What car is the 86?
3 Answers
86 refers to the Toyota 86, named after the abbreviation of Future Toyota 86 Concept, meaning the Toyota 86 concept car, serving as the successor to the Corolla Levin (Toyota AE86). The Toyota 86 measures 4240mm in length, 1775mm in width, and 1285mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2570mm. The Toyota 86 is equipped with a 2.0L horizontally opposed engine sourced from Subaru. TOYOTA has incorporated direct fuel injection technology into this engine. When paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, it delivers a maximum power of 200ps and a maximum torque of 205nm.
When it comes to the 86, the first thing that comes to my mind is Takumi's heavily modified AE86 from "Initial D"! The racing version of the old Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, a classic rear-wheel-drive manual. The drifting down the mountain in the movie was absolutely epic, with the hood vents and the iconic panda color scheme (white with black accents) making it instantly recognizable. But finding a genuine AE86 in the used car market these days is like searching for a needle in a haystack—they're all collector's items now. The current 86 is actually a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, badged as a Toyota but using Subaru's horizontally opposed engine. It's still a fantastic tool for handling; I test-drove the new model, and the tire squeal during cornering is much more restrained compared to the old version.
I've been into car modification for ten years. In our circle, the 86 is seen in two roles: the old model is a sacred relic of nostalgia, while the new one is a cost-effective hot hatch. The original AE86 chassis is ridiculously light—just swap in a high-revving engine and it's ready to drift, though the unassisted steering makes it feel like lifting weights. The current GR86 retains the essence of rear-wheel drive and comes with a factory-installed limited-slip differential for added safety. The new engine has quicker low-end response, but I think the exhaust note isn't as pure as the old model. When buying used, pay attention to the chassis bushings—track enthusiasts often wear them out. Recently, I helped a fellow enthusiast install a carbon fiber hood, and the weight reduction was immediately noticeable.
