Toyota reveals Manga-inspired 86

Toyota has shown a one-off version of its 86 coupe that pays tribute to the original AE86 Corolla that starred in the cult Manga comic, Initial D.

For those not familiar with the globally famous Japanese comic books, Initial D's hero, Takumi Fujiwara, drove a modified AE86 and spent many adventures honing his drifting skills on local mountain roads while acting as a delivery driver for his father's tofu shop.

In Japan, Fujiwara and his AE86 is said to have been one of the greatest inspiration for the global drifting scene that began on the outskirts of Tokyo among other places. The comic has subsequently also spun-off both an arcade game and movie.

Commissioned by Toyota UK, the 86 Initial D is far from standard. It features full TRD sport suspension, a performance exhaust, front strut brace and carbon-fibre bonnet.

Look closer and the 86 also mimics the old AE86's black plastic door-handles too (the 86 uses gloss carbon-fibre), mud flaps and lack of boot lid spoiler.

The yellow-tinted fog lights, meanwhile, also hint at the original car's yellow-stained Cibie spot lamps.

Toyota UK has no plans to push the special 86 Initial D into production. Instead, it will tour motoring events for the rest of the British summer as a demonstrator of how the current 86 coupe can be improved aesthetically and dynamically using simple aftermarket accessories.