TOYOTA STARLET UNDERGOES FULL-MODEL CHANGE

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION announced that its small passenger car, the new Starlet, will be released on the domestic market October 1.

The new Starlet is a two-box car developed along an entirely new concept of the basic "High Compact and Sporty" theme. The new Starlet is Toyota's response to the growing demand in the popular and rapidly diversifying two-box car market for cars with individuality, high performance, and fuel efficiency.

The external appearance of the new Starlet features the smooth egg-shaped "Oval Flush Form" that wraps the spacious cabin and the compact engine compartment in flowing curves. This, together with a wide tread, achieves fine aerodynamic characteristics. These features also provide a sporty and functional style.

The 2E-12-valve engine (3-valves per cylinder x 4 cylinders) is a new engine that was developed exclusively for the new Starlet. Toyota's unique 3-valve cylinder design means efficient air intake, and the twin squish-type combustion chamber means efficient combustion. The new engine boasts the lowest fuel consumption figures among popular-size cars as well as outstanding performance for its class.

Other major features such as FWD (front-wheel drive) and a fine-tuned suspension give the new Starlet top-ranking performance in cabin comfort, handling and driving stability among popular-size two-box cars.

The cabin is 30 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 60 mm higher compared to previous model, making the most of the FWD design and creating a comfortably spacious cabin.

The luggage area is larger, too, because the fuel tank has been located under the rear seat to lower the luggage compartment floor by 70 mm.

Introduced below are the new Starlet's main features

Engine

The new Starlet is powered by the compact, lightweight 2E-12-valve engine or the 2E-12-valve EFI engine, both developed to ensure high performance and low fuel consumption. A number of advanced technologies have been incorporated, such as a SOHC cross-flow and dual-intake 3-valve cylinder design (two intake and one exhaust) and a twin squish-type combustion chamber, to guarantee efficient air intake and combustion.

1. The 2E-12-valve engine achieves both high power output and low fuel consumption with the four-cylinder 12-valve design and the V-type carburetor^*1.
   • The 2E-LU engine, equipped with the partial lean combustion system^*2, has a helical port in the main intake that enhances combustion efficiency to achieve the lowest fuel consumption figures in the popular passenger car class23.0km/liter in the 10-mode test (4-speed manual transmission) by MOT (Ministry of Transport) and 33.0km/liter in the 60km/h constant-speed test (4-speed manual transmission) over a set course reported to MOT by the manufacturer.
   • The 2E-LJ engine for the Starlet Van version has achieved the lowest fuel consumption record among popular commercial vehicles26.0km/liter in the 60km/h constant-speed test (4-speed manual transmission) over a set course reported to MOT by the manufacturer.
2. The 2E-12-valve EFI engine incorporates the electronically controlled fuel injection system called "EFI-D" and the microcomputer-controlled combustion system called "TCCS" (Toyota Computer Controlled System) to ensure air intake efficiency. As a result, it has achieved top performance and excellent fuel efficiency for its classmaximum power output is 93ps (at 6,200rpm) and fuel consumption is 17.0km/liter in the 10-mode MOT test (5-speed manual transmission).

^*1 V-type carburetor

This is an advanced carburetor with various improvements, such as optimizing the shape of the venturi, added to the former variable venturi-type carburetor, whose area changes depending on how much the accelerator is depressed. Its features include greater power output, quicker response, and more precise control of the air-fuel ratio.

^*2 The partial lean combustion system

This system ensures complete combustion of air fuel ratios around 19 during low load drive. It improves fuel efficiency through use of efficient twin squish-type combustion chambers and helical ports.

Suspension

The front wheel MacPherson strut suspension with an L-shaped lower arm provides outstanding handling, driving stability and riding comfort. The rear suspension is the newly developed trailing twist-beam type that guarantees excellent cornering performance. As a result, the handling, driving stability and riding comfort of the new Starlet have been greatly enhanced.

The suspension's anti-dive and anti-lift geometry contributes to minimizing changes in the vehicle's attitude during acceleration and deceleration.

Steering

The new Starlet's variable power steering is regulated by engine rpm, so driving always requires only a minimum steering effort.

Brakes and tires

The sporty model features front ventilated-disc brakes and low-profile tires for responsive handling and driving stability.