The Toyota AE86, also known as the "Hachiroku," is a legendary car in the world of drifting. Released in 1983, it was initially marketed as a small, unassuming vehicle, but it quickly gained popularity among professional racers and drifters due to its rear-wheel drive, low weight, and high power-to-weight ratio.
The car's popularity soared after it was featured in the anime and manga series "Initial D," which showcased its drifting capabilities. The series was based on the real-life experiences of Keiichi Tsuchiya, a Japanese drifter who is considered the "King of Drift" and was a consultant for the series.
The Toyota AE86 was eventually replaced by a newer model with front-wheel drive, ending its career as a drift car. However, its legacy lived on, and it remains a beloved car among drifters and car enthusiasts. In 2012, Toyota, in partnership with Subaru, released the GT86 model, which was marketed as the rebirth of the Hachiroku. The GT86 has been recognized as Car of the Year by several publications and has participated in various motorsport championships, including drifting.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Toyota AE86 was released in 1983.
2. The AE86 was offered with two body options: Levin and Trueno.
3. The AE86 was also known as the Hachiroku, which means "eight-six" in Japanese.
4. The AE86 had a 16-valve engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters and produced 128 horsepower.
5. The AE86's weight did not exceed 970 kilograms.
6. The AE86 could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds.
7. The AE86 was known for its rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, and disc brakes all around.
8. The AE86 was popular among professional racers and was used in various motorsport competitions.
9. The AE86 was also popular among drifters, particularly in Japan.
10. Keiichi Tsuchiya, a Japanese racing driver, was known for his skills in drifting and was often associated with the AE86.
11. Tsuchiya was a consultant for the anime series "Initial D," which featured the AE86 as the main character's car.
12. The anime series and its live-action film adaptation helped to popularize the AE86 worldwide.
13. The AE86 was discontinued after four years of production and was replaced by a front-wheel drive model.
14. The Toyota 86 (also known as the GT86) was released in 2012 and was marketed as a spiritual successor to the AE86.