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Few cars have ever captured my heart as the original Hachi Roku did. For the clueless, I’m referring to the AE-86 Toyota Corolla GTS, a RWD couple/hatchback from the mid-80′s. A major hit with the drift cult car, ranked around the 240sx/sylvia as one of the best drifters of all time. Lightweight + solid chassis + LSD + 4AGE motor + RWD = a smile you can’t remove for a week.

I owned one for a short time many moons ago. It wasn’t in the greatest condition, but I was planning on getting it nice again and maybe running it in some SCCA races. Unfortunately, parenthood came about and the car was sold as a parts donor. Such a waste.

For many years now, Toyota has moved away from fun, sporty cars, instead going after that “other” part of the market (i.e. what i became). It’s a shame that since the Supra met manufacturer doom, the sportiest ride Toyota has produced may be a tie between the Corolla XRS, Matrix XRS, and Camry SE’s. I take that back, the king may have to be the new Tundra with a 5.7L v8 with the optional TRD Supercharger. The ONLY Toyota in the flock to do sub 5 second 0-60′s (4.4 seconds) and a 13.0 flat 1/4 time. Since when did the trucks become the performance leaders?

Occasionally Toyota has given us up that the next generation of speed will arrive. Prototypes of AE86 replacements, news of the LFA super (soon to be built, but developed for 10 years), amongst other interesting ideas have been tossed out, then left to be forgotten.

Well, Toyota has been changing their game. First the ISF – I know it’s a Lexus – has shown that the company can mix luxury and performance. Obviously, the LFA supercar is another sign that Toyota wants speed. This car, which will cost more than $350,000, is a beast. But unfortunately, it is far beyond the reach of most buyers.

But Toyota does have something for us, something so sweet and sultry my mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Currently dubbed the FT-86, it is a RWD coupe being designed and built in partnership with Subaru (read more and see more at jalopnik.com). Power is expected to be in the 200-250 HP range (definitely above the AE-86′s output). The current show car interior is a bit, unusual, but will probably settle down for final production.

The only sin I see Toyota making is that they are considering calling it a Celica. A celica has never, and should never, be considered this type of car. Naming it the FT-86 means these guys know the roots after it, so give it its proper name: the Corolla GTS. The hachi roku reigns.