To Initial D ήταν μια σειρά ιαπωνικών manga επεισοδίων, που ξεκίνησε το 1995 και σταμάτησε το 2013. Η ιστορία επικεντρώνεται στον κόσμο των παράνομων αγώνες δρόμου στην χώρα του Ανατέλλοντος Ηλίου, όπου όλη η δράση είναι συγκεντρωμένη σε ορεινές διαδρομές και σπάνια σε πόλεις ή αστικές περιοχές. Ένα από τα αυτοκίνητα που έγιναν γνωστά και απέκτησαν μεγάλη φήμη ήταν το ασπρόμαυρο Toyota Corolla AE86, του Takumi Fujiwara, που έκανε διανομές tofu.
Περνώντας στο σήμερα, η Toyota Αγγλίας αποφάσισε αναγεννήσει το “θρύλο”, με ένα one-off GT86, το οποίο θα κάνει περιοδεία στην βρετανική επικράτεια αυτό το καλοκαίρι.
Το αγγλικό τμήμα της ιαπωνικής εταιρίας δεν αντέγραψε ακριβώς τη Corolla του Fujiwara, καθώς τοποθέτησε στο GT86 κάποιες σύγχρονες λύσεις, όπως τα carbon μέρη στο καπό, προστατευτικά στις χειρολαβές και καλύμματα καθρεφτών. Ακόμα φοράει κλασικές 17-άρες RS Watanabe ζάντες αλουμινίου σε μαύρο χρώμα, ενώ υπάρχουν λασπωτήρες, κίτρινα φώτα ομίχλης και σκουρώχρωμα πίσω φωτιστικά σώματα, όπως είχε και το AE86, ενώ υπάρχει και η επιγραφή στο πλάι “Fujiwara Tofu Shop”.
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Toyota Creates Manga-inspired GT86 Initial D Concept
29 June 2016
Inspired by the Initial D Japanese manga comic series, Toyota’s new GT86 project re-imagines the
world-famous AE86 Corolla for a new generation.
On its launch in 2012, the Toyota GT86 was instantly recognised as a spiritual successor to the rear-wheel drive Corolla GT Coupe – also known as the AE86 – of the mid-1980s. That connection has been re-emphasised with the creation of a one-off GT86 Initial D concept, liveried and kitted to match its comic book Corolla predecessor.
Initial D was a cult Japanese manga comic series in which the young hero, Takumi Fujiwara, famously drove a modified AE86, honing his driving skills on mountain roads while moonlighting as delivery driver for his father’s tofu shop. The car emerged as a star in its own right, influencing the emerging drifting scene and inspiring a live action movie and various arcade games.
To emphasise the new concept’s roots in pop culture, Toyota commissioned UK-based manga artist Sonia Leong to design a series of panoramic backdrops that effectively put the real GT86 into comic strip action scenes. Sonia has previously applied her graphic skills to create a manga film featuring the Toyota Aygo.
The concept
Created by Toyota’s UK special projects department, the GT86 Initial D concept is a faithful re-imagining of the fictional AE86. The coupe not only copies the manga car’s distinctive panda-style monochrome livery but uses new versions of the same Japanese market components that were featured so successfully on the original.
These include custom-made RS Watanabe alloy wheels, TRD suspension, a Fujitsubo exhaust system, Cusco strut brace, and a carbon fibre bonnet. Less obvious cues are the yellow-tinted fog lights, which hint at the Cibié spotlights fitted to improve Takumi’s night-vision, and the silver-painted engine cover that is a nod to the high-revving 20-valve ‘Silver Top’ 4A-GE engine installed during the series.
The thorough makeover is also evidenced by the inclusion of carbon fibre door handle protectors and mirror covers that give an effect similar to the black plastic material used on the AE86. In addition, mud flaps have been installed because they were on the original Initial D car, the boot lid spoiler has been removed, and the rear lenses have been tinted.
Joe Clifford from the special projects team commented: “Right from the start, the Toyota GT86 was
developed as a car that would appeal to enthusiasts, whether in standard trim or as an exploitable
base for further modifications. With this Initial D concept we not only acknowledge how important the AE86 was in influencing Toyota’s modern approach to sports cars but also demonstrate how the GT86 can be aesthetically and dynamically improved with relatively simple aftermarket accessories. But perhaps most of all, we just thought it was an achingly cool idea.”
The Toyota GT86 Initial D concept will be attending motoring events around Britain throughout the summer.
Technical specifications
Wheels – 8 x 17″ (ET40) RS Watanabe F8 alloys with optional black finish
Suspension – TRD Sportivo suspension system
Exhaust – Fujitsubo Authorize S system
Bonnet Bracing – Cusco Type OS front strut brace
Body graphics – Seibon OEM-style carbon fibre Panda-style metallic black vinyl graphics
Detailing – Cusco carbon fibre door handle protectors, OEM carbon fibre mirror covers, OEM mud flaps, tinted rear lenses, tinted front fog lights, TRD oil filler cap, TRD high-pressure radiator cap, TRD push start button
The text on the driver’s door reads Fujiwara Tofu Ten, which translates as ‘Fujiwara Tofu Shop’. The word in parenthesis is jikayou, which means ‘private’ and refers to the car’s classification in the Japanese tax system.
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