The AE86 is a chassis code, corresponding to the Toyota Sprinter TRUENO and its twin model, the Toyota Corolla Levin, produced between 1983 and 1988. It specifically refers to versions equipped with the 4A-GE 1.6L inline-four-cylinder engine and adopting a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Both the Sprinter TRUENO and Corolla Levin series include two body styles: a two-door sedan and a three-door hatchback. In markets outside of Japan, the AE86 is also known as the Toyota Corolla Sport, Corolla 3-door hatchback, among others.
The car gained global recognition and became highly sought after by car enthusiasts because of its iconic role in the famous racing anime "Initial D." In the series, the protagonist, Takumi Fujiwara, drives an AE86 to defeat many formidable opponents. In the anime, Takumi Fujiwara's AE86 is the 1983 Sprinter TRUENO GT-APEX 3-door, a top-spec model featuring a three-door hatchback body, equipped with the 4A-GE engine, and represents the model before its mid-term redesign.
