Performance Review: Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Corolla Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Toyota Corolla has a 1587cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Corolla shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corolla's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 970 kgs (2138 lbs) this makes the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 in the same weight category as the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota Corolla shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1587cc 16V St4 engine produces 122 bhp (90 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 105 lb-ft (142.3 Nm) @ 5200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Toyota Corolla you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1985 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (150.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla has a Power to weight ratio of 125.7 bhp per ton and 108.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 Corolla competing with the 1985 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (150.7 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 (150.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Toyota Corolla generating around 108.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (133.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (133.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs). This Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corolla and the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Corolla on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.45 secs @ 83.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (16.38 secs), the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (16.38 secs), and the 2001 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (16.39 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 Corolla equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Toyota Corolla GT Coupe AE86 then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (133 mph).

Related Links:

1983 Corolla Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison