There have been recent rumors floating around Tokyo that Toyota is planning to bring back the iconic rear-wheel-drive Corolla.  This comes as a huge teaser to the original AE86 following, but honestly, who wouldn't want a lightweight, balanced, rear wheel drive Toyota?  Especially considering how the original AE86 left its mark on numerous mountain roads, autocross tracks, and drift events everywhere.

Toyota is definitely in need of a car the average enthusiast would actually drive.  As it stands, the sportiest Toyota in their line-up isn't even a car; it's the Tacoma X-Runner.  They make their pick-up truck capable of hanging with a 350Z on a track, but leave us with the Matrix, Camry and Prius.  Toyota is definitely doing something right in terms of selling cars, but gone are the days of the rear wheel drive, twin turbocharged fury of the Supra, the mid-engine blast that was the MR2, and the rally bred, original turbocharged all-wheel drive All-Trac Celica.  The return of a car like this would bring long lost respect back to one of the top automakers. 

Senior Toyota execs are pushing for the return of this legendary machine, but Toyota's sales and marketing team are shooting it down based on the fact that they think it won't sell.  My take?  I think a car like this is just what we need.  The AE86 was probably the best "driver's" car ever made.  Today, all of our current sports car offerings do the driving for us.  As of right now this is all just speculation, but it's already got me excited.  It's good to know manufacturers aren't completely losing touch of what we all really want.  It's nice to know they want it too.