the car’s appearance while keeping its modern under pinnings intact. Up front, the standard nose is replaced with a flatter bonnet, fully functional pop-up head lights and a redesigned bumper. Finished in black, the bumper integrates yellow indicators and fog lamps to strengthen the throwback look. The retro theme continues down the sides, where wider front and rear arches are highlighted by glossy black bolt MITSUBISHI has quietly intro duced a tweaked version of the Triton, but this update comes with a twist. The revised design is exclu sive to a single variant, with only the Triton Street receiving the new look, and it is currently offered only in Thailand. Based on the Mega Cab body style, which sits neatly between the Single Cab and Double Cab versions, the Triton Street stands out mainly because of its redesigned front end. The familiar Dynamic Shield styling seen across the rest of the Triton line-up has been set aside in favour of a sharper, more aggressive face. A reworked grille leads the changes, joined by a chunkier black skid plate and subtly altered bumper intakes that give the pickup a tougher appearance. Despite the tougher look, this remains an entry-level model, so halogen headlights are stan dard and fog lights are left out entirely. True to its name, the

Toyota expands GR Corolla line-uplwith new auto variant Performance focused hatchback

UMW TOYOTA MOTOR has officially brought the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic Transmission to Malaysia, marking a significant step in making Toyota Gazoo Racing’s performance focused hatchback accessible to a broader audience. The introduction of the automatic vari ant opens the door to drivers who want the thrill of a motorsports-developed car without the commitment of a manual gearbox, while still preserving the raw and engaging character that defines the GR badge. The GR Corolla Automatic is aimed at drivers who value ease of use and confi dence in everyday driving, yet still crave a car that feels alive on a spirited run. At its heart is the new eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, or GR-DAT, a gearbox developed through motorsports to deliver fast and accurate shifts. It offers smooth operation in daily traf fic while retaining the sharp responses expected from a performance car. Combined with the practicality of a five door hatchback body, the GR Corolla AT blends excitement with real-world usabil ity. The arrival of the automatic version also brings a round of improvements across the entire GR Corolla range in Malaysia, including the existing manual transmis sion model. These updates reflect Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitment to continuous improvement, using lessons learned from racing and intensive testing to refine per formance, control and driver confidence. Power still comes from the 1.6-litre tur bocharged three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine. Output remains at 300PS while torque has increased by 30Nm to 400Nm. Both the automatic and manual variants now come standard with Blind Spot Monitor, adding an extra layer of safety for daily driving. Inside, a new 10-inch display screen

provides clearer vehicle information and a more intuitive interface, ensuring modern technology supports both enthusiastic driving and everyday convenience. Pricing for the 2026 GR Corolla Automatic starts at RM378,950 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM233,500 in Langkawi. The manual version remains available from RM368,950 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM227,300 in Langkawi, giving buyers a clear choice between traditional engage ment and modern convenience. The GR-DAT transmission adds a new layer of versatility to the driving experi ence. Drive mode focuses on smooth accelera tion with intelligent gear selection, while Sport mode sharpens throttle response and delivers more aggressive shift behav iour for enthusiastic driving. A sequential-style manual mode increases driver involvement, and Launch Start Control allows for controlled and confident acceleration from a standstill. Suspension and ABS tuning have also been revised to improve stability, braking performance and cornering confidence. Styling remains true to the GR Corolla’s bold, motorsport-inspired identity, with a wide stance and functional design ele ments aimed at improving airflow, cooling and stability. The five-door layout ensures it remains practical enough for daily use, striking a balance between aggressive performance and everyday functionality. More than just a fast hatchback, the GR Corolla is designed to rekindle the joy of driving. It offers long-time enthusiasts a fresh connection to performance motor ing, while giving a new generation the chance to experience authentic, race inspired engineering. The 2026 GR Corolla Automatic, along with the updated manual range, is now available through selected GR Garage deal erships nationwide, backed by Toyota’s aftersales support and quality assurance.

Classic Trueno Spirit Returns