Our pals at Winding Road just passed along a note that 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.
It looks like the suits at Toyota are close to greenlighting a new version. Apparently the idea has been floated several times over the years with mixed reaction, but it seems to be gaining some momentum lately. There is reportedly some disagreement within the corporate ranks over whether or not it would actually sell, but a few officials appear to be backing it strongly. Must be some Initial D fans up in there. A modernized Hachi-Roku would have to find a suitable rwd platform, but would be a blast to see in the lineup again. Of course, we've had access to AE86 in games like Need For Speed for years now, but getting our hands on the real deal would be sweet. We'll keep our fingers crossed on this one.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Peter @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:05PM
Yes please! Toyota needs to get back to their roots in cheap, chuckable RWD goodness.
judd @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:08PM
I'll put money down right now an I can sell the one I have.
judd @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:08PM
I'll put money down right now and sell the one I have.
judd @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:09PM
sorry for the double post :P
MaxP @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:09PM
gimme gimme now!
Brian @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:11PM
I would love to see this happen but I'm not holding my breath.
Big jim @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:17PM
final toyota builds a sporty car
Tool @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:18PM
IF they did this, it would most likely be channeled in Scion, not Toyota.
Owain Ozymandias Buck @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:34PM
Yes. Build it.
I really don't care who makes it. The first manufacturer who can put out a light, RWD coupe or hatch, with a peppy but fuel efficient motor, and do it CHEAP, will get my money.
This would be a good model for Scion IMO.
Good autocross car I bet.
Heck, the thing ain't even built, and I'm already thinking of what I'd do to it first!
MosDef332 @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:35PM
I drive a Corolla and was starting to lose faith in Toyota's ability to/interest in ever building something sporty again. They've gone so far down the hybrid path I'm really not surprised there is so much internal disagreement over whether to bring the AE86 back or not.
In any case, I just hope they do it and do it right, which means keeping the car as cheap, light, RWD and with lots of potential for modding. NOW HURRY UP AND DO IT, TOYOTA!
djSyndrome @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:50PM
Interestingly enough, if this happens Toyota will have restarted a market segment that was long ago abandoned here in North America. There are currently zero rear-wheel drive four-cylinder coupes on sale today. As long as any electronic stability aids can be disabled, I'm sold.
Michael Karesh @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:08PM
I believe the GTS was introduced in 1984 as a 1985 model. (The 70-horse version came out a year earlier.)
Whatever the year, it was my first experience with a DOHC 16-valve engine, and I loved it. A real eye opener. 112 horsepower, a lot at the time for this size car, and a 7,800 RPM redline. (Or was it 7,600?)
Then I took a friend looking for a new car to drive it. He drove it like he would any other car, shifting at 3,000 RPM or lower, and couldn't figure out what I saw in the car.
I've been saying ever since Lexus introduced the IS 300 that what the world really, really needs is a small RWD tossable car (preferably including a 5-door hatch variant ) for under $25,000. Of course, under $20,000 would be even better.
So bring it on.
Brandon @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:10PM
I just recently sold my 87 Corolla Rwd and it was a hell of a car. I hope they decide to build a new one, because I will be in line to buy one.
Otto Nginir @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:17PM
Intriguing, almost gets me excited at the prospect of a Toyota-anvil reliable small, light, entertaining rwd coupe/hatch - with a tight 5 or 6 speed manual transmission... But then I look at the general "snooze-a-rama" styling, handling, performance approach to almost *all* of Toyota's current products, and the dream fades rather abruptly. Great if it happens, I would *seriously* be in line - possible = yes - probable? = not so much
Darrell @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:19PM
After owning an '83 Toyota Celica GT-S, I'd put my money down on another RWD Toyota built hatchback!
RickDom @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:24PM
If they did it, I might actually buy a Toyota!
G @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:32PM
BUILD IT. I personally guarantee it will sell. Don't chicken out on this one Toyota, this car will bring your brand respect.
HardwareGuy @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:44PM
This better not just be a tease. Toyota is effectively dead to me since they stopped pretending to care about people who like to drive. If this is true I would crap my pants.
Pop @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:52PM
This would fit right into the Scion brand, actually. Those cars are already on a limited run, so no worried about it either selling too much, or not at all. They could just put out a super limited Release Series of 1500-2000 cars like they do with the Scions every year and see how well they sell and then go from there.
Seriously. What are they waiting for?
Cypher09 @ Mar 22nd 2007 5:00PM
This is what the Scion TC should have been.