Given that the modern-day 86 is inspired by the AE86 Corolla of the early-to-mid 1980s, it’s surprising that this is the first Toyota 86 Initial D concept to be officially commissioned by Toyota.
Created by Toyota’s UK arm, the concept is inspired by the car that starred in the Initial D manga comic books, which were published between 1995 and 2013, as well as the related 1998 animated television series.
Like the AE86 Toyota Sprinter Trueno hatch driven by the series’ protagonist, Takumi Fujiwara, the 86 Initial D concept has a white body. The vinyl black stripe package across the 86’s lower body directly mimics the one fitted to Takumi’s AE86.
More modern elements, such as the concept’s yellow-tinted fog lights, dark-tinted tail-lights, and carbon-fibre bonnet, door handles and mirror caps achieve a similar effect to the original car’s design.
The 86 Initial D concept rides on black 17-inch Watanabe alloy wheels matched with a TRD Sportivo suspension setup and a Cusco Type OS front strut brace.
Other changes include a start button, oil filler cap and radiator cap sourced from TRD. Like the car used in the comics and TV show, the 86 Initial D concept is fitted with mud flaps.
Although the concept is fitted with an Fujitsubo Authorize S exhaust system, no changes have been made to the 86’s 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engine, although the engine cover is painted silver in honour of the 20-valve ‘silver top’ 4A-GE 1.6-litre engine available on domestic market AE86 models.
In addition to creating the concept car, Toyota UK also commissioned British manga artist Sonia Leong to create the comic book-style backgrounds seen here.
The Toyota 86 Initial D concept will tour the UK throughout the northern summer. No word, yet, on whether the car will be used for tofu deliveries.
