Toyota
Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX "Black Limited" (AE86)

Why it matters

The Black Limited is the only factory special edition of the AE86 Sprinter Trueno, the rear-drive coupé that became a cult car through motorsport and the Initial D manga. Toyota itself treats it as the reference point for its later 86 heritage editions. With 400 built it is by far the rarest factory version of the AE86 family.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Toyota released the Black Limited in January 1986, towards the end of AE86 production, as a 400-car run based on the top 3-door Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX. Only paint, trim and interior details changed; the 4A-GEU twin-cam engine and running gear were those of the standard GT-APEX. All 400 cars were Truenos with pop-up headlamps – no Corolla Levin version was made.

In January 2020 Toyota Gazoo Racing displayed a Black Limited at the Tokyo Auto Salon beside a concept that recreated its colours on the first-generation 86, and in March 2020 Toyota sold an 86 GT "Black Limited" edition that explicitly referenced the AE86 car.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Genuine cars are 3-door Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX models (E-AE86 3-door) finished in Black Metallic, colour code 204 – a colour not offered on the normal range – and the code is shown on the VIN plate. Look for the gold "Trueno"/"Black Limited" door decals and gold pinstripe, gold front Trueno badge, gold-painted 14-inch "snowflake" wheels, the "Black Limited" reflector panel between the kouki tail lamps, "Apex" embroidery on the seats, orange-printed instruments, centre console and radio, and an amber clock. A Levin badged as a Black Limited is not genuine.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Toyota global newsroom: 86 GT "BLACK LIMITED" release (cites the 1986 AE86 Black Limited) Level A

   • 400 Sprinter Trueno 3-door GT-APEX Black Limited cars sold in Japan (limited run announced January 1986)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Sprinter Trueno (5th generation) – vehicle lineage Level A Toyota Motor Corporation – 75 Years of Toyota

   • Engine code 4A-GEU
   • Water-cooled, in-line 4-cylinder, DOHC
   • 1587 cm3
   • 130 PS at 6600 rpm (net)
   • 130 PS at 6600 rpm

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   TAS 2020: Toyota 86 Black Limited concept and AE86 Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex Black Limited on display Level C Gerard Lye · paultan.org · 2020-01-14

   • sent to the rear wheels
   • five-speed manual

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   Sprinter Trueno (AE86) (Vehicle Lineage) Level A Toyota Motor Corporation, "75 Years of TOYOTA"

   • retained the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) layout
   • combination of MacPherson struts and 4-link coil springs with a lateral rod
   • 4-link coil springs with a lateral rod
   • Wheelbase(mm) 2400
   • Length(mm) 4205
   • Width(mm) 1625
   • Height(mm) 1335
   • Curb mass(kg) 1215

   Accessed 2026-11-12