Quote:
Originally Posted by Tcoat
But then they would have missed out on that huge crowd that knew what an AE86 was.
OH and that massive Initial D crowd.
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Can't tell if sarcastic or not. While the Celica nameplate was obviously around longer than the AE86 generation of Corolla's, the AE86 is far and away more popular and well known than any of the best Celica's. I highly doubt the Celica's long lasting nameplate would've mattered to the masses in regards to sales from name recognition.
The car's (ZN6) birth really did sprout from how surprised Toyota was at the lasting popularity of an, at the time, 20 year old econo chassis. They reached out to the AE86 communities, including Club4AG, to see what they liked, and would like changed, etc. It is in this spirit the car was developed.
Of course, it is by no means a direct successor to the AE86. It wouldn't be one to the Celica either, for that matter.