Imagine hitting the backcountry trails in a sports car that doesn't break the bank, leaving those high-dollar exotics in the dust—or the mud. That's exactly what the folks at Kuhl have cooked up with their Outroad Toyota GR86 kit. This setup turns the everyday Toyota GR86, or its Subaru BRZ twin, into a rugged machine ready for paths where pavement ends. It's a smart, wallet-friendly answer to pricier options like the Porsche 911 Dakar or the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, proving you don't need a six-figure ride to chase adventure.
At the heart of this transformation is Kuhl's conversion kit, priced at just under $30,000. It's designed for guys who love their rear-wheel-drive coupes but crave more versatility. Installing it lets GR86 and BRZ owners "Run fast on a pathless road," as Kuhl puts it. The kit starts with a coilover suspension system that jacks up the ride height by a solid three inches, giving you the clearance to tackle rough terrain without scraping the underbelly. And if that's not enough lift for your off-road ambitions, there's an optional hydraulic lifter that can add another inch and a half on demand—perfect for those unexpected rocky spots or deep ruts.
Image credit: Kuhl
The visual upgrades aren't just for show; they add real function too. Kuhl fits the GR86 with beefy 18-inch forged wheels wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires, built to grip dirt, gravel, or whatever the trail throws at you. Up front, a new bumper comes with integrated crash bars to protect against brushes with boulders or branches. The rear gets a similar tough bumper treatment. Side steps make it easier to hop in and out, especially after a long day of exploring, while matte black fender flares widen the stance and keep mud from flying everywhere. Throw in a roof carrier system for hauling gear like tents, coolers, or fishing rods, and you've got a setup that's as practical as it is fun. For that extra flair, Kuhl adds rear window louvers to cut down on glare and a ducktail spoiler that nods to classic performance styling while helping with aerodynamics on those mixed highway-to-trail runs.
But Kuhl doesn't stop at the body and suspension—they know power matters when you're pushing through the wilderness. Their performance package amps up the GR86's 2.4-liter Subaru-designed flat-four engine, bumping output from the stock 228 horsepower to a punchier 290 horses. It includes a turbocharger for that extra boost, an ECU remap to optimize everything, and an oil cooler to keep temperatures in check during hard drives. This isn't about turning it into a monster truck; it's about giving you the edge to handle dirt roads with the same thrill you get on twisty pavement. The engine upgrades run about $8,000, or 1,250,000 yen, on top of the base kit.
Image credit: Kuhl
Speaking of costs, the basic Outroad kit rings in at 4,150,000 yen, roughly $26,500, and that covers installation and paint matching to keep things looking factory-fresh. Factor in the price of a new GR86 or BRZ, and you're still way under the $300,000 mark where those fancy Porsche or Lamborghini off-roaders start. It's a deal that makes sense for anyone who's ever dreamed of blending sports car handling with trail capability without emptying their savings. You'd be hard-pressed to find a used 911 Dakar or Huracán Sterrato for anything close to that, let alone a new one.
Right now, this Kuhl magic is only happening in Japan, where tuners like them have a knack for pushing boundaries on affordable platforms. But for American enthusiasts—those who spend weekends scouting forest service roads or desert tracks—it's time to make some noise. Start reaching out to Toyota dealers, hit up online forums, or even petition Subaru to bring this kit stateside. After all, the GR86 already has a cult following here for its lightweight fun and driver-focused vibe; adding off-road chops could make it the ultimate do-it-all machine for guys who refuse to park their passion when the asphalt runs out.
Image credit: Kuhl
This isn't just another bolt-on accessory—it's a game-changer for the sports car world. The standard GR86 shines on the street or track, but Kuhl's kit opens up a whole new playground. Picture cruising through national parks, splashing through streams, or just taking the long way home on unpaved routes, all while keeping that flat-four engine humming. It's about freedom, affordability, and not settling for the ordinary. If you've got a GR86 sitting in the garage, or you're thinking about picking one up, this conversion could be the upgrade that keeps you grinning for miles, no matter the surface.
