3696 Apr 20
In the 70–90s of the last century, there was almost more attention to cars than today. At that time, there were not as many manufacturers as there are now, and popular car concepts and first series began to develop during this period. During these years, the Japanese company Toyota began producing its legendary Corolla series, which has managed to grow to 11 generations. One of its most popular offshoots were the Levin and Sprinter Trueno, which are considered the manufacturer's most successful sports coupes.
Briefly about the series
The Levin-type Toyota Corolla appeared on Japanese roads for the first time in 1977. Initially, they did not gain much popularity, so the automaker’s engineers had to significantly modify the vehicle. A couple of years later, an updated car came out, which attracted the attention of fans of sports driving and, in particular, drifting.
The fact is that the modified TE71 model (can be seen in the photo on the Internet), produced from 1979 to 1982, due to its design features, became much better controlled by the driver, and its rear part was ideal for controlled skidding.
The series gained the greatest popularity thanks to the Levin AE85 and AE86, released in 1983. They were noticeably different from the 1979 model and visually. This was especially evident in the design of the front end and overhang. The next generation of Toyota Corolla AE91 and AE92 appeared in 1987 and received a number of interesting updates in terms of both visual and technical (in particular, a narrowed long radiator grille, a more powerful and at the same time economical engine). Then, in 1992, the third generation appeared - Toyota Corolla AE100 and AE101, with which the active penetration of Japanese sports cars into Russia began. Finally, the latest representatives of sports coupes today are the Toyota Corolla of the Levin AE110 and AE 111 types. The cars began to be produced in 1995, and since then they have been considered the most common representatives of the series.
Toyota Corolla Levin TE71
Anyone who searched the Internet for a description of the Levin model came across the same cars that have a different series name. We are, naturally, talking about the Toyota Corolla Sprinter Trueno. This causes some confusion and confusion, since it is difficult to find the differences when comparing photos of both cars. The thing is that the series in question has a certain branch, which received this name. Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno are often considered exactly the same. This position is quite justified, since it is difficult to detect differences at first glance.
However, these cars are not identical: the Sprinter is an improved version of the Levin, as it has more elegant hood curves, sleek optics and a modified front bumper.
In fact, this is nothing more than a marketing ploy by the Japanese manufacturer.
First generation
The most common version on the used car market is the Toyota Corolla AE86 Trueno (classic Levin), while the AE85 version is much less common. The fact is that the differences between the cars are insignificant, but in the aggregate the first of these models seems more attractive. Technical characteristics play a decisive role in choosing between representatives of the first generation.
The Levin and Trueno AE86 versions were equipped with a 1.6-liter 4A-GEU DOHC engine, while the younger model received a 1.5-liter 3A-U SOHC engine, which is very similar to the installation of the 1979 TE71 series prototype.
The maximum power that the more efficient power plant could produce varied from 112 to 128 hp. s., while the torque ranged from 136 to 150 Nm depending on the modification (for example, weaker engines were supplied to the USA). Among street racing fans, the most popular version was the Toyota Corolla GTS AE86. The Toyota Corolla GT S featured better performance and a sportier and more aggressive design.
Options
In the basic configuration, cars of the Toyota Levin family were equipped with power steering, electric drive of side mirrors and windows, and also, depending on the year of manufacture, air conditioning.
In the more expensive configuration the following additional options were available:
- Luke;
- climate control;
- alloy wheels;
- rear wiper;
- vertical adjustment of the steering wheel position;
- remote key.
In addition to the above, there were other useful functions, thanks to which Levin remains popular with many car enthusiasts to this day, despite the fact that it has long been discontinued.
Second generation
The next generation of Toyota Corolla Levin, unfortunately, turned out to be not as popular as the previous one. Quite expectedly, the AE91 and AE92 versions received improved power plants, but many fans of high-speed driving did not like the mediocre efficiency of the engines and, surprisingly, the design of the vehicles. Trueno AE91 was equipped with 1.5-liter 5A-F DOHC engines, the power of which was 85–86 hp. s., and the torque reached 122–125 Nm.
Tuned Toyota Corolla AE92
Toyota Corolla Levin AE92 (pictured on the Internet) acquired an improved 1.6-liter 4A-GZE DOHC engine, the power of which was almost twice that of the 91st model - 164–166 hp. With. The torque of the units ranged from 207 to 210 Nm.
The car body is relatively massive - 1070 kg, while the AE91 weighs 120 kg less. Especially for fans of drifting and racing, this drawback is eliminated in the Toyota Corolla type GT S AE92.
The gearbox on all versions is a 5-speed manual, however, starting with this generation of Toyota Corolla GT S, the drive became front-wheel drive.
Safety system
In 1997, when the GOA body style standards were adopted, the Levin's passive safety measures were significantly enhanced. Even in standard configurations, two front airbags, an ABC system, and three-point belts with pretensioners and force limiters were installed. Levins also included side reinforcement bars and the ability to attach a child seat. Thanks to the use of disc brakes on all wheels and an additional brake light, the safety indicators of this car have increased significantly.
Third generation
Japanese engineers fully succeeded in correcting the mistakes made in the Toyota Corolla AE92 in the third generation in the AE100, AE101 models, as well as the unexpected third representative of the series, the AE104. The first of the listed cars was equipped with a 1.5-liter 5A-FE DOHC power unit, which produced up to 105 hp. With. power and up to 134 Nm of torque. The latter was distributed between the wheels of the front axle using the usual 5-speed manual transmission. Compared to its predecessor, the Corolla AE100 received an additional 10 kg of weight, but this did not in any way affect performance. As for the Toyota Corolla Levin AE101, it expectedly received a more powerful 1.6-liter 4A-GE DOHC unit with a power of 160 hp. With. and a torque of 161 Nm. The weight of the car was 1090 kg, so drifters liked other configurations more.
It is worth noting that the Toyota Corolla type AE101 featured for the first time a 4-speed automatic transmission, which racers had been waiting for a long time. The drive remained front-wheel drive.
Review of Toyota AE111 (1997)
Let me start with the fact that I got the car as part of an exchange. And so to speak, I got a pig in a poke)))
When I got into it, my first impressions were that the car, given its dimensions, was quite roomy (with my height being 185cm). Before it, I had a right-handed one, so I didn’t have to squeak for a long time. The car immediately impresses with the fact that, despite its modest volume (1.6 liters), it is quite playful and from the start at a traffic light you are not inferior to famous MARKs with a volume of 2.5 liters. After a couple of days, I finally got used to it and realized that Leva is very convenient for moving in city traffic, and not driving like an old grandfather, but slipping into narrow corridors, so to speak, maneuvering and being, I’m not afraid of this word, a Leader.
In reality, Lyova became a part of me, he became a part of our family!!!
Toyota Corolla AE101
An interesting new product is the AE104 model. This is the only representative of the series with all-wheel drive, which was not in demand among connoisseurs of sports cars due to poor efficiency and low performance. Under the hood of the AE104 there was a 1.6-liter 4A-FE DOHC engine with a power of 111–115 hp. With. and torque from 150 to 160 Nm. The transmission was offered both automatic and manual.
Perhaps the car would have been more popular in Russia if it weren’t for right-hand drive, since a sports car with all-wheel drive is an excellent option for domestic roads.
However, the AE104 was not produced specifically for the Russian market.
Interior
Levin's interior dimensions were as follows: length - 1750 mm; width - 1410 mm; height - 1095 mm. This interior space is worthy of sports cars of the time.
The interior features a massive dashboard, which is covered with a wide visor made in a sporty style. The tachometer is located in the central part of the panel. The center console forms one piece with the instrument panel and is slightly turned towards the driver, which provides greater driving comfort. The steering wheel is three-spoke, with a rim of medium thickness.
The design of the front row seats was comfortable, thanks to lateral and lumbar support. The driver and front passenger did not experience discomfort even on long trips. In more expensive versions of the Levin coupe, Recaro front seats with built-in headrests were installed.
The back row of seats is divided into two seats, which did not offer such comfort - their cushions are a bit short, and the backs are located almost vertically.
Fourth generation
The AE 110 and AE111 cars became the best-selling cars in the series, but this situation arose only because the generation turned out to be the last. The classic Toyota Corolla AE110 JDM is a great candidate for the role of the best drift car of the late 90s - early 00s. According to tradition, under the hood of the AE110 there is a 1.5-liter 5A-FE DOHC engine with a production of 101 hp. With. and 138 Nm. Such technical characteristics, coupled with a weight of only 980 kg, allowed the driver of the AE 110 to fully control the skid and make it as smooth as possible.
Tuned Toyota Corolla Levin AE110
The Toyota Corolla Levin AE111, interestingly, left its performance unchanged compared to the AE101, completely repeating its engine and configuration. According to the majority of car owners, the AE 110 is the most balanced representative of the series along with the first generation. Toyota Corolla AE111 and AE110 are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission (the AE111 in some trim levels, unlike the AE 110, offers a 4-speed automatic) and the usual front-wheel drive. However, the designers did not dare experiment with all-wheel drive versions like the AE104.
Exterior
The latest generation of Levin was produced on a front-wheel drive platform in a two-door coupe body style. The latest generation models retained the streamlined shapes inherent to the family and acquired a new radiator grille design, which had a narrow horizontal slot above the bumper. For these cars, a massive front bumper was developed with a rectangular air duct in the middle, which added aggressiveness. The front optics were represented by round fog lights and narrow wedge-shaped headlights with orange sections of direction indicators on the sides. Levin's hood was flat, elongated, with barely pronounced relief lines.
The doors of these models were wide, with handles opening upwards. The rear windows were slightly enlarged compared to previous generations, and there was a small recess along the entire perimeter of the body, which favorably emphasized the contours of the car.
The trunk lid is short, and on its rear edge there is a spoiler in which an additional brake light is mounted. The rectangular taillights are located in a horizontal plane and are lightly tinted.
Overall, the Levin coupe has a fairly modern appearance, and its aggressive shape makes it truly sporty.
