Toyota AE86 redux?
Toyota AE86 redux?
Originally Posted by Peter Nunn
Rumors about a revival of that brilliant, rear-drive, lightweight Toyota Corolla Sport coupe that starred in the ‘80s continue to do make the rounds in Tokyo.
Known as the AE86, and sold in Japan variously as the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, it was also a hit in Europe as the Corolla GT and sold in North America as the Corolla Sport (in DX, SR5, and GT-S trims, respectively). It’s a car that’s still number one among the toge zoku, Japan’s late night mountain racing tribe thanks to a wonderful, willful chassis that was just born to powerslide.
Senior factions with Toyota have been keen to bring the car back, but the sales and marketing teams have so far torpedoed it because they can’t believe it would sell.
First, of course, Toyota would need a good Corolla-class, rear-drive chassis, but sadly, there aren’t too many of those to go around right now. But still, the speculation about a modern day AE86 just won’t go away…
Known as the AE86, and sold in Japan variously as the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, it was also a hit in Europe as the Corolla GT and sold in North America as the Corolla Sport (in DX, SR5, and GT-S trims, respectively). It’s a car that’s still number one among the toge zoku, Japan’s late night mountain racing tribe thanks to a wonderful, willful chassis that was just born to powerslide.
Senior factions with Toyota have been keen to bring the car back, but the sales and marketing teams have so far torpedoed it because they can’t believe it would sell.
First, of course, Toyota would need a good Corolla-class, rear-drive chassis, but sadly, there aren’t too many of those to go around right now. But still, the speculation about a modern day AE86 just won’t go away…
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Thoughts? Comments?
I've been hearing this rumor being tossed around for years and I'm not sure what to think of it. One thing's for sure, one of the Japanese Manufacturers needs to come out with a cheap/lightweight/rwd car ASAP!
I wish... Any sort of cheaper, rwd sports car would be good for toyota right now, IMO since their new powerhouse sports cars may be coming out in the near future. I doubt they'll bring it back though.
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Toyo won't do it. They are making so much money since the death of the supra and made enough cars in the world wide market to have GM quaking in their boots.
Even the 240 guys are clamoring for a new low end, rwd platform . . . they also know that the 350z and the G35 are raking money for Nissan. Why make a car for a lower price w/ a new S-chassis and possibly compete against the 350z as the top performance dog?
Even the 240 guys are clamoring for a new low end, rwd platform . . . they also know that the 350z and the G35 are raking money for Nissan. Why make a car for a lower price w/ a new S-chassis and possibly compete against the 350z as the top performance dog?
