MASTER OF THE TOUGE: The Evolution of the AE86

Toyota is built on the philosophy of ‘kaizen’ or ‘continuous innovation.’ This way of thinking drives everything we do, but the kaizen approach is never more evident than when we go racing. We win the Dakar, we win Le Mans, we’re WRC champions because continuous innovation is part of our DNA.

The AE86

In 1985, small cars were quickly turning to front-wheel drive layouts as they promised better fuel economy and less maintenance than rear-wheel drive, and the Corolla was no exception. But those with a passion for performance knew that rear-wheel drive cars simply handled better. By leaving the front wheels to steer, and the rear wheels to drive power to the track, drivers had much more control. Still, around the world the new fifth-generation Corolla was mostly available as a front-wheel drive vehicle.

However, the team behind the Corolla insisted that they weren’t entirely done with rear-wheel drive, lightweight, front-engined performance cars, and mercifully, they were given one last swan song. So they set about improving on the fourth generation’s platform and engine, refining just a little bit further, tweaking until everything was just right. The result was the AE86, a special edition of the Corolla known as the Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno.

While there were two body types (two-door coupe and three-door hatchback) as well as many trim options, the core values of all AE86s were the same. They were all rear-wheel drive, light, affordable, easily modifiable and combined a five-speed manual transmission, optional limited slip differential, MacPherson strut front suspension, high revving (7800 rpm), twin-cam engine with near 50/50 front/rear weight balance. This was a car that had everything it needed and nothing it didn’t, unlike the performance cars of today, it was incredibly simple, and so of course it was perfect for the racetrack.

The Drift King

The AE86 was made for racing, and was extremely successful in Group A and Group N in both touring car championships and rally. Drivers loved its perfect balance and responsive engine but it was Japanese racing legend Keiichi Tsuchiya who truly connected with the AE86.

As a teenager he was inspired by racecar driver and the father of drifting, Kunimitsu Takahashi. He was determined to emulate his graceful yet unorthodox cornering technique and, after years of practice in solitude on the downhill sections of mountain passes, he became a hashiriya (street racer) legend. Drivers would travel to the ‘touge’ (mountain road) he called home to compete with Tsuchiya, but no one could match his skill.

When he inevitably graduated to professional racing, the AE86 became his weapon of choice and together the two were an unstoppable force. In fact, the combination was so dominant that Tsuchiya soon became bored with the conventional racing line. It was time to go drifting. Racing officials didn’t like his unconventional cornering style and link to illegal racing. But it didn't matter, fans couldn’t get enough of his wild antics. After drifting through the longest corner of Fuji Speedway (the Fuji 100r corner) in the rain he was christened the Drift King ("Dori-Kin" in Japanese).

The Dori-Kin was such an exciting driver behind the wheel of an AE86 that he transcended motorsport. In 1987, a Japanese tuning shop teamed up with a local car magazine to create a film that showcased Tsuchiya's incredible skill. Titled ‘The Touge’, this straight-to-VHS masterpiece features the Drift King behind the wheel of a Toyota GTV Levin drifting through the Usui Touge, his home course.

Here the perfectly balanced body, high revving engine and simple limited-slip differential shines. Tsuchiya was able to weave his AE86 through complex and dangerous runs with ease, linking the treacherous corners together with graceful drifts, his clutch kicks conducting an orchestra of opposite-lock, screaming rubber and twin-cam crescendos.