(1986 Sprinter Trueno Liftback GTV AE86)
Introduction
The Corolla GT-S, otherwise known as the AE86 by its chassis code,
has been a major player in the automotive world since it's introduction
in Japan in 1983. Sold in over a dozen countries and in North
America from 1985 through 1987, it is the focal point of a culture
observed by those addicted to Japanese vehicles from generations
past, often referred to as "oldschool".
With the endless barrage of sports cars being added to the market,
the Corolla GT-S' popularity never waivers under the pressure
of their all-round superior characteristics and shows no sign
of doing so in the future. Lately evidence would show its popularity
is even growing despite the wishes of auto manufacturers pushing
the sales of their newest models.
This report analyses the contributing factors that have given birth
to a legend in the automotive community and spawned a rebirth for
the love of the simple sports car to a new generation of enthusiasts.
Creating the affordable sports car
17 years ago Toyota built a Corolla and adorned it with the "GT-S"
badge. At first glance there was nothing much to see. It was after
all a Corolla like the others, designed to follow the legacy of
almost legendary quality left by its predecessors; Small, lightweight,
useful, reliable, and fuel efficient all in one package. To the
trained eye, it was much more. The first generation of Corolla
GT-S featured amenities one would find in any sports car at that
time but never before seen in any sub-$15,000 car, let alone a
Corolla. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum
wheels, stiff suspension, 6-way adjustable driver's seat, four-wheel
disc brakes, front and rear spoilers, rear-wheel-drive, and of
course, the revolutionary engine.
The 4AGE was one of, if not the first 4 valve-per-cylinder engines
introduced to the consumer marketplace, utilizing a design that,
until its introduction in the AE86, had been confined to the racing
circuit. With the help of Yamaha, it was engineered for high revs
and feather light throttle response. It was unlike anything ever
before seen in a passenger car, and the thrill of hearing it scream
to it's incredible 7500 rpm redline is still a sobering experience
to many drivers.
>> In the Toyota engine lineup, the sports-type twin-cam
engines are the ones designed to allow the driver to enjoy sporty
driving through an emphasis on high-end output and superior response.
They utilize a DOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder configuration, but it is
a very simple and reliable one in which the camshafts act directly
on the valves. These engines are designed and built for high output
and quick response, as sports-type engines should be. Low friction
loss and improved combustion combine to result in excellent fuel
economy. Further, the simplicity of the valve-train mechanism results
in superior reliability as well as ease of maintenance. <<
(W1)
Notice how two very important words are used to describe the engine
of the AE86. Take a moment to think of any modern day performance
engine described as both simple and reliable. This was and still
is a major contributing factor to the car's popularity. Of all
things it could be and was, the engine was practical more than
anything else. This allowed Toyota to pass the car under the proven
Corolla name, for it was up to the tasks of any average family
car in terms of usefulness and die hard dependability, yet had
the potential to be much more if so desired.
Much like the engine, the car as a whole was very basic in both
design and implementation. It featured the widely used MacPherson
strut assemblies in the front with a live axle rear end available
with an optional limited slip differential. The car was quite
low in weight at approx. 1000 kg, and the 4 wheel disc brakes
provided more than enough stopping power as a result. Sharing
the layout of the majority of sports and race cars the world-over,
the AE86 split the duties of steering and power output between
the front and rear wheels respectively. Using the rear-wheel-drive
configuration allowed a greater amount of control and agility
at speed, as opposed to the often under-steering tendencies of
a front-wheel-drive setup. The aspect of reliability can be further
explained by Toyota's inclination
to over-build their parts, or in other words make them stronger
than they need to be. This is one of the fundamental factors that
have given Toyota the undisputed reputation of one of the world's
foremost quality auto manufacturers.
The learning tool
Due to its basic and simple design, the AE86 is largely agreed
upon as the ultimate learning vehicle for anyone aspiring to master
true driving skills. In an extreme sense, when compared to other
more expensive and powerful sports cars, the AE86 only differs
in terms of power, weight, and price. The way a RWD vehicle reacts
will more or less be same in any situation, and that means one
doesn't have to drive a $60,000 BMW to get the feeling of real
sports car. A Corolla GT-S can usually be had for $1000-3500 CAN,
which is considered to be a fantastic bargain to those who are
already well aware of what it has to offer.
It's ability to mimic the feel and response of other far superior
vehicles is only one of the learning aspects to be found with
the ownership of an AE86. Once again, with the emphasis that was
placed on its simplicity, the car is incredibly easy to repair,
maintain, and modify. This gives the owner the unusual opportunity
(by today's
standards) to actually work on their vehicle themselves with little
to no previous automotive knowledge.
Use of potential
From the factory, the Corolla GT-S was presented to the market
as a slightly de-tuned version of itself. Toyota seemed to designed
the AE86 more as a race car, but it had to be useful in every day
driving and diverse climate conditions seeing how only few would
be sold for immediate use on a racetrack. Thanks to 17 years of
support by suppliers of aftermarket performance parts, the Corolla
GT-S can easily be modified to become a major contender in almost
every major form of automotive competition. The AE86 has quite literally
become a piece of clay able to be molded into the desired form of
the artist. From autocross, to road racing and rallying, there are
few areas where the AE86 has not been seen and made its mark.
One type of driving spectacle in particular, known as drifting,
has attributed a great deal of fame to the AE86. In simple terms,
drifting is the highly technical skill of making a car slide sideways
under full control of the driver. Because of its light weight,
rear wheel drive, and highly responsive engine, the AE86 is regarded
as one of the best "drift" cars made to this day. In places
like North America where drag racing, the sport requiring very
little actual driving skill is observed as a major automotive
sport, drifting is a refreshing new idea being taken to by many
young enthusiasts.
Other sources to success
In case drifting wasn't enough, a few years ago a cartoon entitled
"Initial D" was created in Japan. Its star is a 17-year-old
young man who delivers tofu through narrow mountain roads in none
other than an AE86. While doing so, he gets caught up in the world
of street drifting due to his uncanny ability to drift better
than anyone else. This anime series alone increased the already
surging demand for the car in Japan, and ripples from its introduction
have already been felt here in North America. When the series
officially makes its appearance on our shores, many predict the
AE86 will increase in value substantially.
Internet based clubs like Club4AG (USA) and Dori-Kaze (Canada)
are key to the prolonged success of the Corolla GT-S since they
promote educated decisions and assistance to AE86 owners all over
the world. Many owners would have abandoned their cars long ago
had it not been for the words of wisdom provided at these online
gathering places.
Conclusion
All the aspects that contribute to making the Corolla GT-S the
success it is today evolve around one key element; the experience
the driver has behind the wheel. If it didn't provide an experience
so enjoyable, so real, giving the driver full control of every
aspect of the ride, everything else would be meaningless.
>> Balance, responsiveness, light weight, and a communicative
chassis are the most important factors in making a car that is enjoyable
to drive. You want a car that does what you tell it to do, and in
turn tells you what it is doing. You want a car that involves you
in driving rather than distancing you from it. Why drive a less-involving
car at over 100mph, when I can be enjoying myself more in an involving
car at 80mph?
- Jesse Fairbank
AE86 owner
A true sports car should not lessen the enjoyment and control
the driver has over the vehicle, nor should it be weighed down
or robbed of power with luxuries such as heated seats, cruise
control, or power locks and windows. People have been successfully
brainwashed by auto manufacturers into believing a sports car
is all about looks, hype, and horsepower when nothing could be
further than the truth, much like the AE86 proves to this day.
What they don't want the
buyers of today to realize is that with each technical enhancement,
each computer operated function added, the driving aspect in the
definition of "driver" becomes increasingly vague.
The AE86 had no anti-lock brakes, no over-bearing safeguards, no
impressive sound system, little horsepower, and a simple if not
archaic suspension setup, but what it did have was the makings of
a real sports car.
A short primer on the AE86 - by Chris Migs
Works Cited
Toyota Motor Corporation. "Toyota Engine Technology" September
1989: W1.
Glossary
Limited slip differential
A type of differential which avoids loss of useable power by
directing it to the wheel with the most traction
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