Want to drive a GR-powered or electric Toyota AE86? now you

Two special Toyota AE86 models will be available for rental in Tokyo from October 17 to December 20, giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive two truly unique AE86 vehicles.

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Many consider the original AE86 (the spiritual predecessor of today’s Toyota GR 86) to be a cult icon and one of the most important cars in drift history. A few years ago, a small Japanese shop converted one and installed a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine from a modern GR Yaris. This unique model can be rented for three hours. In addition, Toyota’s all-electric AE86, launched at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, will also be available for rental.

Read: Toyota electrifies classic AE86 with EV and hydrogen Restomod concept

The AE86 BEV Concept will be on sale every Thursday and Friday from 11am to 2pm from October 17th to December 20th. Meanwhile, the GR-powered AE86 is available for hire on the same day from 1 to 4 p.m. For just 20,000 yen (approximately US$140), renters can enjoy a 3-hour driving experience in any car.

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As you may have guessed, given the unique nature of this rental opportunity, expect high interest rates. To ensure fairness, a lottery will be held from now until September 30 to determine who will have the opportunity to drive these special vehicles.

During the experience, winners will have the opportunity to interact with Toyota developers and learn more about the vehicle and its performance characteristics. Notification will be sent via email on October 3, inviting the lucky winner to the GR Garage in Tokyo, where the car will be stored.

performance insights

Interestingly, the GR Yaris-powered AE86 is naturally aspirated, although the donor car was equipped with a turbocharger. That means it won’t offer the same 268 horsepower as the rally hot hatchback, but instead will be capped at 112 hp and 118 lb-ft (160 Nm) of torque. The engine also comes with a five-speed manual gearbox instead of a six-speed gearbox, but since the AE86 weighs only 980 kilograms (2,160 pounds), it’s still a lot of fun to drive.

The electric AE86, on the other hand, offers a slight power advantage, with its electric motor producing 127 horsepower. However, it lacks torque, which maxes out at 110 Nm (150 Nm). Notably, this electric version also comes with a six-speed manual transmission and weighs 1,070 kg (2,358 lbs), blending the charm of classic driving dynamics with modern electric performance.

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