Toyota AE86 BEV and Hydrogen Concepts Showcased at TAS 2023

The Toyota booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) 2023 is rocked with a special model exhibition today, showcasing two of the marque’s most iconic sports coupe, the AE86 Corolla Levin and Trueno concepts both draped in the equally-iconic Initial D’s Fujiwara Tofu Shop liveries.

What makes these two concepts different from its original doppelgangers is the fact that both are being primed with carbon-neutral powertrains, namely the hydrogen-engine (H2) for the Trueno, and a full battery electric setup for the Corolla Levin. Additionally, the carbon-neutral theme goes beyond the two concepts’ powertrains, as both cars’ cabins are primed with equipment made from sustainable and recycled materials, including the Bride racing buckets.

This concept by Toyota is part of the marque’s carbon neutrality project that aims to showcase that these ageing machines could be re-energised and brought into the 21st century with modern, carbon-neutral power plants. 

The AE86 H2 concept boasts a more straightforward powertrain setup among those two, which comprises a 1.6-litre 4A-GEU hydrogen mill that was repurposed from the original A-series unit. Modifications were done to the vehicle’s fuel injectors, fuel pipes and spark plugs, in order to prepare it to be fitted with said hydrogen engine. Also gone is the AE86’s fuel tank, which was being replaced with a pair of hydrogen tanks derived from the Toyota Mirai FCEV.

While being carbon neutral, the AE86 H2 concept still provides the enjoyment of a combustion engine driving, especially with the whole sound and vibration experience. This entire idea of a hydrogen-powered sportscar was lifted from Toyota's experience in racing a hydrogen GR Corolla H2 Concept racecar in the Japan Super Taikyu Series.

As for the AE86 BEV concept, the powertrain swap job was a tad bit more complicated, so complex that Toyota engineers were forced to plead with their Lexus co-workers to handle it. This resulted in the Levin’s original 1.6-litre 4A-GEU mill being replaced entirely with a proper battery EV system, which are much heavier than conventional ICEs, let alone the small Toyota A-series engines.

In spite of harnessing the heavy BEV powertrain and battery pack, as well as retaining the manual gearbox, the AE86 BEV concept still managed to weigh below the one-tonne mark, tipping the scale at only 960 KG – highlighting the sheer lightweight of the original Levin’s chassis.

Said BEV setup grants the AE86 BEV concept a single electric motor setup derived from the Toyota Tundra truck, which is juiced by the battery of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Its power output is now rated at 91 HP and 190 NM. What’s more impressive is the fact that this BEV still harnesses a six-speed manual gearbox, which is unheard of in any other EVs.

The manual-transmission-on-EV thing is part of Lexus’s current experiments, led by its EV branch chief engineer Takahasi Watanabe, who refused to see the three pedal format dying out due to the automobile electrification.

“There is nothing more engaging for a passionate driver than to be able to shift gears manually for the right amount of torque at any time. It has delivered so much fun that this project is now under serious development. It might even be featured in our future BEVs,” the chief engineer said.

With Lexus previously toying around with this concept on its UX300e, perhaps the three-pedal layout will survive the electrification ordeal, or even outlive the pure-combustion powertrains.