On Friday, Toyota revealed two reworked examples of the classic 1980s Corolla GT-S, also known by internal model code AE86 — one with a battery-electric powertrain and one with a hydrogen combustion engine.
Debuting for the first time at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, these two cars aim to demonstrate how older vehicles—especially those loved by enthusiasts—can be on the road even with stricter emission standards.
“The reality is that we cannot achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 just by shifting all new car sales to electric vehicles,” Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said in his opening statement. Tokyo Auto Salon opening. Indeed, given the slow turnaround of global fleets, older internal combustion vehicles will remain on the road in large numbers after new car sales switch to electric. That means also targeting emissions from those vehicles.
Concept Toyota AE86 BEV
With that in mind, Toyoda aims to provide ways to keep existing cars on the road while reducing emissions, which is why the two Corolla show cars came in.
“I hope to dispel the fear that we won’t be able to drive our beloved cars when we’re carbon neutral.” Toyoda said. “On the contrary, there is a carbon-neutral path that car lovers can take.”
Actually, there are two. A vehicle, the AE86 H2 concept uses an engine that burns hydrogen instead of gasoline. Hydrogen is stored in two high-pressure tanks from a Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle. Toyota has shown that hydrogen combustion technology can be useful in the raceand then suggested that they were even considering bringing the technology to a more productive form in a Corolla Cross.
The hydrogen-powered revival of a classic car is quite novel. Hyundai showcases nostalgic concept for its model Women’s performance brand last year, but using a fuel cell instead of an internal combustion engine. Dubbed the N Vision 74, the concept is also not based on an existing vehicle. It’s a basic build that borrows styling from the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept.
Concept Toyota AE86 H2
In addition, the AE86 BEV concept, is powered by an electric motor sourced from a Toyota Tundra hybrid pickup truck and a battery pack from a Prius Prime plug-in hybrid. However, it retains the manual transmission and engineers have managed to keep the weight distribution close to the original, according to Toyota. For sustainability reasons, both concepts feature “rejuvenated” seats and seat belts made from a mixture of used and recycled materials.
Automakers tend to introduce electrified versions of their classic models before electric vehicles really catch on to the design. One such example is Chevy E-10 . electric bar truckNext is the production limit Silverado electric car.
Meanwhile, Toyota has yet to publicize any plans for a deeper EV commitment. it reports pause some of its EV development in October, pondering a broader electric vehicle strategy, and CEO Toyoda said he sees the US goal of 50% electric vehicles by 2030 as “very difficult.”
