Toyota Revives the Classic AE86 with Electric and Hydrogen Concepts

Toyota has taken classic AE86s from the 80s and 90s and restored them with batteries and hydrogen. The AE86 BEV Concept uses hybrid parts from a Tundra and Prius, while the AE86 H2 Concept runs on hydrogen. Both cars have been designed to pay homage to Initial D, featuring paint jobs and stickers inspired by the anime. The electric version may not be as efficient or fast as the original car, but it does have fixed headlights which give it an updated look. The hydrogen version is more efficient but lacks the pop-up headlights of the original AE86. Toyota hinted that they are considering making it easier for people to convert their own beloved vehicles into electric or hydrogen versions.

In this article, Toyota is showcasing two concept cars based on the classic AE86 model from the 80s and 90s. One of these cars is powered by batteries while the other runs on hydrogen. They have been designed to pay homage to Initial D with their paint jobs and stickers, while also updating them with modern features such as fixed headlights in the electric version. Toyota has hinted that they may make it easier for people to convert their own vehicles into either electric or hydrogen versions in future.

The AE86: A Legendary Car

The AE86, also known as the Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, is a legendary car from the 1980s. It was produced by Toyota from 1983 to 1987 and is renowned for its lightweight body, rear-wheel drive layout, and exceptional handling characteristics. The AE86 was widely used in drift competitions due to its superior balance and agility, and it has become an icon of Japanese automotive culture. Its popularity continues today among enthusiasts who appreciate its classic styling and performance capabilities.
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Picture source: Shaun Dakin