Ask any car lover under 40 what pop-up headlights mean and they’ll probably think of anime, ’80s cheekbones, or the sound of a door slamming at a midnight touge meet. Now imagine that little flourish grafted onto a modern Toyota GR86. That’s exactly what Tokyo tuner Result Japan has done with its new NEO86 project.
The headline grabber is obvious: working hideaway headlights on a contemporary Toyobaru. But the NEO86 isn’t just a novelty front end slapped on a fresh chassis. Result Japan set out to channel the spirit of the AE86 Sprinter Trueno — the icon of Initial D — and built a full body kit that exaggerates proportions, adds chunky bumpers, and integrates a custom hood so the pop-ups don’t look like an afterthought.
How it was done (as far as we can tell)
Result has been teasing the project for months with 3D renders and test-fits. What’s visible in photos and posts: much wider fenders that blend nearly factory-smooth, a reworked front bumper and lip, and a hood cut to accommodate the headlamp housings and a new lip line. The stance is more aggressive, and the kit carries an Initial D–style two-tone treatment on at least one example, finished off with classic Watanabe-style wheels that complete the retro vibe.
Execution matters here. Instead of simply carving out the stock light apertures and filling the gap, Result appears to have designed the hood, fenders, and bumper to play together — which is why the pop-ups look like they belong rather than look bolted on. Still, the mix of ’80s squareness and the GR86’s modern curves is polarizing. Some of the photos make the proportions feel slightly off; others make you wish every coupe still had a little mechanism that could flip up and wink at oncoming traffic.
Where and when you can see it (and buy it?)
Result Japan dubbed the car the NEO86 and plans to show it at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, where pre-orders for the kit will reportedly begin. It sounds like the company intends to offer a full kit that GR86/BRZ owners can fit to their cars — though details are light on whether installations will be dealer-handled or DIY-friendly, how extensive the kit is (bolt-on panels vs. cutting and welding), and how much it will cost. Given the niche appeal and the bespoke fitment, don’t expect it to be cheap — at least not compared to bolt-on lip kits.
One question is availability outside Japan. Many niche tuners limit initial sales to the domestic market, with international distribution coming later (or through specialty importers). If you’re in the U.S., that could mean added shipping, customs, and installation headaches — but for some buyers, the look is worth the trouble.
Why this matters (or at least why people care)
Pop-up headlights are largely extinct in modern production cars because of pedestrian-safety regulations, manufacturing complexity, and the push toward sleeker, flatter front ends. That hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from chasing the aesthetic. Projects like the NEO86 tap into a broader aftermarket appetite for retro cues on modern platforms — a trend that shows up in bolt-on performance parts, wildly reimagined bodywork, and event cars across the globe. If you’re into aftermarket culture, from turbo kits to visual transformations, this is one more colorful example of tuners pushing style boundaries (not unlike recent factory aftermarket releases such as Ford’s SEMA-derived parts) aftermarket tweaks like Ford's SEMA Maverick turbo kit.
Beyond parts and panels, the NEO86 also nods to drift, touge, and gymkhana subcultures that keep these design languages alive — communities that still celebrate the AE86 as a cultural touchstone drift and gymkhana culture that still fuels projects like this.
If you like the idea of a modern coupe with an ’80s grin, keep an eye on Result Japan’s booth at Tokyo Auto Salon. If you’re more skeptical, there’s still something delightful about a tuner willing to build a whimsical, mechanically clever homage rather than a safe, forgettable remake.
Photography and teaser posts from Result Japan have driven most of the early attention. Expect more technical details, pricing, and order windows once the kit officially debuts at the show in January 2026.