Toyota Sera

Toyota Sera (1990-1995)

The Toyota Sera (model code EXY10 ) was a 2-door, 4 - seat coupe, the Toyota from 1990 to 1995 built. Actually, the car was only produced for the Japanese market, but was eventually exported to Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Canada, UK and Ireland. 1988, the car was introduced as a concept car Toyota AXV -II in almost production-ready form. The name of the production model Sera comes from the French word meaning "will be". This should indicate both the futuristic design and the close relationship to the aforementioned concept car. The most striking detail were his scissor doors that opened up in front, and its large glass dome. The model was produced in a factory of the manufacturer Central Motor.

• 3.1 Phase I ( March 1990 - May 1991)
• 3.2 Phase II (May 1991 - June 1992 )
• 3.3 Phase III (June 1992 - December 1995)
• 3.4 Phase III " Amlux " special model

• 4.1 Super Live Surround Sound ( SLSS )
• 4.2 Air filter and scent systems

Basic model

Since the car was brought out in only one body style and with a type of motor, there are technically only one model EXY10. However, there were quite a number from the factory offered special equipment packages. In addition, Toyota introduced the car in three generations ( called phases ) ago, which in certain details, such as the interior, distinguished, though the differences were more of a cosmetic nature. A total of 15,852 sera were built and approved in Japan.

Technology

All sera had a four-cylinder engine of the Toyota E series with 1,496 cc unleaded gasoline. The majority of electric motors, however, was incorporated into other Toyota models, such as the Paseo or the starlet. The injection engine was installed transversely in front, driving the front wheels. All versions of the sera had power steering and either a manual five -speed manual transmission or a four-stage automatic transmission. The brakes were fitted with front ventilated discs and rear drums. Only the versions with ABS had internally ventilated discs.

Drive components, underbody, suspension, steering and brakes were similar to those of the Paseo and the Starlet. Thus, these parts are relatively easy to get replacement parts today.

Body

The Sera has a monocoque steel body, which has a low and rounded shape. It is a 3 -door station wagon coupe. The most striking detail were the scissor doors, which were posted on the A- pillars on the top and bottom, and similar to those of the McLaren F1 or the Saleen S7 opened. The weight of the doors was primarily worn by thick gas -filled shock absorbers and additionally compensated by a small shock in the doors, the temperature differences. Over time, the damper lose their air charge, which can cause the doors no longer stay open. This error can be eliminated by refilling or replace the damper. Unlike the normal folding doors, the scissor doors of sera can be opened in relatively confined spaces; only 43 cm of space to the side is required.

The tailgate of the sera was exceptional because it was built entirely of glass without metal frame. This gave the sera together with the extremely pulled down windshield and the windows in the roof engaging the scissor doors, the appearance of a glass dome. This arrangement gave the driver of a Sera good visibility, although the broad B -pillar these restricted somewhat, especially on the driver's side. This high proportion of windows also ensures high heating of the interior in strong sunlight. This effect is however mitigated by the standard air conditioning and two removable roof panels.

Since this roof structure, such as the Cabriolet, granted little support, the sera did not reach the torsional stiffness of a vehicle with the roof closed. This can lead to impaired driving, and this can also be the age of the vehicle and the failure of some chassis components.

Interior decoration

The Sera was a 2 2 coupe with front bucket seats and a rear bench, which had a fixed center armrest. Both front seats were to move forward and to wrap up the backrest to allow access to the rear. Thanks to the deep rear seats even adults have adequate rear headroom. In all phases, three-point belts were installed in front, while depending on the phase two- or three-point belts were available back. The individual phases differed substantially in the interior.

(Mounted rack and backrest installed ) In normal seating configuration of the trunk has a remarkably small opening (52 cm x 82 cm) and the loading edge is relatively high. The trunk itself is but quite large. The backs of the rear seats fold down but and both the parcel shelf and the luggage net behind the rear seats can be completely removed, so that the entire back of the car to the boot is. In fact, the Sera has to offer quite a lot of luggage space for its size. The spare tire and tools are located in a separate compartment under the trunk floor.

Other equipment details

The Sery EXY10 was one of the first cars, the projection headlights had ( although the concept vehicle AXV II 1988 had normal headlights). The Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 was probably the first car scissor doors, the windows of which ranged as in Sera to the roof.

Export

Since the sera was officially built for the Japanese market, all cars were equipped with right-hand drive and metric instruments. This left an export mainly in countries that had the same requirements. For the UK, where one miles speedometer is required, only minor changes were necessary. Major renovations are required for export to the United States or most European countries. In Australia, the Sera generally require three-point seatbelts and side impact protection in order to obtain a type approval.

Phases

The Toyota Sera was produced in three different generations. It gave him with manual or automatic transmission, standard or ABS brakes, normal stereo or Super Live Sound System ( SSLS ). During the entire production period, there was also extensive special equipment packages to choose from.

Phase I ( March 1990 - May 1991)

In the original version, most of the sera models was delivered (about 12,000 of a total 15,852 ):

• Beige or gray-blue interior (depending on exterior color )
• Cap with bayonet lock
• Durable, ribbed upholstery fabric

Phase II (May 1991 - June 1992 )

Second version (about 2,300 copies):

• Pastel Colored interior with beige or greyish cushions, depending on the interior color
• Bolt on filler cap
• Other upholstery fabric quality

Phase III ( June 1992 - December 1995)

The last run of the sera showed significantly more changes compared to the original design as the phase II ( 1,550 copies):

• Gray interior with second color that was matched to the exterior color
• Some improvements to the engine
• Side impact protection in the doors
• On request: airbags (only in conjunction with ABS)
• Three-point rear seat belts ( up to November 1993 optional)
• Stronger gas shock absorbers for the doors to compensate for the extra weight of the side impact protection
• Massive rear spoiler made ​​of plastic with third diode (LED) brake light. This was the only externally visible change to the Sera.

Phase III " Amlux " special model

The Sera Phase III appeared also as a special model Amlux, a name which was borrowed from the Toyota representative building in Tokyo. The Amlux building houses the largest exhibition in the world for automobiles and is located in Ikebukuro. It is one of the oval skyscrapers that glow purple at night, but has a matte finish and bright white stripes.

The Sera Sera Amlux based on the phase III with automatic transmission and SLSS. He had to feature details:

• Two-tone paint in green
• Axle caps in special colors
• Blue Tinted windows
• Six different colors to choose from for the seat covers
• Cover for the rear seats
• AMLUX logo on the floor mats
• AMLUX logo on the doors
• Personal name tag on each car
• Designed to customer's seat cushion and a special scarf

Special equipment ex works

In all phases of the sera with various optional extras were from the factory. The most important technical equipment was the ABS. Other details included:

• Different logos and stripes as a sticker
• Karosseriekits
• Car phone / Auto fax
• Parking sensors
• Tinted glass with pattern
• Roof coverings
• Ski racks ( fixed to the doors )
• Upper spoiler smoked glass
• Particular pattern for seat covers and floor mats
• Various car radios

Super Live Surround Sound ( SLSS )

An important special equipment inside was a special stereo system called '' Super Live Surround Sound or SLSS ''. The SLSS had a total of 10 speakers, 3 x 10- cm tweeters in the front console (left - center - right), 2 x 10- cm midrange in the doors (left - right), 2 units high and 2 pieces midrange in a tubular attachment on the rear shelf and a subwoofer in the trunk. The SLSS had a 3-way Digital Sound Processor ( DSP) with positions " Off", " casual " or " Funky ", which could be adjusted with a knob on the radio, which was labeled " WARP ". This caused slight differences in sound by default ratios of ups and downs occur, and turned the speakers either for listening in the car or sound emission by the rear window.

Air filter and scent systems

Owner of a Toyota Sera were able to choose one or two different electronic cabin air filter. There was either a single air filter interior lights combination, which was mounted on the headliner, or a system that was mounted as "Air Fantasy" in the front panel below the stereo. The roof unit air drawn by a fan from the front blew it through a filter back off again. The Air Fantasy system was connected to the air conditioning of the car and pumping small amounts of offset with fragrances air either automatically or on request through the ventilation openings.