Wow. Is this for real? The folks over at celica.net say Toyota may be considering reviving the Corolla Sport, otherwise known as the AE86 platform (particularly to Initial D fans), which came in either Levin or Trueno (the former with pop-up lights, and the latter with fixed headlamps). The AE86 platform was unique in that it was the last of the FR-configuration (front engine, rear-wheel-drive) Corollas that Toyota came out with (this was during the mid-1980’s). This proved great for racing, especially with the drifting scene that was starting to get popular in Japan that time.

... Toyota might be considering re-releasing the driftastic Corolla Sport. The endearingly tossable rear-wheel-drive AE86 platform was known by many names around the world: Corolla Levin, Sprinter Trueno, Corolla GT and of course the Corolla Sport in the States. Particularly in GT-S trim, it was one of the few sporty models to make its way into Toyota dealerships, alongside the Celica and Supra, and eventually the MR2, which essentially replaced it. But it was fun and cheap, and that set it apart. Available from 1983-1987, it was one of the last affordable rear-drive cars that could take a pounding, making it a favorite of budget street racers and the emerging drift scene in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

I hear AE86 of various conditions can fetch up to a cool PhP 1 million locally. That’s enough to buy you a brand new top of the line Honda Civic. If Toyota were to come out with a lightweight, FR layout sprinter at an affordable price, I’d love to get my hands on one.

BTW, if you’d like to learn more about drifting or other driving-related stuff, do check out my new Study Driving blog. Contributors are welcome.

Tags: ae86, Automotive, cars, corolla, drifting, motorsport, racing, Toyota | Viewed 4892 times