This post was one of the main reasons why we started our blog back in 2008 because there was alsmost no info about AE86s in our native Czech. Theres plenty of stuff about  the 86 on English websites so there really isnt any point in translating it but we feel that our Tech section would be incomplete without it. So here we go…

The fact that the AE86 is the last sporty rear wheel drive Corolla is known even amongst people who arent interested in Toyotas that much. The number of versions in which it was produced might confuse even people who own an 86 though. This article should help you if youre lost in all those models like most of us were at some point.

Lets start with the “AE86″ code itself and its meaning. Toyota terminology says that the first letter marks the engine type, second letter marks the model code and third marks the generation of that model. The A then stands for the 4A-GE engine, E is the letter used for the Corolla model range and 8 marks the fifth generation of this model (E8). The last number 6 should stand for the sixth revision of the Corolla model. So the “AE86″ can be translated as “sixth revision of the fifth generation of Corolla model range with A series engine.” But we dont really recommend saying it like that in public since you wont get any more girls in your life after that.

Hatchback vs. Coupe

Corolla AE86 came in two body versions: three-door hatchback and two-door coupe. While the coupe was about 10 to 15 kilograms lighter and had a slightly more rigit chassis, the hatchback was more popular and also much more practical. While there are plenty of 86s available in the US and Japan, finding a nice example in the rest of the world is pretty hard. If youre planning to buy an AE86, we recommend picking the one thats in better shape even if its not the body type you want.

Levin vs. Trueno

There are some big differences in the 86s front too. There were two versions of AE86s front made: one with fixed headlights known as “Levin” and one with pup-up headlights known as “Trueno“. However only the Japanese buyers could choose between these two versions, other markets recieved only one model. While the North American buyers had only pop-up Truenos, European markets offered only the fixed Levin version. There are more differences in each region but we will talk about that in a separate article.

GT vs. SR

There are some significant differences under the 86s hood too. Not every AE86 was powered by the legendary 4A-GE twincam engine. A less powerful model with a a single cam and a carburetor 4A-C engine was offered too. This 70bhp model is known as SR in Europe and SR-5 in North America. This model had a different rear axle with drum brakes and an open differential instead of a limited slip unit. The Japanese version was offered with a slightly different 1500cc 3A-U engine and is reffered to as an AE85. While the American and European buyers could only choose between the GT and SR model, the Japanese recieved many more trim versions like GT-Apex or GTV.

The 4A-GE version was equipped with a mechanical LSD from the factory, had disc brakes on all four wheels and a more sporty interior.

Zenki vs. Kouki

The last major difference between AE86s is the one  between models that came before and after the facelift which it recieved in the middle of 1985. Early models are reffered to as “zenki” and late models are known as “kouki” like with most other Japanse cars. Revised models recieved mainly cosmetic changes. The only techincal change that you should be aware of was the slight enlargement of rear driveshafts which make the zenki and kouki LSDs not interchangable. Slight changes were also made to the brake booster.

The easiest way tell apart between zenki and kouki models is by the head and tail lights and front bumper (except the US model which used the same bumpers even after 1985). Facelifted bumpers had larger turn signals that were extended into corners (check out the left photo). Kouki Levins also recieved little headlight eyelids and a lexan mask instead of a regular black plastic grille. Many 86 owners however like to mix things up and its pretty regular to see kouki Levins with zenki radiator masks and so on…

The thing that will really confuse you however are the tailKapitolou samou pro sebe jsou pak zadní světla. Každá modelová variace dostala svůj vlastní design světel a tyto designy se navíc měnili i u regionálních verzí. Proto můžete na evropských kouki Levinech vidět japonská zenki světla a na amerických Truenech zase japonská Levin kouki světla. Více o těchto rozdílech se dočtete ZDE.

Posted in Technical