[3] The inspiration for these compact sport coupés came from Toyota manager Geisuke Kubo who wanted to offer something similar to the Alfa Romeo Giula Junior.
This engine produced 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) gross, with claimed top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and able to complete a 1⁄4 mile (400 m) sprint in 16.3 seconds.
This engine was 5 PS (4 kW; 5 hp) less powerful, which also lowered the top speed to 185 km/h (115 mph) and quarter mile time to 16.7 seconds.
These engines produced 100–105 PS (74–77 kW; 99–104 hp) in gross power, with claimed a top speed of 170–175 km/h (106–109 mph) and a quarter mile time of over 17 seconds.
In contrast to the Corolla Levin (TE37), it was only available as a hardtop coupé with an aggressive forward raked nose design similar to the sedan version.
[9] The Corolla Levin (TE51) was also changed to a regular coupé body style just like the Sprinter Trueno (TE61), but still with a drastic difference on the nose.
Another facelift was introduced in April 1978 with the implementation of longer shock-absorbing front bumper and the advanced TTC-C with three-way catalytic converter because of the stricken emission regulation.
The TE47 Sprinter Trueno was exported to Belgium and Luxembourg, while the rest of the world received the regular Corolla hardtop coupé version.
This generation was now equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes as standard, rear suspension with coil springs like the E70 Corolla/Sprinter sedan and had a sunroof as an option.
[14][15] In the May 1981 facelift, two new trim levels were added to the line up; the cheaper "S" (with shorter front bumper) and the better optioned "APEX" (with standard Michelin sport tyres).
[16][17] The fourth generation of the Sprinter Trueno and Corolla Levin was released in May 1983 and was offered in 2-door coupé and 3-door liftback body styles.
The American Corolla SR-5 and GT-S had the same front-end as the Japanese Trueno, complete with retractable headlights, although it had different and longer bumpers in the front and rear so as to meet US federal standards.
[19] A carbureted SOHC 8-valve version of the new 1.6 L DOHC engine called the 4A-C was also available for the lower-grade models in North America, Australia and several other markets.
The female-oriented XL-Lissé and GL-Lime models of the AE85 were carried over to the AE91 series and were renamed as just Lime (Levin) and Lissé (Trueno), while retaining their same purpose.
The Lime and Lissé were the luxury variants of the G and L trims, featuring unique upholstery, power steering, and an automatic transmission, among others.
These engines (aside from the 4A-GZE) retained the T-VIS intake system from the early "bigport" versions found in the previous AE86 models, among other minor changes.
The carbureted 5A-F producing 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp), while the fuel injected 5A-FE is 9 PS (7 kW; 9 hp) more than the 5A-F.[22] Other distinct features on the Zenki models included different front bumpers for the Levin's front end, having a different design with a small upper grille that extends to both ends of the bumper.
The G, Lime and Lissé trims of the AE91 now had the revised fuel injected 5A-FE, while the XS and ZS have the 5A-FHE EFI-S engine producing 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp).
[25] For the North American market, the GT-S and SR-5 AE92 coupés came in the same configuration as with the prior AE86 models, being based on the Trueno with retractable headlights and Levin taillights.
The lower SR-5 was also upgraded with 4A-FE fuel injected engine, producing 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp)[27] This generation was also exported with "general specification" as the Corolla Coupe to selected markets, such as Chile, Hong Kong or Malta.
[28][29][30] Just like the North American model Corolla Sport Coupe, it also had Trueno retractable headlights and Levin taillights hybrid, but using the Japanese market bumpers.
Developed during the peak of the Japanese asset price bubble in the early 90's, the latest technologies in body, chassis, engine, transmission and safety were put into the new E100 series.
The series continued to follow the same tradition of offering two separate styles and names, sold to different brand dealers in Japan.
The same chassis would then be carried over to the next-generation E110 series as part of a cost-cutting measure made during the Lost Decades recession that happened throughout the 1990s.
Due to changing industry trends at the time, the use of hidden headlamps for the Trueno started to wane in popularity in the early 90's after last using them in the E90 series.
The successor to the preceding ZS and XS trim grades was the SJ, which featured the updated 4A-FE engine producing 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp).
[32] Japanese Formula 1 driver Ukyo Katayama was appointed as the image representative for marketing as he was popular in Japan at the time.
The weight of the twin coupés was reduced significantly with the revised structural design, the use of Toyota Super Olefin Polymer (TSOP) thermoplastic resin materials for the bumpers and interior and several other modifications.
A minor change was released in May 1996, the driver's side airbag and ABS became standard safety equipment for all trim levels.
In China, the Sporty twin models of E180 and E210 Corollas manufactured by GAC Toyota are sold under the Levin/Levin GT (Chinese: 雷凌/凌尚; pinyin: Léilíng/Língshàng) names.