THE 2017 Toyota GT86 sports coupe will be revealed for the first time at the New York International Auto Show next week, ahead of going on sale towards the end of this year.

The visual changes as the Toyota GT86 gains a more aggressive profile are led by more powerful styling elements, including an enlarged central air intake, which serves to emphasise the coupe’s low and wide stance.

The front end also gains a restyled bumper, fog light housings and LED headlamps and turn indicators, and there are new-design alloy wheels with twisted spokes.

In the cabin the focus is on improved sensory quality, with new combination leather and Alcantara upholstery and Alcantara-wrapped instrument panel options. The soft-touch, suede-effect material is also featured on the door trims.

A new cloth upholstery will be available with contrast silver stitching. The sports steering wheel has a new look, too, with integrated audio controls and an 86 logo on the centre boss.

The GT86’s credentials as a definitive driver’s car are reaffirmed by suspension changes, with revised shock absorber tuning and spring rates delivering easier control and increased agility. The powertrain is unaltered, retaining the car’s distinctive combination of a front-mounted, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre “boxer” engine driving the rear wheels.

Toyota has made the GT86 a key part of its motorsport programme, harnessing its abilities for both race and rally competition.

The GT86 CS-Cup has been developed specifically for a racing programme at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, while the GT86 CS-R3 is available to customers for rallying at all levels of the sport, from grassroots to FIA-sanctioned events.