The AAU M2087 1.6 EFI Turbo offers outstanding value at a price no competitor can match.
It’s also full of sporty promise with an advanced turbocharged and electronic fuel injection engine with over a 100hp means it can sprint to 100km/h in under ten seconds!
Yet it is just as practical and reliability for everyday use plus with class-leading insurance and servicing costs so it won’t break the bank making the AAU M2087 1.6 EFI Turbo a compelling package.
Details
Released in May 1987, the Anikatian Auto Union (AAU) M2087 was available as a sedan or coupe. It fits within the AAU lineup above the compact M2083 and below the full-size AAU 3075. While not as successful as the rival semi privatised brand Maesima the wholly state-owned Anikatian Auto Union widely exported and marketed the AAU internationally although it saw its best sales locally alongside the larger M3075 where it primarily filled the role of a taxi and police vehicles as well as affordable basic transportation for those lucky enough to afford them.
The rear-wheel-drive AAU M2087 was initially available with a series of naturally aspirated 1.3-litre or 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines with aluminium construction, twin barrel eco carburettors and a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. That was mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option. Power output varied with the tune as the engine was able to run on both low-quality domestic fuels and higher grades in certain markets.
The lineup consisted of the basic M2087L trim sedan and coupe equiped with a 1.3-litre engine, 5-speed manual transmission, drum brakes front and rear, no radio or power steering. These model were mostly sold domestically and within certain developing markets. The M2087X trim featured a 1.6-litre engine, the option of 4-speed automatic and radio. Export variants were designated EL and EX trims. With the EX being the only one offered in the European market, the differences also included the option for hydraulic power steering, radio and high-grade seating and comfort.
In 1990, all models were further developed with western partners as an effort to maintain and build on export levels to the Western countries where the obsolete carburettor system failed to meet stricter emission standards. Thus the new EFI variant of the engine was developed by installing the Bendix and ECU Renix injection and injection units.
In addition, an exclusive M2087E Sports 1.6 EFI Turbo trim with further modifications was produced in partnership with its Western market European operations to act as a halo vehicle for the brand. This model featured a low-pressure Garrett turbocharger, suspension tweaks hydraulic power steering, larger front solid disc brakes while the drum rear remained, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, and an Eaton Performance viscous limited-slip differential (LSD). Approximately 1,000-3,000 examples were produced between 1990-1995 for the European market. It’s surprise success winning the Affordable European Sportscoupe for 1990 led to the production of a M2087 EFI Turbo sedan from 1990 which followed coupe with the same EFI engine, LSD, but it kept the 14-inch steel wheels and drums all around. Unlike the coupe this model was not limited in production.
The AAU M2087 had double wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle with coil springs. Furthermore, the AAU M2087. Standard features for the M2087 included five seats (2+2 in coupe variants), a sound system with four speakers an FM/AM radio with cassette player and front fog lights.
The AAU M2087 stayed in production until the collapse of the DSRA without any major changes to the exterior but technically it was further improved to meet rising emissions standards. Production ended without a direct successor due to a combination of internal and external factors such as an Asian Financial Crisis and national instability.
While design remained traditional compared to competition and performance was acceptable the design offered a compelling value proposition within its segment while maintaining a relatively a high degree of practicality and ease of maintenance has made it a popular entry-level vehicle for enthusiasts. It’s discreet styling looking nearly identical to standard variant besides the subtle addition of turbo badging and small lip and made the EFI Turbo quite the sleeper. In recent years, it is becoming a collectors’ items, with growing popularity due to the limited number of vehicles produced along with poor environmental protection meant clean examples are becoming much harder to find.