Few cars exhilarate the souls of enthusiasts quite like the 1983 Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno. More affectionately known in the car community as the Toyota AE86, it defined the very core of car culture for many enthusiasts, especially when it appeared in the Initial D manga and anime in the mid-1990s to the 2000s and early 2010s, long after its discontinuation in 1987.
Now, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) is giving enthusiasts another reason to celebrate – the reproduction of key components for the AE86’s legendary 4A-GE engine.
As part of the GR Heritage Project, TGR will be reproducing the sub-assembly components of the 4A-GE’s cylinder head and cylinder block. The good news is that these aren’t just mere replicas. TGR is going all-out for this by reengineering the components using modern technology and materials, while staying true to the original specs of the highly praised engine. What this means is that for those who want to keep their “Hachiroku (Japanese for eight-six)” alive and period-correct, this is big news.
According to TGR, the cylinder head will feature refinements made possible by modern machining, allowing for more consistent compression ratios. Moreover, the intake ports will receive a smooth coating to improve air flow, while cam cap knock pins – once only partially used – will now be applied across the assembly to make rebuilding more straightforward. For the cylinder block, TGR plans to hone the component with advanced techniques and better materials, such as a tougher cast iron. TGR stated that the crank-cap structure will be redesigned using simulations to enhance its strength.
And, with customer feedback in mind, TGR will also give the cylinder head thicker intake and exhaust port walls, while the block will include bosses and ribs for compatibility with front-wheel-drive vehicles. With this approach, the potential of the resurrected 4A-GE engine can now be fully utilized in more modern vehicles, such as the Toyota GR86 or the Toyota Vios.
While this news resonates strongly with AE86 enthusiasts, it’s worth noting that TGR has yet to fully mass-produce or sell the components. It, however, will showcase a Toyota AE86 model with a 4A-GE engine assembled using the new components at the Initial D 30th Anniversary event at Fuji Speedway on September 13–14, 2025. There, visitors will be able to place preorders at the GR Heritage Parts booth during the 2-day celebration.
According to TGR, general sales are targeted to begin around May 2026. But the company clarified that the target date could change, depending on the demand and development progress.
