Toyota converts classic AE86 coupes to EV and hydrogen

Toyota has unveiled both battery electric and hydrogen-fuelled versions of its classic AE86 coupe for the Tokyo Auto Salon.

The up-cycled coupes show how classics can be retained in a zero-emission society. “Carbon neutrality for protecting beloved cars”, is how Toyota Japan puts it.

“I want to dismiss the fear we won’t be able to drive our beloved cars… there is a carbon neutral path we can take,” said Toyota chief and famous car nut Akio Toyoda in his keynote.

“It will take time before all new vehicles are carbon neutral, simultaneously promoting the carbon neutralisation of not only new vehicles but also of vehicles currently in customer use is essential for the future,” the company added.

The two show cars are called AE86 BEV Concept and AE86 H2 Concept, respectively.

Toyota claims the two show cars’ bodies, light weight, and front-rear weight balance were maintained “as much as possible”, with most classic non-driveline parts retained.

The EV version keeps its manual gearbox, uses the electric motor from an American Tundra hybrid pickup, and a small battery pack from the Prius plug-in hybrid to cut weight.

Meanwhile the H2 leverages what Toyota has learned by running a hydrogen-fuelled combustion Corolla in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series – as opposed to a fuel-cell – but modifies the original car’s engine to run on hydrogen rather than using a transplant.

The AE86 H2 concept has two Toyota Mirai fuel-cell high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks mounted in the rear. Other modifications include the engine’s fuel injectors, fuel pipes, and spark plugs.

“TGR [Toyota Gazoo Racing] has developed a vehicle that can be driven while enjoying the internal combustion engine’s appeal points of sound and vibration,” the company said of the H2.

Both AE86-derived concept vehicles feature rejuvenated used seats and seatbelts, and seatbelt pads made from recycled materials.

Data

AE86 BEV Concept

• Length: 4215mm
• Height: 1335mm
• Width: 1625mm
• Weight: 960kg
• Motor power: 68kW
• Torque: 190Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Mods
  • Impulse Front Lip Spoiler
  • BRIDE sports seats
  • Nardi steering wheel
  • Bilstein shocks
  • HAL springs
  • Endless (brand) brakes
  • Watanabe F/R 14 inch wheels

AE86 H2 Concept

• Length: 4215mm
• Height: 1335mm
• Width: 1625mm
• Weight: NA
• Engine code: 1.6-litre 4A-GEU (hydrogen engine)
• Motor power: NA
• Torque: NA
• Mods
  • TRD diff
  • BRIDE sports seats
  • Nardi steering wheel
  • Endless (brand) brakes
  • Watanabe F/R 14 inch wheels
  • Bridgestone Potenza RE71RS F tyres