Toyota Corolla (5th Generation)

The first front wheel drive Corolla was introduced with the 5th generation of 1984. However, the SR5 Coupe, Liftback and Station Wagon retained the 4th generations rear-drive chassis.

The front-drive Corolla was as conventional as it had been in a rear-driver layout. The same 1.6-liter, SOHC engine used in the rear-drive Corolla was now positioned transversely, and was coupled to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Midway through the 1984 model year, the rear-drive Corolla Coupe and Liftback were offered with a new dual-overhead cam, 16-valve version of the 1.6-liter four rated at a robust 124 bhp.

The resulting Corolla GT-S is now a classic of sorts, a highly tossable, fun-to-drive vehicle that has attracted a cult following of "drifters" who slide their vehicles through corners as a motorsport form in Japan.

This DOHC engine, along with the front-drive Corolla's five-speed transaxle, also served as the drivetrain in the midengine MR2, which came to Australia in early 1985.