What better pairing than two cars that symbolize so much in the JDM world? That connection alone made bringing Alec’s AE86 Levin together with ADRO Japan’s GR86 widebody demo car in Hakone worthwhile. Think of it as a celebration of everything the Hachiroku has come to represent for generations of Japanese car enthusiasts.
The original is a car so pure and uncomplicated that it has inspired enthusiasts for more than four decades. The latter is a modern reinterpretation, carrying that same simple formula into an era where regulations and shifting consumer expectations have made affordable sports cars increasingly difficult for manufacturers to justify.
Toyota took a gamble when it revived the 86 with the ZN6 in 2012. Investing so heavily in a niche sports car that would never sell in huge numbers was a brave move. In an industry where economies of scale often dictate what gets built, the 86 probably didn’t make much sense on paper. But Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s Chairman, knew that whatever the car failed to generate in profit, it would repay itself through brand awareness and enthusiasm.
Nissan teased the iDX concept, a potential rebirth of the iconic S-chassis, but in the end it didn’t go through with it. Toyota did with the 86, and it became one of the biggest success stories in modern sports car history. The Supra followed, followed by the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, and we’ll soon have the MR2 and GT joining the lineup. None of these cars are likely to be major profit generators for Gazoo Racing or Toyota, but that’s beside the point. They’ve made Toyota an exciting brand again, proving just how important halo cars can be.
But enough waffling. Let’s get back to the two “Hachis” we have here.
Alec’s Corolla Levin has been dialed in over the years, resulting in an AE86 that not only looks right but rewards behind the wheel. It’s a balance of performance and aesthetics, fun and usability. The recent addition of RAYS Volk Racing TE37V spec-SR wheels has completely transformed the car’s look, the custom-mixed pearl blue exterior paint enhanced by the bronze finish of the wheel centers and their polished lips.
Parked alongside it, the ADRO GR86 – sitting on RAYS Volk Racing 21As and wearing the company’s full widebody conversion – highlights just how worthy a successor this platform is. In its second generation, the GR86 benefits from a little more capacity from its flat-four engine, giving it the extra mid-range punch the original always seemed to lack. It’s a combination that feels perfectly at home on the fast and twisty roads around Hakone.
We took both cars to the top of the Hakone Turnpike for those iconic Mt. Fuji views before making our way down towards Yugawara, stopping along the way to capture the pair together while reflecting on their importance.
We’re constantly told that an all-electric future is inevitable, and perhaps it is. But it calms my soul to see that there’s still so much passion for cars like these.
The AE86 reminds us how important simplicity and purity can be for a satisfying drive, while the GR86 proves those same qualities can still exist in 2026 without spending a small fortune on a more exotic sports car.
And, as always, the aftermarket is there to help enthusiasts make these cars their own, whether they’re working with a four-decade-old icon or something brand new. And by the looks of things, we’ll be able to do this for a little longer, so we might as well enjoy it while we can.
