Built to Connect. Engineered to Drive

The A’PEXi GR86 Project began with a simple but meaningful goal: Create a demo car that drivers could actually relate to. Rather than building an untouchable showpiece, the vision was to showcase what’s truly possible with real off the shelf parts, real-world setups, and a philosophy rooted in driving enjoyment. 

At its core, the GR86 Project was designed to highlight the full range of A’PEXi products developed for the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ platform. But the project didn’t stop there. With A’PEXi USA carrying respected Japanese performance brands such as TOM’S Racing, MAX ORIDO, KAZAMA Industries, and EXCEED Japan, the opportunity was there to build something deeper, something complete.

So the scope expanded. Not to chase excess, but to refine the machine into a balanced, purpose-driven build that represents how enthusiasts actually modify, drive, and enjoy their cars.


Started off in spring 2023 as a standard street style vehicle with simple bolt-on upgrades to exhaust, suspension, and narrow body (normal) lip kits. This helped us focus showcasing it to the end user to have resemblance for their GR86/BRZ. We didn't want to go full on and make a demo vehicles like we have done before, for example 0 to 100 and be just another "cool GR86" that are usually unobtainable. We truly wanted to connect with the community and relate with the drivers that truly love driving the GR86 or the BRZ.

A Relatable Beginning

The project officially kicked off in Spring 2023, starting life as a clean, street-focused GR86. The early stages were intentionally restrained: bolt-on upgrades to the exhaust, suspension, and a narrow-body aero setup. This approach allowed the Project Manager and the team to keep the car visually and mechanically close to what most owners experience, no widebody conversions, no extreme one-off fabrication. 

Unlike previous demo vehicles built to push boundaries purely for spectacle like the A'PEXi D1GP RX-7 or the A'PEXi Drag GT-R R33 V-PRO, this GR86 wasn’t meant to be “Just another cool but unobtainable build.” It wasn’t about chasing numbers or shock the internet. It was about connection, connecting with the real GR86 and BRZ community, and with drivers who genuinely love the way these cars feel on the streets and windy roads. The idea was simple: if you can see yourself in this car, then the project has done its job.

- Stage 1: Street Presence with Purpose 

Stage 1 focused on aesthetics and essential performance upgrades, enhancements that elevate both form and function without compromising daily drivability.

Working closely with TOM’S Racing, the GR86 was equipped with a full street oriented aero lip package. Subtle yet purposeful, the aero sharpened the car’s presence while maintaining the clean, OEM+ look that defines a mature street build.

On the performance side, A’PEXi’s core components set the foundation. The A’PEXi RS-X (RS Evolution Extreme) Catback Exhaust System delivers a refined, sporty tone that complements the FA24 engine without overpowering it. Featuring A’PEXi’s signature suitcase style muffler and a dual-exit layout, the RS-X enhances the GR86’s character while preserving comfort and everyday usability. It’s an exhaust designed to be enjoyed on every drive and scerio, not just at full throttle. 

Suspension duties are handled by the A’PEXi N1 Type ExV Dampers (Coilovers). Designed to improve street-level suspension geometry, the system offers ride-height adjustability and carefully selected spring rates that allow the car to corner harder with confidence. Body roll is reduced, transitions are smoother, and the chassis remains composed, whether carving through mountain roads or cruising through the city. 

The result is a GR86 that feels sharper, more planted, and more rewarding to drive, without losing the balance that makes the platform special in the first place.

- Stage 2 : Same Philosophy. Sharper Edge. Real Results. 

Stage 1 proved we could connect. Stage 2 was about proving we could compete. But the philosophy never changed. The A’PEXi GR86 was still built around the same principle it started with in Spring 2023: street-legal, off-the-shelf bolt-on components that anyone can purchase. No hidden development parts. No one-off race-only fabrication. No “demo car magic.” Just the right formula. And the courage to test it.

From Casual Talk to Serious Commitment
What makes Stage 2 special isn’t just the parts list, it’s how it happened.
It started as a casual conversation between friends.
“What if we ran the car?”
No official proposal. No formal agreement. Just pure passion. No contracts. And surprisingly, both drivers said yes. Those drivers were Maaya Orido and Hana Burton. Suddenly, what felt like a random idea became something real. The concept evolved naturally: What happens when two competitive drivers / rivals in their own categories,  jump into a car they’ve never driven before, equipped only with off-the-shelf components, and are asked to extract performance? No secret tuning advantage. No bespoke race dampers. No prototype aero. Just catalog parts and teamwork.

A True Test of Adaptation
For Hana, Buttonwillow Raceway wasn’t new territory. She understood the lines, braking zones, and rhythm of the circuit. She was comfortable in the 86 chassis and familiar with left-hand drive dynamics. For Maaya, this was different. It was her first time racing in the United States. Her first time at Buttonwillow. Her first time driving left-hand drive in competition. That challenge alone made this experiment compelling. Instead of approaching the weekend as rivals, the two drivers worked together. They walked the track. Compared notes. Discussed throttle application. Debated braking timing. Analyzed corner entry and exit strategy. Competition turned into collaboration. And that collaboration would become one of Stage 2’s biggest strengths.

Aggressive, But Functional
If the car was going to debut at SEMA and then immediately hit the circuit, it needed to evolve visually and mechanically.
The transformation began with the TOM’S Racing Wide Fender Kit. The GR86 suddenly stood wider, more planted, more assertive. But the purpose wasn’t just aesthetics. The wider body allowed for larger tires, more contact patch, more grip, more confidence under load. The aero philosophy followed the same mindset: if it doesn’t function, it doesn’t belong. A VOLTEX Type 3B GT Wing anchored the rear with high-speed stability. Evasive Motorsports Carbon GTLM Mirrors refined airflow. The MAX ORIDO x AKEa rear diffuser and aero cover completed the underbody balance. This wasn’t a show car with race parts bolted on for attention. This was a street-built machine refined for real performance. 

The Mechanical Foundation 
Grip and control would define the car’s true character. WEDS TC105X wheels wrapped in Yokohama A052 tires provided the mechanical bite needed to back up the aggressive stance. The car was already capable, but we wanted to take it further.
Enter the A’PEXi N1-X Evolution Dampers.
As our flagship coilover system, the N1-X offers serious control without sacrificing street usability. With the optional billet casing and refined pillow ball mounts, the chassis response sharpened dramatically.
Body roll reduced. Weight transfer became predictable. Corner entry stabilized. Mid-corner confidence increased.
And again, these were not custom race parts.
They are parts anyone can order.
That was the point. 

From SEMA Lights to Track Heat 
The GR86 debuted at the 2023 SEMA Show under the bright lights of Las Vegas, polished, wrapped, and supported by partners who believed in the vision.

But SEMA was only half the story. The real validation came at Global Time Attack. 

The drivers had limited seat time. Very few sessions to adapt. No luxury of extensive testing. And yet the progression spoke volumes.

Maaya’s first session clocked in at 2:10.34. Then 2:08. Then 2:06. And finally, a personal best of 2:02.56, achieved in just four sessions. 
For someone driving left-hand drive at Buttonwillow for the first time, that level of adaptation was nothing short of impressive.

Hana, leveraging her track knowledge and familiarity with the platform, found her rhythm quickly. Consistent 2:02 practice times led to a final weekend time of 1:58. Under two minutes. With bolt-on parts.

The Bigger Picture
Stage 2 was never about chasing the ultimate GR86 build.
It was about proving a formula. With the right components. With the right setup.

With the right communication between driver and machine. You can be competitive, and still stay true to the platform.

The A’PEXi GR86 Project isn’t about extremes.
It’s about execution.
It’s about showing that properly engineered bolt-on components can deliver real performance, not just in theory, but under pressure.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s about community.

Because this project was built to be relatable.
And Stage 2 proved that relatable can still be fast.