Toyota AE86 : Models & specifications

In Japan, the DOHC 4A-GEU AE86 was offered in GT, GT-APEX and GTV trims as the Corolla Levin or Sprinter Trueno. In North America, the top-spec DOHC 4A-GEC was sold as the Corolla GT-S (with AE86 on the build plate in the engine bay but AE88 in the VIN), with the SOHC 4A-C being sold as the Corolla SR5 (with AE86 on the build plate and in the VIN). Both versions were sold with pop-up headlights only. Euro spec models were sold as the Corolla GT with DOHC engines and fixed Levin-style headlights. The Middle East received the same basic model as the North American market, with pop-up headlights and the regulated 5 mph (8 km/h) bumpers.

The lightest AE86 is the Japanese 2 door GT model which weighs 910 kg (2,006 lb). It has the same exterior as the GTV trim, but with the interior of the AE85 with the exception of the gauges, and is equipped with rear drum brakes.

North American AE86 specifications

A Corolla GTS, with Sprinter Trueno trim modification

 

There are three types of Corolla Sport RWD for the US market: DX, SR5, and GT-S, though the DX was generally an internal Toyota designation, as brochures, and advertising do not include the DX designation; it consisted of a lower trim level, lighter duty suspension parts and the like.

• Model Years of production: 1983 to 1987
• Versions: DX, SR5 and GT-S (85+ Only)
• Drag Coefficient: 0.39

Note that the VIN and the chassis code do not match for all models.

DX & SR5 specifications

• First 7 characters of VIN: JT2AE85 (DX) or JT2AE86 (SR5)
• Chassis code: AE86 (which may differ from the VIN)
• Horsepower: 87 hp (64 kW) @ 4800 rpm* Torque: 85 lb·ft (115 N·m) @ 2800 rpm*
• Weight: approximately 2200 lb (998 kg) to 2400 lb (1089 kg)
• Engine: 4A-C, 1587 cc
• Engine type: SOHC 8-valve Inline-4 carbureted
• M/T transmission: T50, 6-bolt flywheel
• A/T transmission: A42DL, 4-speed overdrive w/lockup torque converter, mechanically controlled, with electronically engaged overdrive
• Compression: 9.0:1
• Differential: 6.38" Open with 4.10:1 Ratio, 2-pinion (Automatic) (S292) or 3.91:1 ratio, 4-pinion (5-speed) (S314)
• Wheels/tires: 13x5" +33 mm offset rims with 185/70R13 tires

GT-S specifications

• First 7 characters of VIN: JT2AE88
• Chassis code: AE86 (which differs from the VIN)
• Horsepower: 112 hp (84 kW) @ 6600 rpm* Torque: 97 lb·ft (132 N·m) @ 4800 rpm*
• Weight: approximately 2200 lb (998 kg) to 2400 lb (1089 kg)
• Engine: 4A-GE, 1587 cc
• Engine type: DOHC 16-valve Inline-4 AFM Multiport Fuel Injection w/T-VIS
• Transmission: T50, 8-bolt flywheel
• Injector size: approx. 180 cc, low impedance
• Compression: 9.4:1
• Differential: 6.7" Open (T282) or optional LSD (USA Only) (T283) with 4.30:1 Ratio, 2-pinion
• Wheels/tires: 14x5.5" +27 mm Offset Rims with 185/60R14 82H Tires (195/60R14 85H for 86+ models)

The AE86 in motorsports

Drifting AE86

 

During its production life, the AE86 was a popular choice for showroom stock, Group A, and Group N racing, especially in rallying and circuit races. Even after production of the car was discontinued, many privateer teams still raced the AE86, and it is still a popular choice for rallying and club races today. Part of the continued appeal of the AE86 for motorsports is its rear-drive configuration, a feature not available in most newer lightweight coupes. In Group A world rally cars (1600 cc class) the 4A-GZE engine was popular. In Group A touring car races, the car either dominated the lower category where eligible or fought it out with Honda Civics or the later AE92s and AE101s whilst maintaining its competitiveness. In Ireland, where rallying is considered one of the most popular forms of motorsport, as organizing regulations are more relaxed compared to that of other countries, the AE86 was popular when new, and is still so popular that teams will purchase cars from the UK due to local shortages. The AE86 is also popular for rally use in Finland, where the cars can be competitive in the F-Cup competition for naturally aspirated 2WD cars.

The semi-factory supported Kraft team entered a spaceframe Trueno at the JGTC with a 3S-GTE engine that came from a SW20 MR-2 Turbo producing about 300 hp (224 kW) for the JGTC GT300 regulations in 1998. Despite being popular with the racefans, the car had minor success and was abandoned from use halfway through the 2001 season in favor of a newly delivered MR-S.

The rear wheel drive configuration, combined with the AE86's light weight (approximately 2300 lb (950–970 kg) curb weight), balance and relatively powerful (and easy to tune) 4A-GEU engine made it popular among the Japanese hashiriya (street racers in Japanese), many of whom raced in touge (mountain passes in Japanese) where the corners suited the AE86 best, especially on the downhill.Among those who utilized this car was Japanese racing legend Keiichi Tsuchiya also known as the Drift King ("Dori-Kin" in Japanese). Keiichi Tsuchiya helped popularize the sport of drifting, which involves taking a car on a set of controlled slides through corners. The AE86's FR configuration made it well suited to this kind of cornering, and currently the car is a mainstay of drift shows and competitions. Japanese drifters like Katsuhiro Ueo, Toshiki Yoshioka, Yoichi Imamura, Koichi Yamashita, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tetsuya Hibino, and Wataru Hayashi were also involved in making the AE86 famous in the drift scene.

In popular culture

Initial D AE86 replica in Melbourne, Australia

The main character of the anime and manga Initial D, Takumi Fujiwara, uses his father's AE86 Trueno apex hatchback for racing and making his tofu deliveries. Also in Initial D, Itsuki Takeuchi drives an AE85 Levin, mistaken for an AE86 and Wataru Akiyama drives a turbocharged (later converted to supercharged) AE86 Corolla Levin. Later on in the series, Shinji Inui drives the Notchback coupe version of the AE86 Trueno, but not before the Fake Takumi drives his own AE86 Trueno.

The popularity of the manga is cited as the main cause of the car's high resale price.
The Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin is featured in the racing video games series Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport (excluding Corolla Levin), Tokyo Xtreme Racer for the Sega Dreamcast (which was later made to PS1 & PS2 for other TXR titles), Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V as the Karin Futo (modelled based on the Corolla Levin). A modified AE86 Trueno similar to the one depicted in Initial D (start of Gran Turismo 3) appears only in Gran Turismo. The American market AE86 GT-S is featured as oldest and least powerful of the lot, nonetheless equally competitive and a car of choice, in Need for Speed: Underground 2. The Toyota AE86 also appears in Need for Speed: The Run and can be used in challenges and multiplayer events. It also appears in Need for Speed: World.

The AE86 also appears in the anime and manga Wangan Midnight. In the Wangan Midnight MAXIMUM TUNE 4 video game based on the manga, an AE86 similar to Takumi Fujiwara's AE86 was in a Level 51 of the story mode, driven by one of the Feeling Team members. It is also one of the selectable cars in the Toyota section.