Forgotten gems: Toyota Corolla Levin/ Sprinter Trueno AE111
Yes, it’s not RWD like the famous Hachiroku, but I think this is a cool little coupe which I guess it’s pretty fun to drive. A nice alternative to the Honda Integra.
Produced between 1995 and 2000, the coupe twins were based off the E110 generation Corolla, better known by the WRC version driven by Carlos Sainz, Didier Auriol and others. It was the last version of the Trueno.
A bunch of trims were released: XZ, FZ, BZ-V, BZ-G and BZ-R. The last three models were powered by the mighty 4A-GE “Black Top” 1.6L inline-4 making 165hp and 162Nm of torque. The other two trims used the 4A-FE and 5A-FE engines respectively. Facelifted models appeared in 1997.
The sportier trim was the BZ-R. It offered a 6 speed manual transmission, limited slip differential, bigger brakes, ABS, a taller spoiler and side skirts and the Super Strut Suspension from the factory. As options a set of Recaro seats could be fitted and also a front lip to match the side skirts.
Both models were mechanically identical. The only differences were design-wise. The pre facelifted Levin used a front bumper that was similar to the 4 door Sprinter. The Trueno had a bigger mouth and larger headlights. The facelifed versions looked-alike a lot more. The Levin had more openings in the front compared to the cleaner look of the Sprinter, which also had smoked headlights. In the back only the tailights changed, the Trueno used a design similar to the Supra lights.
I think these models are beautiful, specially the facelifted Levin. The profiles are so clean and understated. It reminds me of an S15 Silvia. Sadly, this are underrated and forgotten models and maybe a lot of people doesn’t even know they exist.
I discovered it in Gran Turismo and since then I fell in love with it. And as said before, I think is a really nice alternative to the people looking for Integras and doesn’t want to pay a lot of money.
Do you like it? Would you take one of this over a third-gen Honda Integra?
This content was originally posted by a Car Throttle user on our Community platform and was not commissioned or created by the CT editorial team.
Comments
I have a ‘97 Levin BZ-R in GT4… really love it!
It sort of looks like a baby S15 Silvia.
I love these cars and I want to own one, despite how rare they are.
Those things are everywhere in NZ and cost $500-$5000. I had an AE101 at one stage, sold it for $1000.
I almost bought a white BZ-R at some point. These are great cars but there are there major issues:
1) These cars aren’t THAT underrated, enthusiasts know of these things and so a lot of them are abused to within an inch of their life
2) When abused, the C160 6-speed transaxle shatters as if it’s made of glass
3) Super Strut Suspension is a pain in the ass to replace, costs a load of money to buy the parts and finding them can be difficult as well
Looks like an MR2 combined with a Silvia
These things are rad!! Black top 16 motor goes good
I have only seen one of these in my life and I remember how cool it looked.
Yes, I saw one a few years ago and I fell in love with it’s design. It’s got RWD proportions with the long hood and short deck.
I had a 97 Trueno BZ-R as a daily in Aussie land before I moved back to the states. Paid roughly $1500 USD for it. The thing was rock solid, except for the suspension. The super-strut assembly is great until it breaks. There few shops around the world that build the parts you need (my shop was in New Zealand). The power to weight on these things is fantastic though with the blacktop 20V setup and make for a very fun daily.