Extreme Corolla

1988-1992 Toyota Corolla (USA)

The Corolla E90 was the sixth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate.

All Corollas were front-wheel drive for 1987, with production beginning in May 1987. For general export, the trim levels are Base, XL, GL, SE, and SE Limited. The GT-i was sold in limited numbers in certain countries. The all wheel drive Sprinter Carib wagon used a solid axle rear suspension with coil springs, while the rest used struts all around. The 4WD wagon was sold from 1988 to 1994 and had different bodywork to other Corollas. It was called the All-Trac in the US and sold with the Tercel or Corolla name in some countries. In general, all models depart from the previous generation’s boxy styling, for a more contemporary look and improved aerodynamics.

The Sprinter five-door liftback was called Cielo in Japan, and re-badged as the Corolla in Europe, though for a period in Ireland (and possibly elsewhere) it was badged the “Sprinter GLS”, unusually in cheap-looking decals instead of the metallic-coated plastic badges found on all other Toyotas of the time.

High performance GT-i models are powered by 4A-GE, and offered as 3-door hatchback, sedan, and 5-door liftback. The North American GT-S coupé shared the same engine.

This was awarded the 1988 Semperit Irish Car of the Year.

Japan

The 1.3 liter sedan has 4 speed manual transmission or 3 speed automatic transmission. The only model with 1.5 liter 5A-FHE was SE-Limited G. The 4WD sedan is powered by 1.6 liter 4A-FE. The Sprinter sedan has opera window on the C-Pillar.

The AE92 Levin and Trueno were also fitted with a supercharged engine. It used an SC12 roots type supercharger and a top mounted intercooler that was fed cool air via a scoop on the bonnet. They generated 206 N·m (152 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm as opposed to the N/a 4A-GE’s 136 N·m (100 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm.

Japanese market chassis:

• EE90 — Sedan 4-door (DX Custom, TX) 1.3 liter
• AE91 — Sedan 4-door (DX, SE, SE Limited G), wagon 5-door 1.5 liter
• AE92 — 2 door coupé (Levin, Trueno), Sedan 4-door (SE Limited, GT), Hatchback (FX, FX16, FX GT), Liftback (Sprinter GT) 1.6 liter
• AE94 — 4WD sedan 4-door (DX, SE Limited) 1.6 liter
• AE95 — FWD/4WD wagon 5-door (Carib)
• EE97 — FWD wagon 5-door (Std, XL) 1.3 liter

Japanese market engines:

• 2E — 1.3 liter
• 5A-F — 1.5 liter
• 5A-FHE — 1.5 liter
• 4A-FE — 1.6 liter
• 4A-GE — 1.6 liter
• 4A-GZE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, wide valve angle, supercharger, 165 hp (121 kW) GT-Z

South Africa

A facelifted version of the sixth-generation five-door hatchback was made in South Africa as an entry-level model called the Toyota Tazz from 1996 until July 5, 2006. The Tazz was offered as 130, and 160i. While the three-door was sold as a panel van model there, called the Toyota Carri.

North America

North American production of the sedan took place at NUMMI and Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. These two plants made 279,000 units, making a total of 4.5 million of this generation (AE92) made. The North American models depart from the previous generation’s boxy styling, for a more contemporary look and improved aerodynamics. They feature longer bumpers and small red conspicuity lights on the rear quarter panels. Cabin air exits through stylish vents behind the rear side windows.

A 25th anniversary special edition was produced in 1990, made to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Corolla line. It included 25th anniversary emblems on the front fender, embroidered on front seat and a 3-spoke steering wheel.

Minor changes for 1991 model years were Toyota (T) ellipse emblem on the grille, all-red tail lights, door-mounted and manual lap front seat belts, and new wheelcovers for DX. Rear garnish was deleted for the Base model. The LE was only available with automatic transmission.

The North American Corolla coupé with retractable headlights was basically a Sprinter Trueno with different front corner lights and longer bumpers. Trim levels are SR5 and GT-S. The GT-S is powered by 4A-GE engine, and comes with full body kits.

The four-wheel drive All-trac wagon in Base and SR5 trim levels were sold from 1988 to 1992 and had different bodywork to other Corollas. The Corolla All-trac sedan was sold in very small numbers.

The Geo Prizm shared a slightly different body with the Japan-market Sprinter, and built as sedan and liftback. These models were slightly more basic than their Europe/Japan versions.

North American market engines:

• 4A-F — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, narrow valve angle, 95 hp (71 kW)
• 4A-FE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, 102 hp (76 kW)
• 4A-GE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, wide valve angle, 115 hp (86 kW) GT-S

North American market chassis code & (VIN code): The Japanese built E90 has a JT2 VIN prefix while the NUMMI made E90 has a 1NX VIN prefix and the Cambridge built E90 has a 2T1 prefix.

• AE92 — Sedan 4-door Std (AE91), DX (AE94), LE (AE97)
• AE92 — Coupé 2-door SR5 (AE96), GT-S (AE98 – Trueno – pop-up headlights (Levin has fixed headlights)
• AE92 — FWD wagon 5-door DX (AE94)
• AE95 — 4WD sedan 4-door All-Trac/4wd (AE94)
• AE95 — FWD/4WD wagon 5-door Std, DX, All-Trac (AE95)

Europe

European market engines:

• 2E — 1.3 L (1295 cc), 12-valve SOHC, carb, 74 hp (55 kW)
• 4A-F — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, 95 hp (71 kW)
• 4A-FE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, 102 hp (76 kW)
• 4A-GE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, wide valve angle, 115 hp (86 kW) GT-S
• 1C-III — 1.8 L (1839 cc) I4 diesel, OHC, 67 hp (50 kW)

European market chassis:

• EE90 — 1.3 Sedan 4-door (XL,GL)
• AE92 – 1.6 Sedan 4-door (GL, GLi, XLi)
• AE92 — 1.6 Hatchback 3-door (GT-i)
• Liftback 5-door based on Sprinter sedan (XL, GL, GT)

The European model Corolla 4-door sedan, 3 and 5-door hatchback, and the wagon basically has the front end of the Japan-spec Corolla FX, except for the all white clearance lights and the “TOYOTA” or the ellipse emblem instead of the “FX” or “GT” of the Japanese model. It has the standard side marker lights and the taillight with the integrated rear foglamp (except for the wagon, which has the rear foglamp on the tailgate.) It also has headlight washers on the XL and the XLi models.

Australia

In December 1988, Toyota formed a joint venture with Holden called UAAI to build and market the Toyota Corolla as the Holden Nova. This agreement paralleled two Corolla generations including both the E90 and E100 series.

Australian market engines:

• 4A-F — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, 95 hp (67 kW) CS, CS Limited, CSX & Spirit
• 4A-FE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, 102 hp (76 kW) XL, SR5, CSi, CSi Limited, Olympic Spirit
• 4A-GE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, wide valve angle, 135 hp (100 kW) SX & GTi
• 6A-FC — 1.4 L (1397 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, narrow valve angle, 81 hp (60 kW) SE
• 7A-FE — 1.8 L (1762 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, 115 hp (85 kW) Seca RV & Seca Ultima

Australian market chassis:

• E-90 — Sedan, Hatchback (SE)
• E-92 — Sedan, Hatchback, Seca (CS, CSX, Spirit, SE, SX)
• E-93 — Hatchback, Seca (SX, GTi)
• E-94 — Sedan, Hatchback, Seca (CSi, CSi Limited, Ultima)
• E-95 — Wagon (XL, SR5, CSi, Olympic Spirit)
• E-96 — Seca (RV, Ultima)

Note:

• Liftbacks were referred to as Secas on the Australian market
• All 6th generation Corollas were 4 door on the Australian market
• The Corolla 4×4 wagon (Sprinter Carib Wagon elsewhere) was released in mid 1988, Hatchback, Seca & Sedan released mid 1989
• SX is generally AE93 although on rare occasions they are found to be AE92R
• The facelift series 2 models were released in October 1992
• 6A-FC was only found in SE hatchbacks and early SE Sedans
• 7A-FE corollas were AE94 Ultimas in early 1992 and AE96 Ultimas & RV’s in late 92 onwards

1990 Sprinter

Corolla wagon (US)

Corolla 4WD (Australia)

Corolla 5 door hatchback

Corolla coupe (US)

Sprinter Caribbean (Carib) (Japan)

Sprinter Carribean (Carib) (Japan)