Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno
| Toyota Levin/Trueno | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1972–2000 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
2-door coupé 3-door coupé |
| Layout |
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
The Toyota Corolla Levin and the Toyota Sprinter Trueno are small, almost identical, lightweight, compact sports coupés which were produced by Toyota from 1972 to 2004. Levin in Old English means lightning and Trueno in Spanish means thunder. In Japan, the Corolla Levin was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations, and the Sprinter Trueno was exclusive to Toyota Auto Store locations, later renamed Toyota Vista Store in 1980.
The name "Corolla Levin" was later revived for the Toyota Auris in Australia and New Zealand, where certain Corolla trim levels have the Levin label.
TE27 Series (1972–1974)
The first Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno of early 1972 were the high performance models of Corolla and Sprinter 2 door fastback coupe. They were powered by the 1.6 liter 2T-G Twincam engine with two double Mikuni carburettors and mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. Vehicles installed with the 1.6 litre engine obligated Japanese owners to pay more annual road tax.
TE 37, TE47, TE51, TE55, TE61, TE62 & TE65 Series (1974–1979)
With the second generation of the Levin and Trueno Sprinter 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 & TE55) having an aggressive forward raked design while the Trueno Sprinter (TE47, TE61, TE62 & TE65) had a sleeker and more curved design. In contrast to its predecessor this second generation of Levin and Trueno Sprinter was offered with a much wider array of engines and trim. Engines ranged from the base 1.2 litre 3K engine with 64 hp to a family of 1.6 litre 2T engines with both OHV head offering 85 hp to the range-topping 2T-G engine with DOHC head also used in the previous TE27 with 115 hp from two double Mikuni carburettors and later with 110 hp from the 2T-GEU engine with a Bosch K-Jetronic EFi system. Six different trim levels were offered right from the base DX over the XL, ST, GS, SR and finally the sporty GT.
TE71 Series (1979–1983)
Although the sporty Corolla and Sprinter available as 2 door Sedan, 2 door Hardtop, 3 door Coupe, and 3 door Liftback, the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno were only produced as 3 door Coupe. Trim levels for the Japanese models were Base, S, and GT APEX, all with 2T-G engine. In the United States, the Corolla Levin was sold as SR5 with 1.8 liter 3T engine.
AE85/86 Series (1983–1987)
In this generation, the Corolla Levin came with fixed rectangular headlights which distinguished from the Sprinter Trueno with retractable headlights. However, the American Corolla SR5 and GT-S also had retractable headlights the same as Japanese Trueno, but with longer bumpers to meet the US Federal standards.
Engine
- 4A-GEU (16v): AE86 GT, GT APEX, GT-V Models
- 4A-GEC (16v): AE86 Corolla GT-S Model
- 4A-C: AE86 SR5 Model
- 3A-U: AE85 SR, GT Models
AE91/92 Series (1987–1991)
Like the previous generation, the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno have different headlight styles. Again, American Corolla Coupe SR5 and GT-S adopted retractable headlights like the Trueno. This is the last generation of Corolla Coupe in America. The SR5 was powered by 4A-F engine, the GT-S came with high performance 4A-GE engine, while the GT-Z came with a 4A-GZE engine. Earlier GT-Zs were equipped with DLI and an AFM sensor while later versions would change to a MAP, oil squirters on the 4A block and a set of forged pistons.
AE100/101 Series (1991–1995)
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Engine
- 4A-GE (20v)Silver-Top: GT Apex, GT Models
- 4A-GZE (Supercharged): GT-Z Model
- 4A-FE: SJ Model
- 5A-FE: S Model
AE110/111/112 series (1995–2000)
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Pre Facelift
- Manufactured from 1995 to 1997
Facelift Model
- Manufactured from 1997 to 2000
Engine
- 4A-GE (20v )"Black-Top": BZ-V, BZ-G, BZ-R Models
- 4A-FE: XZ Model
- 5A-FE: FZ Model
The BZ-R variant featured a 6 speed manual transmission, LSD, bigger front rotors, ABS, improved calipers, a taller rear spoiler and Super Strut Suspension (SS) all of which could be added to the BZ-G and BZ-V models as factory options. This is the last series where the Trueno name was used, as the Toyota Sprinter was discontinued, the Corolla Levin continued to be made.
Other uses of "Levin"
In China, the sporty model of the Toyota Corolla (E170) with different lamps and bumpers from the regular sedan is also called Levin, all models are powered by the 1.8-liter engine.
