Toyota
I don’t know about you, but I love a good restmod. Restmoding is about restoring a classic car and modernizing it at the same time. In the past, that might have meant putting his latest AMG powertrain in a classic Mercedes-Benz gullwing body, but these days my interest has turned to electrification.
Sadly, the costs involved are still prohibitive for most of us, but it’s not so true for car companies like Ford, General Motors, or Jaguar. At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, it surprised and delighted us with a modified AE86 Coupe, best known for its starring role. Initial D.
According to Toyota, the idea behind the project was to increase the prospect of carbon neutrality “to protect our cars.” The company says it worked with aftermarket suppliers to refurbish old inventory and use recycled materials wherever possible.
AE86BEV concept
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Aside from the decals along the sides, it’s hard to say anything unusual about this Toyota AE86 Corolla Levin.
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Toyota worked with aftermarket suppliers to bring back old stock.
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Opening the hatch reveals what happened here. Gone is the 1.6 L 4-cylinder engine, replaced by an electric motor in a hybrid Toyota truck.
Toyota.
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The AE86 BEV concept uses the Prius PHEV battery pack.
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The range may not be great, but the BEV concept should be fun to drive while the cells are charging.
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“Look, there’s no exhaust pipe!”
Toyota
One of the pair probably makes more sense than the other. With exposed headlights that use a Toyota Corolla Levin bodyshell, the car replaces Donner’s engine with the electric motor found in his new hybrid Toyota Tundra pickup. Perhaps a little more power over his 48 hp (36 kW) rating for that motor. , although the company is pretty tight on details.
The battery pack was donated by the Prius plug-in hybrid. At just 8.8 kWh, the battery limits the car’s practical range, but it’s probably fun to work with. Toyota has retained the AE86’s transmission, a common practice in lower-power EV restmods, and combines it with the “robust traction characteristics of a battery electric vehicle” to create an “even greater driving experience than the original.” You get a vehicle that delivers pleasure,” the company said. .”
AE86 H2 concept
More interesting is the second Restomod. It runs on hydrogen based on the body shell of Sprinter Trueno with pop-up headlights called the AE86 H2 concept. Also, like his recent one-off race car campaigned by Toyota president Akio Toyoda, the AE86 H2 concept will use fuel with an internal combustion engine rather than a fuel cell.
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The AE86 H2 concept uses the Sprinter Trueno shell. Notice the pop-up headlights, albeit in the closed position.
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Looking at the engine bay of the AE86 H2 Concept, most people wouldn’t think there was anything wrong. A keen eye will be on the lookout for various fuel pipes, injectors and spark plugs.
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Beneath the glossy carbon fiber cover of the rear hatch are the MIRAI Fuel Cell EV’s two H2 tanks.
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The H2 Concept’s interior is significantly more stripped down than its BEV Concept sibling.
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The AE86 H2 Concept still has an exhaust pipe, but it should mostly release steam.
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Toyota said, “It will take time for all new vehicles to become carbon neutral. It is essential for the future that we simultaneously promote the carbon neutralization of not only new vehicles but also the vehicles that customers are currently using.” said. But don’t expect production plans for these show cars.
Toyota.
Under the hood, it retains the original 1.6 L 4-cylinder 4A-GE engine and transmission, but lift the rear hatch to reveal the Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell EV’s two hydrogen tanks. A closer look at the engine bay reveals some new fuel injectors and spark plugs for fuel changes.
Since burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine is not very efficient and does not produce as much power as when using petrol, the AE86 H2 Concept may underperform compared to the original. Regarding the aim of the concept, Toyota said it aims to develop “a car that can be driven while enjoying the sounds and vibrations that are the appeal of an internal combustion engine.”
It’s very unlikely any of these concepts will make it into production plans, and I doubt we’ll see any third-party mods involving hydrogen-burning engines. It’s great to see the number of EV rest mods growing.
