Toyota Tercel

The Toyota Tercel was a compact-class car from Toyota, which was located between the Toyota Starlet and Toyota Corolla. He was the first Toyota model with front-wheel drive Toyota's competitor for Nissan Pulsar at start of production. In Asia, he was partly offered as a Toyota Corolla II or Toyota Corsa. In North America, where the starlet was not offered, he was up to replace the entry level model of Toyota, where it was first marketed as a Toyota Corolla Tercel. For some markets, there was next to the 2 - or 4-door sedan and a three -door hatchback, which was not offered in Germany. The second generation in 1982 again was everywhere now Toyota Tercel and should be 3 - door hatchback model to the Corolla, as a competitor to the Nissan Cherry - or 5. With the success of Nissan Prairie Toyota developed based on the Tercel and Corolla Toyota Sprinter Carib ( in Europe Tercel 4WD Tercel Wagon in North America ) and based on this again a sedan that was only offered in Asia. The third and subsequent generations were no longer offered in Europe, since the Starlet was the entry level model and the Corolla has now built itself as a hatchback model to be competitive in the compact class. From now on, the Tercel was designed specifically for North America and was between the small car and compact class. In addition to the hatchback and 4-door sedan and a two -door sedan was offered only in North America. From 1998, first in the United States, the Tercel was the Toyota Echo and later replaced the Toyota Vitz.

L10 1st generation ( 1978-1982 )

Tercel Sedan 4-door

In August 1978, the sale of the Tercel as Toyota Corolla II Toyota Since that time, as is customary in Japan, had different dealer networks, such as the Corolla Store or Toyopet Store, a distinction was necessary to Corolla launched. In Corolla Store mean -equipped models were offered and was which usually represented in the country in the Toyopet Store, commercial vehicles and simply equipped cars. The models sold at Toyopet Store were called Toyota Corsa. With the Corolla II Toyota unveiled its first car with front-wheel drive, which in price and positioning higher than the Corolla was located. In addition to front-wheel drive had the 2 - or 4 -door sedan the 1452 cc SOHC completely newly developed four - cylinder 1A -U gasoline engine with 59 kW ( 80 hp ) and 5- speed manual transmission, which is opposite to the regular Corolla less fuel consumption, more power and lower emissions bot. Shortly after the launch, a 3 -door coupe was available.

• In January 1979, the export of the sedan versions to Europe first started with the newly designed 1295 cc SOHC 4- cylinder 2A -U gasoline engine with 48 kW ( 65 hp ) and 4 - or optional 5 -speed manual transmission. The introduction of this engine was made in Japan in June, but with 54 kW (74 hp). At the same time the 1.5 Liter 3A -U has now installed, now with 61 kW (83 hp) and also in the Corolla. Also a 3 - speed automatic was available with this engine. The motors are each mounted in the longitudinal direction.

• Beginning of 1980 was a minor facelift with schrägerer front and minor changes to the rear and in the interior, parallel to the introduction of the sedans and the coupe and Toyota Corolla Tercel in North America. The revised version was offered on the domestic market until in August, as well as in Europe. In North America, only the 1.5 liter was available in a version with 45 kW (61 hp).

• In its home market, the series was less successful than in export markets, so that the future development were aligned to these requirements.

L20 2nd generation (1982-1986)

Tercel 3 -door Hatchback

The Tercel L20 was designed specifically for North America and Europe, and the 5-door hatchback should be a competitor to the Nissan Cherry in the home market. In North America, it continued to be the entry level model and direct in Europe Toyota's competitor to the VW Golf, Opel Kadett and Ford Escort and other competitors. The sales began in May 1982 and he was everywhere now offered as a Tercel. In its home market of the Toyota Tercel on Vista dealer network was offered. Available were the same engines, 2A -U 1.3 L with now but 55 kW (75 hp) and 1.5 L 3A -U with 61 kW ( 83 hp ) and additionally 3A - HU with 63 kW (86 hp). The latter was offered in the export Toyota Sprinter Carib only in Toyota's first sports utility vehicle. The Sprinter Carib developed Toyota parts from the fixed plans of the Tercel L20, combined with the rear-wheel drive Toyota Corolla / Sprinter. Thus Toyota was able to realize a low-cost means of transfer case switchable all-wheel drive. The rationale for this model was the 1981 successfully launched Nissan Prairie. Other than this, the Sprinter Carib was not a minivan, but a station wagon with the rear raised roof for lots of cargo space. The Sprinter Carib was first offered in Japan in August 1982, based on it, a 4-door sedan that was offered only in Asia.

The power transmission was generally about 5- speed manual or optional three - speed automatic transmission. Only in North America possessed the basic model only has a 4 -speed transmission.

• As of 1983, the Sprinter Carib was also exported as. Tercel 4WD Europe and Oceania than Tercel Wagon to North America In a few markets it was also available only with front-wheel drive.

• In August 1983, Toyota added a 3-door hatchback variant in the model range.

• As of August 1984, Toyota built a 4WD version of the sedan. At the same time replaced the 1.5 L 3A -SU with 66 kW ( 90 PS) 3A - HU both the offered only in Asia sedan and the Sprinter Carib / Tercel Wagon 4WD/Tercel.

• In January 1985, a special model of the inclined tail appeared with air conditioning, which was bought especially in North America and often appeared there as its own equipment line later. In September, in Asia, the special model sedan 4WD VL with numerous extras such as electronic chassis, two-tone paint, electric sunroof and air conditioning.

• The sedan and the Sprinter Carib received a minor facelift in May 1986, the same time the production of the Tercel was set hatchback models and replaced on the home market through the Tercel L30. By October, the L20 series was still in the export offer.

5 -door hatchback U.S. Version

Tercel Wagon Europe

Rear view

L30 3rd Generation (1986-1990)

Tercel 5 -door Hatchback

And 5 -door hatchback in the home market - In May 1986, the third generation than 3 launched. Partly he was again offered in Japan as Corsa Tercel. Basically, the chassis remained the same, but the wheelbase was now 50 mm shorter. The steering rack has been thoroughly revised in favor of a smaller turning circle and there was a redesigned independent suspension. The engines were now mounted transversely. The body was completely redesigned and the Toyota Starlet, the new EFI 3E -EU SOHC 1.5 -liter 12 - valve petrol engine with variable venturi carburetor and 58 kW as well as the 1.5 L 1N - T diesel engine was adopted (78 PS), However, with a turbocharger. In addition, there was also the slightly revised 1.5 -liter gasoline engine with 66 kW (90 hp) now than 3E- U of sedans and station wagon version of its predecessor. These two were further produced and how far the sedan was available only in Asia. The 4WD Kombi Sprinter Carib was still available as a Tercel Wagon 4WD Tercel or with the 3E -U engine and 5- speed manual or 3- speed automatic transmission. New was now as an option an active suspension or two-tone paint, in special equipment versions there was this about electric sunroof, air conditioning and other equipment depending on the market. Another new possible option was a 6- speed manual transmission, where the first transition as slowly applies to low- Ride starting gear on slippery ground in combination with differential lock was available.

Unlike in North America was in Europe only the Tercel 4WD offered, since the new starlet was the entry level model and the Tercel L30 this unnecessary competition would have made.

In its home market, there was now a special base model with the 1.3 liter petrol engine of its predecessor and four - speed manual or 3- speed automatic transmission as Tercel VD. Power steering and air conditioning existed in the VD models just as electric windows and central locking with which the other versions were partially fitted as standard. These also have their 5 - speed manual or optional 4 - speed automatic transmission.

• Beginning of 1987 was the launch of the Tercel L30 hatchback models in North America. Available here he was only with the 1.5 liter EFI engine with 5-speed manual or 4 - speed automatic transmission. Shortly after launch, the base model Tercel EZ with staked- standard equipment such as vinyl upholstery, 4 -speed manual transmission, rubber mats instead of carpeting was introduced and without passenger side sun visor.

Only in North America, there was a 2 -door coupe.

• In January 1988, the Sprinter Carib was replaced in the home market by a new generation. In May 1988, this was followed by a sedan version. Both were based on the Toyota Corolla. When Tercel L30, minor detail changes along with the introduction of the GP- Turbo with around spoiler package and the VS -i, each with a 1.5 liter engine and turbocharger on the home market. The VD version together with the 1.3-liter petrol engine accounted for replacement, but a scaled down version was introduced as VR.

• In early 1990, the Tercel received L30 two-point seat belts for driver and passenger. The production of this series ended in August 1990.

L40 4th Generation (1990-1994)

Tercel Sedan

In September 1990, the L40 generation again launched on the domestic market as at the beginning of the series as the Corolla II The basis for this series introduced the new Toyota Starlet, with the only 3-door hatchback was also outwardly much the same. This was re- marketed as a Corsa Tercel. The 4-door sedan was largely from the Starlet front and was otherwise an independent development. Were adopted from the starlet also of the 1.3 L petrol engine and the 1N - T 1.5 L diesel engine with 49 kW (67 hp). In addition, there was a new 3E -E 1.5 liter Twin-cam 16-valve petrol engine with 70 kW (95 hp) and 82 kW (112 hp). In addition, the Tercel L40 was exclusively available in two body versions with all-wheel drive in Asia. Compared to its predecessor the inner look and feel was designed significantly higher quality. The SOHC 4E -FE 1.3 liter with 58 kW ( 79 hp) was offered only in the base model VE with 4- speed manual or 3- speed automatic transmission. An anti -lock braking system for the 1.5 liter engine was optionally available with the VS / VX versions and standard in the highest equipment version VZ. The power transmission in these engines was carried out with 5-speed manual or 4 - speed automatic transmission. In Europe there was the model again no more, the name Tercel was introduced in 1990 but in the here Toyota Sprinter Carib II concomitantly, this was here Toyota Corolla Tercel 4WD. In North America, this was marketed as Corolla alltrac. There, the Tercel L40 series launched in January 1990. However, only the sedan and a coupe was available exclusively in turn, parallel to based on the Tercel L40 sports coupe Toyota Paseo. The Tercel L40 was available in North America only with the 1.5 liter petrol engine, unlike the Japanese sedan had different tail lights and the look and feel of the interior was simpler. Body-colored bumpers, hub caps and 2/3 folding rear seats were available in the DX versions of standard equipment and optional for the base model LE. This also had to make do again only with standard 4- speed manual transmission or the buyers chose the optional 5-speed manual or 4 - speed automatic transmission.

• In Chile, the Tercel was sedan 1991 with the SOHC 2E -FE 1.3-liter carburettor petrol engine with 58 kW ( 79 PS) as a Corolla Tercel introduced with tachometer and four spoke steering wheel. The success was moderate due to the Corolla name and the high strike price.

• In September 1992, he was a minor facelift with new front and rear bumpers and the introduction of a driver's airbag. The 1.5 liter petrol engine now had electronically controlled fuel injection. In Canada, this version was introduced in parallel with high quality equipment due to the tightened stricter emission standards and as a replacement of the leaking there Crolla E90. The Tercel was there then a great sales success. In the U.S., the changes were included along with the standard introduction of ABS from 1993.

• Without major changes in the Tercel L40 was produced to August 1994, only the air conditioning was in early 1994, a CFC- free refrigerant.

Corsa Tercel

L50 5th generation (1994-2000 )

Tercel Sedan

In September 1994, the Tercel L50 was introduced worldwide. The chassis corresponded to the predecessor, the bodies but were redesigned and warp resistant. In Japan, the sedan Toyota Corolla II and the hatchback was called again now only Toyota Corsa. The instrument panel was installed as the Toyota Starlet and Toyota Paseo. Re- exclusive in North America, there was a coupe version, while the hatchback was not available there. There, the Tercel was also one of the few cars that possessed an OBD II connector for fault. In its home market, the base model was now called Joinus, also ranked Avenue and VX and there optional all-wheel drive was available once again. In addition to ABS and driver's airbag, a passenger airbag counted all the standard equipment, only in Canada this was only available as an option in the base model. As a further improved safety features three-point safety belts now were used. For Central and South America, the Tercel has now been installed yet in Jhongli Taiwan with the 1.3 liter 2E -FE petrol engine with 58 kW ( 79 PS), in the other markets of equal strength 4E -FE with fuel injection. Even the 1453 cc 1N - T turbo diesel with 49 kW (67 hp) was exclusively in Japan, again available, while the 1.5 liter petrol engine 5E -FE was a revised version of its predecessor and now with 69 kW ( 94 hp ) 13 % more torque and a lowered fuel consumption by 15% had. In some markets and in the domestic market, it was also available with 70 kW (95 hp). As before, there was the 1.3-liter engines in North America and not only with a 4- speed manual or 3- speed automatic transmission and 1.5 -liter engines with 5-speed manual or 4 - speed automatic transmission.

• In Chile, the fifth generation was introduced in September 1995 with a 70 kW ( 95 hp ) version of the 5E -FE 1.5 L petrol engine and was elected Car of the Year in Chile. By the end of production he was there the second best selling car.

• A facelift occurred in December 1997, with rotary instead of sliders ventilation, revised seat upholstery and door panels, automatic instead of manual air conditioning and an improved ignition system for all gasoline engines.

Externally, the front was redesigned with new headlights, a new grille and front bumper. In addition, there was now clear light indicators front. Also the rear received new taillights and bumpers. Thus, the series was now longer and wider.

• In mid-1998 the Tercel models were replaced in the U.S. by the Toyota Echo.

• End of 1998, sparked in Japan where Toyota place called echo the Tercel sedan Corolla II from.

Everywhere the Toyota Echo and / or Toyota Vitz was the successor model.

Tercel Hatchback / Toyota Corsa

Sedan facelift

Toyota Corsa Facelift

Toyota Soluna 1995-2002

As Soluna, the Tercel was marketed L50 sedan with the other front in Asia outside Japan. It was built in Thailand and Indonesia. The drive came here the 1.5 liter 5A -FE petrol engine used. In particular, as a taxi was the Soluna in these two countries widespread. 2002 was replaced by the Toyota Soluna Vios.