Toyota AE85

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Toyota Corolla Levin/
Sprinter Trueno (AE85)
85trueno f (cropped).jpg
1983–1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno 1.5 SE (Japan)
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Also calledToyota Corolla,
Toyota Sprinter
ProductionMay 1983[1]–1987
AssemblyToyota City, Japan (Takaoka plant)[2]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car
Warm hatch
Sport compact
Body style2-door coupé,
3-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
PlatformE70
RelatedToyota AE86
Toyota Corolla (E70)
Toyota Sprinter (E70)
Daihatsu Charmant
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L 3A-U I4
Power output84–86 PS (83–85 bhp; 62–63 kW)
Transmission5-speed manual T50
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94 in)
LengthCorolla Levin:
4,185 mm (165 in) (1983-1985)[3]
4,200 mm (165 in) (1985-1987)[4]
Sprinter Trueno:
4,205 mm (166 in) (1983-1985)[2]
4,215 mm (166 in) (1985-1987)[5]
Width1,625 mm (64.0 in)
Height1,335 mm (52.6 in)
Curb weight855–920 kg (1,885–2,028 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorToyota Corolla/Sprinter SR coupé (AE70)
SuccessorToyota Corolla Levin Zi/Sprinter Trueno Xi (AE91)

The Toyota AE85, sold as the Toyota Corolla Levin or Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a rear-wheel drive compact manufactured by Toyota from 1983-1987. The AE85 shares its chassis and basic design with the famous AE86, but while the AE86 was designed for performance, the AE85 was designed for economy and differs mainly in its engine. The chassis code "AE85" is used to describe the 1500 cc RWD model from the range. In classic Toyota code, the "A" represents the engine that came in the car (3A series), "E" represents the Corolla, "8" represents the fifth generation (E80 Series) and "5" represents the variation within this generation. The Levin has fixed-headlights, and the Trueno has retractable headlights, both came in hatchback or coupe variations.

The AE85 was not sold in North America. The leading characters in the VIN do not always use the same characters as the chassis code, so some less powerful variants of the AE86 (with the 1.6 L engine) were sold there with an AE86 chassis code on the build plate in the engine bay but with AE85 in the VIN.[6]

Engine / Technical[]

The inaugural AE85 model's standard equipment included Toyota's 3A-U carburetor-equipped Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) motor displacing 1,452cc (cubic centimeter) and K50 cable-clutch transmission. It featured drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering.[7] It did not incorporate the limited-slip differential (LSD) or rear disc brakes of the higher-performing AE86.

The A Series engines are a family of straight-4 internal combustion engines with displacement from 1.3 L to 1.8 L produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. The AE85 featured the 3A-U engine, which at the time was nothing new; fourth generation Toyota Corollas and Sprinters such as the AE70 featured the same engine. Toyota opted to use the older, less powerful engine in the AE85 to keep costs down, while still providing enough power for an economy class car. This decision led the AE85 to be outclassed in horsepower by not only the stronger AE86, but most other options at the time. However, it was rated by the Japanese Ministry of Transport to have a fuel economy of 26.4 km/L (62.1 mi/gal) when running at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph)[8] which was drastically better than most other cars of its class.

Body Variations[]

The AE85 and AE86 was available in multiple body variations,[6] and also with fixed front headlights (Levin) or pop-up headlights (Trueno). Because of their identical outward appearance, the variants can sometimes be mistaken. All AE85 variants have 1.5 L engines, and are nearly identical in form to their 1.6 L AE86 counterparts. The Corolla Levin was unique to Toyota Japan retail sales channel called Toyota Corolla Store, and the Sprinter Trueno was available new only at Toyota Vista Store locations.

SR and SE[]

The AE85 SR and SE both come in Levin or Trueno versions, the former being a 3-door hatchback, and the latter being the 2-door variant.

XL and GL[]

Both of these models were low grade versions that were less expensive. The XL model is a 2-door Trueno, and the GL is a 2-door Levin.

XL-Lissé and GL-Lime[]

The Lisse and Lime were luxury variants of the XL and GL models, featuring automatic transmission (some came factory manual) and power steering, they were marketed heavily towards women in Japan.[8] The Lisse is a 2-door Trueno, and the Lime is a 2-door Levin.

Differences between AE85 and AE86[]

A comparison of the 1983–1985 AE86 (red) and the AE85 (grey) Corolla Levins.

Mechanical

  • The engine model is a 1.5 L 3A-U SOHC, which is much less powerful than the 1.6 L 4A-GEU or 4A-C engine that AE86 cars had.[9]
  • It has solid front disc brakes, AE86 is equipped with ventilated disc brakes.[10]
  • It did not have rear disc brakes (same as AE86 GT that using drum brakes).[10]
  • The drive shaft on AE85 is a one-piece type, AE86 has two-piece type.[10]
  • It did not have limited-slip differential (LSD).
  • It did not have rear suspension stabilizer bar, except for SR hatchbacks.[10]

Exterior

Sprinter Trueno 1.5 SE
  • It has GL, GL-Lime, XL, XL-Lissé, SE or SR badge (AE86 has GT, GT-V or GT-Apex for the Japanese market, SR-5 or GT-S for North American market and GTi for some European markets).
Colored B pillar and chrome window trims on AE86 SR5 coupé, similar to AE85 SE/XL-Lissé coupé.[5]
  • The B pillar color for the Sprinter Trueno SE/XL-Lissé coupé is the same as the color of the car. There rest of the AE85/86 Sprinter Trueno coupé range has black B pillar color.[5]
  • The Sprinter Trueno SE/XL-Lissé coupé has chrome window trims, same as SR5 AE86 had. The rest of the AE85/86 Sprinter Trueno coupé range has black window trims.[5]
  • It did not have corner lamps for the 1985-1987 Sprinter Trueno.[5]

Interior

  • Right-hand drive only, as it only built for the Japanese market.
  • The red line on the tachometer is only 6000 rpm (The DOHC AE86 has 7600 rpm red line), same as the SR5 AE86 had. The GL and XL models did not have tachometer.[11]
  • It did not have sport seat (except for the 1985-1987 Corolla Levin SR hatchback model), same as the AE86 GT.[3]
Two-spokes steering wheel of medium trim levels E80 Corollas/Sprinters, similar to SE, 1983-1985 SR and AE86 GT. The gauge cluster is also almost identical.[3]
  • Three steering wheel models were available, two two-spokes model steering wheels similar to the lower-medium trim levels of E80 Corollas/Sprinters/AE86 GT and a three-spoke model for the 1985-1987 Corolla Levin SR hatchback, similar to AE86 GT-V/GT-Apex and AE82 Corolla GT/FX-GT.[3]

Popular culture[]

The car is known colloquially in Japan as the Hachi-Go (ハチゴー), meaning "Eight-Five". The word "trueno" is Spanish for thunder, and "levin" is Old English for "lightning".

Privateer racing teams in Japan would use the AE85 and convert it to an AE86 since it is much cheaper by performing an engine swap. Using modifications such as a bolt-on turbo or supercharger, racers can strengthen their vehicle while keeping the light weight of the AE85 body.[12]

In anime and manga Initial D, side character Itsuki Takeuchi mistakenly purchases an AE85 instead of an AE86, getting ridiculed by his co-workers in the process.

References[]

  1. ^ "Toyota Family Tree". toyota-global.com. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "75 years of Toyota - Sprinter Trueno 5th". www.toyota-global.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 Japanese brochure". www.banpei.net. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  4. ^ "75 years of Toyota - Corolla Levin 5th". www.toyota-global.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "1986 Toyota Sprinter Trueno". japanclassic.ru. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "AE86 Model Name Comparison - Club4AG". club4ag.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  7. ^ "1983 Toyota Sprinter Trueno Coupé 1500 SR AE85 specifications, information, data, photos 262559". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "60009032 Sprinter Trueno 5th". www.toyota.co.jp. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  9. ^ "ハチゴー（AE85）とハチロク（AE86） | トヨタ86 買取". トヨタ86 買取 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "AE86とAE85は何が違ったのか？" [What is the difference between AE86 and AE85?]. car-me.jp (in Japanese). 19 March 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  11. ^ "AE86 Trivia: AE86 and AE85 gauge clusters". www.banpei.net. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  12. ^ "1985 Toyota Corolla AE85 - Import Tuner Magazine". SuperStreetOnline. 2004-02-01. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
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