Toyota Sprinter Trueno

Toyota Sprinter Trueno
Toyota Sprinter Trueno liftback (AE86)
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota
Also called	Toyota Corolla Levin
Production	March 1972 – August 2000
Body and chassis
Class	Sport compact Hot hatch
Body style	2-door coupé (1972–1975, 1977–1979 and 1983–2000) 2-door hardtop coupé (1974–1975) 3-door liftback (1979–1987)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1972–1987) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1987–2000)
Chronology
Predecessor	Toyota Corolla Sprinter
Successor	Toyota Celica (T230) (integrated)

The Toyota Sprinter Trueno (トヨタ・スプリンタートレノ, Toyota Supurintā Toreno) is a series of compact sports coupés and liftbacks 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, Toyota Karōra Rebin), 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.

TE27 Series (1972–1974)

First generation
Toyota Corolla Levin (TE27, pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	TE27
Production	1972–1974
Assembly	Takaoka plant, Toyota City, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	Toyota Corolla (E20) Toyota Sprinter (E20) Daihatsu Charmant (A40)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L 2T-B/2T-BR OHV I4 1.6 L 2T-G/2T-GR DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed T50 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,335 mm (91.9 in)
Length	3,955–3,960 mm (155.7–155.9 in) (Corolla Levin) 3,965–3,970 mm (156.1–156.3 in) (Sprinter Trueno)
Width	1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Height	1,335 mm (52.6 in)
Curb weight	855–865 kg (1,885.0–1,907.0 lb)

The first generation of the Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin was 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 twin double venturi side draft 40 mm Mikuni-Solex 40PHH carburettors and mated to a T50 5-speed manual transmission, borrowed from the bigger TA27 Celica 1600GT. This engine produced 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) gross, with claimed top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and able to complete a 1⁄4 mile (400 m) sprint in 16.3 seconds. A lower compression (8.8:1) 2T-GR engine option was also available for customers who preferred using cheaper, lower octane fuel. This engine was 5 PS (4 kW; 5 hp) less powerful, which also lowered the top speed to 185 km/h (115 mph) 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 an OHV twin carburettor version of the 2T-G engine called the 2T-B/BR, shared with the lower priced Corolla/Sprinter 1600 SR coupé. These engines produced 100–105 PS (74–77 kW; 99–104 hp) in gross power, with claimed a top speed of 170–175 km/h (106–109 mph) 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.

• 
  Corolla Levin (TE27, pre-facelift)
• 
  Corolla Levin (TE27, facelift)
• 
  Corolla Levin (TE27, facelift)
• 
  Sprinter Trueno (TE27, facelift)
• 
  Sprinter Trueno (TE27, facelift)
• 
  The 2T-G DOHC 8-valve engine, developed by Yamaha based on the 2T OHV engine

TE37, TE47, TE51, TE55, TE61 & TE65 Series (1974–1975, 1977–1979)

Second generation
Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT (TE47, pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	TE47/61/65 (Sprinter Trueno) TE37/51/55 (Corolla Levin)
Production	1974–1975 1977–1979
Assembly	Takaoka plant (Kanto Auto Works), Toyota City, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door hardtop coupé (TE37 Corolla Levin only)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	Toyota Corolla (E30/50) Toyota Sprinter (E40/60)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L 2T/2T-B OHV I4 1.6 L 2T-G/2T-GR/2T-GEU DOHC I4
Transmission	4-speed T40 manual 5-speed T50 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,370 mm (93.3 in)
Length	3,995 mm (157.3 in) (TE37 Corolla Levin) 4,070 mm (160.2 in) 4,245 mm (167.1 in) (second facelift)
Width	1,570 mm (61.8 in) (TE37 Corolla Levin) 1,600–1,615 mm (63.0–63.6 in)
Height	1,300–1,310 mm (51.2–51.6 in) 1,340 mm (52.8 in) (TE37 Corolla Levin)
Curb weight	925–965 kg (2,039.3–2,127.5 lb)

Sprinter Trueno GT (TE47, pre-facelift)

TE37 Corolla Levin, the only model offered with hardtop coupé body style

With the introduction of the second generation Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin in April 1974, there was a clearer difference between the two through design. Though based on the same platform, the whole design differed totally with the Sprinter Trueno (TE47) was offered as a coupé and had a sleeker and more curved design. In contrast to the Corolla Levin (TE37), it was only available as a hardtop coupé with an aggressive forward raked nose design similar to the sedan version. Both models were still powered by the same 2T-G/GR engines and mated to the same T50 5-speed manual transmission. The twins was also available with a better equipped GT sub-trim. Due the incompatibility with the Japanese emission regulations, the coupés were discontinued in November 1975.

Toyota reintroduced the twin coupés in January 1977 with a minor facelift and also the new fuel injected version of the 2T-G engine with the Toyota Total Clean-Catalyst (TTC-C) emission control technology, with the installation of catalytic converter to pass the Japanese 1976 emission regulation, now called the 2T-GEU. The Corolla Levin (TE51) was also changed to a regular coupé body style just like the Sprinter Trueno (TE61), but still with a drastic difference on the nose. In September 1977, Toyota launched a limited edition called Black Trueno, based on the GT trim and limited to 550 units (together with 1000 units of the T120 series Corona Black Limited Edition sedan/coupé, to celebrate its 20th anniversary). Two months later in November, the Levin GT received the same limited edition and available for 1000 units. This limited edition was only offered in black coloured body, special brown mats and body decals, "Limited Edition 550 or 1000" mark on the body, a plate with the owner's name engraved on it placed above the glove box and a black mug for the Levin. A similar limited edition model was offered in 1986 as the facelifted AE86 Sprinter Trueno Black Limited liftback. Another facelift was introduced in April 1978 with the implementation of longer shock-absorbing front bumper and the advanced TTC-C with three-way catalytic converter because of the stricken emission regulation. The Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno now bearing TE55 and TE65 codes, respectively.

The TE47 Sprinter Trueno was exported to Belgium and Luxembourg, while the rest of the world received the regular Corolla hardtop coupé version. It was marketed with three trim levels; LT with the plain 2T engine and 4-speed T40 manual transmission, ST with the twin carburettors 2T-B engine and 5-speed T50 manual transmission and the GT which used the same powertrain as the Japanese-spec Sprinter Trueno.

• 
  Sprinter Trueno GT (TE61, first facelift)
• 
  Corolla Levin (TE51, first facelift)
• 
  Sprinter Trueno GT (TE65, second facelift)
• 
  Rear view of facelifted TE61/65 Sprinter Trueno GT
• 
  Toyota Corolla Levin GT (TE55, second facelift)
• 
  Rear view of facelifted TE51/55 Corolla Levin GT

TE71 Series (1979–1983)

Third generation
Toyota Corolla Levin (TE71, pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	TE71
Production	1979–1983
Assembly	Takaoka plant, Toyota City, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door liftback
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	Toyota Corolla (E70) Toyota Sprinter (E70) Daihatsu Charmant (A45)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L 2T-G/GEU DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed T50 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4,105–4,175 mm (161.6–164.4 in) (Corolla GT) 4,120–4,255 mm (162.2–167.5 in) (Sprinter Trueno) 4,175–4,240 mm (164.4–166.9 in) (Corolla Levin)
Width	1,625 mm (64.0 in)
Height	1,325–1,335 mm (52.2–52.6 in)
Curb weight	955–990 kg (2,105.4–2,182.6 lb)

The third generation of the Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin was released in May 1979, powered by the same 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) fuel injected 2T-GEU engine from the previous generation. Unlike previous generations, this generation of the Trueno and Levin were exclusively 3-door liftbacks (marketed as a coupé, there was another liftback with steeper tailgate based on the hardtop coupé). This generation was now equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes as standard, rear suspension with coil springs like the E70 Corolla/Sprinter sedan and had a sunroof as an option. In the May 1981 facelift, two new trim levels were added to the line up; the cheaper "S" (with shorter front bumper) and the better optioned "APEX" (with standard Michelin sport tyres).

The Corolla Levin was exported as the Corolla GT for selected markets in Europe, powered by the twin double venturi side draft Mikuni-Solex 40PHH carburettors 2T-G engine, producing 108–110 PS (79–81 kW; 107–108 hp).