Building a follow up to the sporty Corolla TRD 1.8 Liftback was no easy feat. The Corolla TRD, was priced at a shade under R12000 in 1983, and with 86kw available, it was a performance bargain. While the Liftback was rear-wheel drive, Toyota’s switch to the E80 platform in 1983, brought front-wheel and with it, a longer wheelbase, meaning a more spacious cabin.
With the new E80 Corolla range, Toyota needed a performance orientated model, and actually brought three performance Corolla based variants – namely the Conquest RSi, the Sprinter GLi and lastly the Avante GLi. The Avante GLi actually topped the Corolla range in terms of price, even though it was the most ‘family focussed’, with its liftback styling.
While the regular 1.6-litre Avante made do with just 62kw, the GLi had something special under the hood. Powering the RSi, and GLi siblings was the same high revving 1.6-litre 4A-GE Twincam motor. The 4-cylinder powerplant featured T-VIS (Toyota Variable Induction System) technology, which was basically Toyota’s then latest tech which improved low-end torque by changing the geometry of the intake manifold according to the engine rotation speed.
The system used two separate intake runners per cylinder, one being equipped with a butterfly valve that could either open or close the runner. All valves were attached to a common shaft which was rotated by a vacuum actuator outside the manifold. Output stood at an impressive 86kw and 141nm, and the 16V motor was paired exclusively with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The Avante GLi matched the sportier Conquest RSi’s 0-100kph sprint time of 9.33 seconds, with 9.38 seconds, while it was 9kph faster than the Sprinter GLi that maxed out at 186kph – because of superior aerodynamics. It was even quicker than more expensive rivals like the Ford Sierra 3000GLX and the Volkswagen Jetta CLi.
Much like its brethren, it shared the same racy interior appointments, namely its brilliant sport seats up front, a leather-wrapped sport steering, a leather shifter, and a tachometer redlined at a dizzy 7,600rpm. Just like the RSi, it was a great ‘point and shoot’ car, thanks to its precise steering, brilliant chassis and independent suspension all round.
South Africa did however lose out on the rear-wheel driven ‘AE-86’ Corolla, which is widely regarded as one of the most iconic drift cars ever made. Sadly, many mistake this car for the Avante. The Avante GLi, priced at R22 275 when it launched in 1985, was the thinking man’s performance car. It brought a stonking free-revving motor, a relatively luxurious spec and typical Toyota reliability into a finely packaged family sportback.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the 1983 Toyota Corolla Avante GLi cost in South Africa?
The 1983 Toyota Corolla Avante GLi originally cost around R12,500 when new, making it the most expensive Corolla variant at the time, even pricier than the sportier Conquest RSi and Sprinter GLi siblings.
Q: Is the 1983 Toyota Corolla Avante GLi worth buying?
The Avante GLi is definitely worth considering if you want classic Toyota reliability with proper performance credentials, especially since it packs the legendary 4A-GE Twincam engine that delivers 86kW and can sprint to 100kph in just 9.38 seconds.
Q: What engine does the Toyota Corolla Avante GLi have?
The Avante GLi features Toyota's brilliant 1.6-litre 4A-GE Twincam 16-valve engine with T-VIS technology, producing 86kW and 141Nm, paired exclusively with a 5-speed manual gearbox for maximum driving enjoyment.
Q: How fast is the 1983 Toyota Corolla Avante GLi?
The Avante GLi reaches 100kph in 9.38 seconds and tops out at 195kph, making it faster than more expensive rivals like the Ford Sierra 3000GLX and Volkswagen Jetta CLi, thanks to its superior aerodynamics.
Should You Buy It?
The 1983 Toyota Corolla Avante GLi is absolutely worth buying if you can find a decent example today. While original examples might cost anywhere from R45,000 to R85,000 depending on condition, you're getting one of the best classic Japanese hot hatches ever made. The 4A-GE Twincam engine is legendary for good reason, the performance figures still impress today, and Toyota's build quality means these cars can go the distance. Just make sure you budget extra for maintenance and restoration costs, because finding original parts isn't getting any easier.
