Toyota Sprinter Trueno

The Toyota Sprinter Trueno (トヨタ・スプリンタートレノ) is a series of compact sports coupés which were produced by Toyota from 1972 to 2000. The name Trueno in Spanish means thunder. In Japan, the Sprinter Trueno was exclusive to Toyota Auto Store locations.

Its twin, the Toyota Corolla Levin (トヨタ・カローラレビン), was produced in parallel with the Sprinter Trueno. In Middle English, levin means lightning. In Japan, the Corolla Levin was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations. More recently, the Levin name has been used on certain Corolla hatchbacks in Australia/New Zealand, and on Corolla sedans in China.

TE27 Series (1972–1974)
The first generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno models were the high performance models of Corolla and Sprinter 2-door fastback coupé, introduced in March 1972. The inspiration for these compact sport coupés came from Toyota manager Geisuke Kubo who wanted to offer something similar to the Alfa Romeo Giula Junior. The highest performance version of the twin coupés was powered by the high compression (9.8 : 1) DOHC 2T-G engine with two double venturi side draft Mikuni carburettors and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, borrowed from the bigger Celica/Carina 1600GT. This engine produced 115 PS gross, with claimed top speed of 190 km/h and able to complete a 1/4 mile sprint in 16.3 seconds. A lower compression (8.8 : 1) 2T-GR engine option was also available for buyers who preferred using cheaper, lower octane fuel. This engine was 5 PS less powerful, which also lowered the top speed to 185 km/h and quarter mile time to 16.7 seconds.

An updated model appeared shortly in August in the same year with the refreshed appearance. Another update was introduced in April 1973 with the introduction of less powerful model called J (Junior), powered by a single cam, twin carburetted version of the 2T-G engine called the 2T-B/BR, shared with the Corolla/Sprinter 1600 SR coupé. These engines produced 100-105 PS in gross power, with claimed a top speed of 170-175 km/h and a quarter mile time of over 17 seconds. Vehicles installed with the 1.6 litre engine obligated Japanese owners to pay more annual road tax, as the displacement exceeds the 1000–1500 cc tax bracket.

TE37, TE47, TE51, TE55, TE61 & TE65 Series (1974–1975, 1977–1979)
With the second generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno in 1974 there was a clearer difference between the two through design. Though based on the same shell the whole nose design differed totally with the Levin (TE51 and TE55) having an aggressive forward raked design while the Trueno (TE47, TE61, TE62 and TE65) had a sleeker and more curved design. In contrast to its predecessor this second generation of Levin and Trueno was offered with a much wider array of engines and trim. The Trueno LT grade used the plain 2T engine and the Trueno ST grade used the twin downdraft carburettors 2T-B engine. The Levin and Trueno GT grades used the 2T-G engine with DOHC head from the previous TE27 with 115 hp from two double Mikuni Solex carburettors and later with 110 hp from the 2T-GEU engine with a Bosch K-Jetronic EFI system.

TE71 Series (1979–1983)


The third generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno was released in 1979. While the sporty Corollas and Sprinters were available in 2-door sedan, 2-door hardtop, 3-door coupé and 3-door liftback body styles, the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno were only produced as a 3-door coupé (TE71). Trim levels for the Japanese models were Base, S, and GT-APEX, all with the 2T-G engine.

AE85/86 Series (1983–1987)


The fourth generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno was released in 1983 and was offered in 2-door coupé and 3-door liftback body styles. It was the last in the series to use the front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, carried over from the previous generation. In this generation, the Corolla Levin came with fixed rectangular headlights, while the Sprinter Trueno distinguished itself from the Corolla Levin with its retractable pop-up headlights. The American Corolla SR-5 and GT-S had the same front-end as the Japanese Trueno, complete with retractable headlights, although it had different and longer bumpers in the front and rear so as to meet US federal standards. European Corolla GTs had the same front-end as the Corolla Levin.

Engine
 * 4A-GEU (16 valve): AE86 GT, GT-APEX, GT-V Models
 * 4A-GEC (16 valve): AE86 Corolla GT-S Model
 * 4A-C (8 valve): AE86 Corolla SR-5 Model
 * 3A-U (8 valve): AE85 SR, SE, GL, XL Models

AE91/92 Series (1987–1991)


The fifth generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno was introduced in 1987. This generation had several changes from the previous generation, the most notable being the omission of the front-engine, rear-wheel drive (FR) layout of the previous generation in favour of a more conventional front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF) layout in-line with the other Corollas of the same generation. The 3-door liftback body style was no longer offered in this generation, leaving only the 2-door coupé, 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback, and 5-door liftback body styles, each with different designations respectively.

As with the preceding AE85/AE86 models of the previous generation, it had two different front end styles for each models. The Sprinter Trueno had a much more slanted front fascia with retractable pop-up headlights, while the Corolla Levin had a much more leveled hood line with fixed rectangular headlights. New to the sporty coupés was the supercharged "GT-Z" trim, which was the highest and fastest trim level of the AE92 at the time. This trim comes equipped with a supercharged version of the 4A-GE engine called the 4A-GZE, capable of producing 165 PS at 6400 rpm and 21.4 kgm of torque at 4400 rpm in the updated versions from 1990. The 4A-GZE engine had been previously used in the supercharged Toyota MR2 a year prior to the introduction of the E90 series Corolla.

For the AE91 series, the new G, L, Zi and Xi trim levels replaced the previous generation's GL, XL, SR and SE trim levels of the AE85 respectively, with the G and L featuring the carbureted 5A-F engine producing 85 PS at 6000 rpm and 12.4 kgm at 3600 rpm. The Zi and Xi were separate models, with the Zi exclusive to the Levin and the Xi exclusive to the Trueno. Both grades featured the more economical 5A-FE engine producing 105 PS at 6000 rpm and 13.4 kgm at 4800 rpm. The female-oriented GL-Lime and XL-Lissé models of the AE85 were carried over to the AE91 series and were renamed as just Lime and Lissé, while retaining their same purpose. The Lime and Lissé were the luxury variants of the L trim, featuring unique upholstery, power steering, and an automatic transmission, among others. The Lime was the Levin, while the Lissé was the Trueno.

All cars came with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. On the GT-APEX model, a digital cluster similar to the one found in the AE86 GT-APEX models was also offered as a factory option.

Two major changes to the car happened between 1987 and 1991. The early models, known as the "Zenki" (前期) generation, were introduced in 1987. The engines in the earlier models were less powerful compared to the later models, with the naturally-aspirated 4A-GE producing 120 PS and 14.5 kgm of torque, the same power figures as the first generation 4A-GE in net output. The supercharged 4A-GZE on the other hand produces 145 PS and 19.4 kgm of torque, the same power figures as the engine found in the supercharged Toyota MR2. The 4A-GE engines in this generation were late "bigport" versions, denoted by the red-and-black lettering on the cam covers. These engines (aside from the 4A-GZE) retained the T-VIS intake system from the early "bigport" versions found in the previous AE86 models, among other minor changes. Other distinct features on the Zenki models included different front bumpers for the Levin's front end, having a different design with a small upper grille that extends to both ends of the bumper. The Trueno's front bumper design was similar to the preceding facelifted AE86, while also having combo lights between the headlights and bumpers.

In 1989, the model received a minor facelift as well as changes in engine performance, also known as the "Kouki" (後期) generation. Major reworking was done to the 4A-GE engine, replacing the twin-runner T-VIS intake system with a single-runner intake featuring smaller intake ports, hence the nickname "smallport". These engines are denoted by the all-red lettering found in the cam covers. Along with a couple of upgrades (mainly to the engine internals), this version produces 20 PS and 0.5 kgm more than the previous iteration, with 145 PS and 15 kgm in naturally aspirated form, and 165 PS and 21.4 kgm in supercharged form as a result of this change. The minor tweaks also upped the compression ratio from 9.4:1 to 10.3:1 (NA models) and from 8:1 to 8.9:1 (supercharged models). The trim grades were also revised, doing away with the GT-V and L trims of the AE92 and AE91, respectively, while the AE91 Zi and Xi trims became the ZS and XS. The carbureted 5A-F engine was no longer offered during this generation, therefore eliminating all carbureted engines from the lineup. The G and Lime/Lissé trims of the AE91 now had the revised fuel-injected 5A-FE engine producing 100 PS at 5600 rpm and 14.1 kgm at 4400 rpm, while the ZS and XS have the 5A-FHE EFI-S engine producing 120 PS. As with the previous Zi and Xi trims, the ZS was exclusive to the Levin while the XS was exclusive to the Trueno. The front bumper of the Levin now had a shorter upper grille that did not extend to both ends, with two side markers on each corner. The Trueno also carried this change as well, differing with larger combo lights above the bumper and below the headlights.

For the US-market, the GT-S and SR-5 AE92 coupés came in the same configuration as with the prior AE86 models, being based on the Trueno with retractable headlights. Like the previous generation, it had longer bumpers in the front and rear so as to satisfy US federal regulations. The supercharged 4A-GZE engine was never offered in the US-market AE92 coupés, however, as the GT-S only came with a naturally aspirated version of the 4A-GE engine, with the updated "smallport" versions from 1990 producing 125 PS at 7200 rpm and 15.2 kgm of torque at 4800 rpm, 15 PS less than the Japanese-market "smallport" 4A-GE engines. Other differences include the use of a MAF sensor on US-market engines as opposed to a MAP sensor on Japanese-market engines. The SR-5 came with a carbureted 4A-F engine producing 95 PS at 6000 rpm and 13 kgm at 3600 rpm.

Engine

Note: All of these engines are 16-valve engines.
 * 4A-GZE (Supercharged): AE92 GT-Z Model
 * 4A-GE: AE92 GT, GT-APEX, GT-V, Corolla GT-S Models
 * 4A-F: AE92 Corolla SR-5 Model
 * 5A-FHE: AE91 ZS, XS (facelift) Models
 * 5A-FE: AE91 Zi, Xi (pre-facelift), G, Lime, Lissé (facelift) Models
 * 5A-F: AE91 G, L, Lime, Lissé (pre-facelift) Models

AE100/101 Series (1991–1995)


The Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno underwent a full redesign in June 1991 with the sixth generation models, based on the E100 series. Japanese F1 driver Ukyo Katayama was appointed as the image representative for marketing as he was popular in Japan at the time. A commercial was broadcast in which Katayama runs a Levin on the Mine circuit with the catchphrase "Ukyo, Levins".

Developed during the peak of the Japanese asset price bubble in the early 90's, the latest technologies in body, chassis, engine, transmission and safety were put into the new E100 series. Consequently, the body size increased to the maximum width the Japanese government regulations would allow and became much heavier, which made it less attractive as a sports compact model than previous generations.

The series continued to follow the same tradition of offering two separate styles and names, sold to different brand dealers in Japan. Unlike with previous generations, however, the E100 Levin and Trueno coupés were not officially exported elsewhere, making these models exclusive to Japan.

The chassis was all new in this generation, with a much higher and rigid body than the previous generation E90 series. This new chassis would later be carried over to the next-generation E110 series as part of a cost-cutting measure made during the Lost Decades recession that happened throughout the 1990s. Sharing the same wheelbase as with the Corolla sedans, the suspension featured re-tuned front and rear MacPherson struts.

The biggest improvement in this generation, however, was the high-performance 4A-GE engine found in the GT and GT-APEX. Many of the parts were redesigned, with the intake side camshaft now having Toyota's Variable Valve Timing or VVT (a precursor to the later VVT-i with a discontinuous variable valve timing mechanism), and used a five-valve-per-cylinder head design (three inlet, two exhaust) for a total of 20 valves. This was seen as revolutionary at that time as Yamaha Motor Corporation, who typically collaborated with Toyota to produce their high-performance engines, were actively using five-valve-per-cylinder designs in their racing motorcycles. The valve covers have been redesigned in tandem with a new cylinder head, featuring silver cam covers with chrome lettering, hence the name "Silver Top". In addition, it was equipped with individual throttle bodies to increase engine throttle response, which was rare for a commercial vehicle of its class. A MAF sensor was used instead of a MAP sensor, however, unlike with the 16-valve "smallport" version of the 4A-GE offered in the earlier AE92 series. Because of this, it requires the use of an intake plenum. Maximum power was 160 PS at 7400 rpm and 16.5 kgm of torque at 5200 rpm. The supercharged 4A-GZE engine offered in the GT-Z still kept the same 16-valve head as with the previous versions, but it did have as many changes to the engine internals as well as a minor cosmetic change in the top-mounted intercooler that featured Toyota's then-new logo. It produced 170 PS at 6400 rpm.

New body panels were introduced in this generation for both the Levin and the Trueno, with the front bumper design of the Trueno being largely similar to the facelifted AE92's front bumper design. However, the most significant design change in this generation was the removal of the retractable pop-up headlights used in the Trueno. Due to changing industry trends at the time, the use of hidden headlamps for the Trueno started to wane in popularity in the early 90's after last using them in the E90 series. To compensate for this change, the Trueno switched to fixed headlights similar to the Levin but in the style of the combo lights from the previous generation AE91/AE92 models so as to make way for a more modern, rounder, aerodynamic and luxury styling whilst maintaining the distinction between the Levin and the Trueno with the latter's front fascia design. The series was given a minor facelift in 1993, which included revised bumpers and taillights. On the Trueno, this included a slightly larger grille on the front bumper.

The trim grades were also revised at the start of this generation, simplifying the lineup from six different trim grades down to five. The successor to the preceding ZS and XS trim grades was the SJ, which featured the more economical 4A-FE engine producing 115 PS at 6000 rpm and 15.0 kgm of torque, the same as most other Corollas and Sprinters of the same generation. The low-priced S trim grade, as part of the AE100 series, replaced the previous G trim grade of the AE91 series and received the 1.5 L 5A-FE engine, which produced 105 PS at 6000 rpm and 13.4 kgm at 4800 rpm. The female-oriented Lime/Lissé trim grade of the AE91 series was dropped.

Super Strut Suspension, a revolutionary Toyota technology, was standard for GT-Z. The GT-Z was equipped with a viscous limited-slip differential as standard equipment. The GT-APEX, which only offered Super Strut Suspension as an option, has an electronically controlled suspension called TEMS (upper and lower G-sensitive type) also as optional equipment.

Engine
 * 4A-GZE (16 valve, supercharged): GT-Z Model
 * 4A-GE (20 valve) "Silver Top": GT, GT-APEX Models
 * 4A-FE (16 valve): SJ Model
 * 5A-FE (16 valve): S Model

AE110/111 series (1995–2000)


The seventh and final generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno was introduced in 1995. This is the last series to use the Sprinter Trueno name, and the last to be offered as a sport compact coupé. It shared many of the same parts and platform as its predecessor due to the Lost Decades recession that was happening in Japan at the time. The first models (known as Zenki) were manufactured from 1995 to 1997, with the facelifted models (known as Kouki) manufactured from 1997 to 2000. The series continued to use different styles for the Levin and Trueno, however by 1997 the front fascia would be changed to a more subtle design that is nearly identical to each other with some slight differences.

New trim levels were introduced, replacing the S, SJ, GT and GT-APEX trims of the previous generation. These are FZ, XZ, BZ-V, BZ-G and BZ-R. Initially, the lineup consisted of the FZ, XZ, BZ-V and BZ-G trims. The low-priced FZ featured the 1.5 L 5A-FE engine, the XZ featured the 1.6 L 4A-FE engine, and the BZ-V, BZ-G and BZ-R all featured the 20-valve 4A-GE engine. The 4A-GE in this generation was updated with revised internals, the replacement of a MAF sensor with a MAP sensor, and a new valve cover, this time in black, hence the name "Black Top". This new 4A-GE engine produced 165 PS at 7800 rpm and 16.5 kgm of torque at 5600 rpm. The supercharged GT-Z trim with the 4A-GZE engine is dropped. The lineup would be refreshed one final time in 1997, dropping the BZ-V trim while adding the new BZ-R trim. The BZ-R trim featured a 6-speed manual transmission, LSD, bigger front rotors, ABS, improved calipers, a taller rear spoiler and Super Strut Suspension (SSsus), all of which could be added to the BZ-G and BZ-V models as factory options. Additionally, a set of Recaro SR3 (confetti pattern) seats could be installed as a factory option.

With the discontinuation of the Toyota Sprinter brand in 2000, the Trueno name was retired, and the 5-door hatchback Toyota Allex from the E120 series replaced the Sprinters. As for the Corolla Levin, it remained in production for a few more years alongside the Trueno until it too was retired in 2000, with the introduction of the E120 series that same year.

Engine
 * 4A-GE (20 valve) "Black Top": BZ-V, BZ-G, BZ-R Models
 * 4A-FE (16 valve): XZ Model
 * 5A-FE (16 valve): FZ Model

Other uses of "Trueno" and "Levin" names
The name "Levin" was later reused for the E110–120 Corolla and E150–180 Auris hatchbacks in Australia and New Zealand, where certain trim levels had the Levin label.

In June 2023, a limited edition of the GR86 called the Trueno Edition was introduced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AE86 Sprinter Trueno. It is available exclusively for the North American market and is limited to 860 units.