"Vitz"―The New Benchmark for Compacts

The solid hood, stable front pillar, and tires emphasize the vehicle's strong presence. While achieving a compact size, the taut surface provides a look of quality that surpasses other vehicles in the class.

Despite the "short & tall" form, the strongly drawn-in rear quarters, richly curved body contours and flat underfloor provides a class-leading drag coefficient of Cd = 0.30.

Vehicle occupants feel as though enveloped by the interior. Moreover, the molded shape runs in an unbroken line from the instrument panel to the door trim, emphasizing the feeling of breadth.

The generous yet simple lines of the seats, with their high-quality seat covers and two-tone motif, enhance the bright, cheerful image of the interior.

On the instrument panel, the center meter (digital or analog) provides enhanced visibility, and the easy-to-operate switches and stow spaces also demonstrate special attention to practicality.

The engine is an in-line 4-cylinder one-liter BEAMS ISZ-FE type. Heat efficiency was improved by using a more compact combustion chamber and VVT-i. Intake and exhaust efficiency have been improved by using an isometric intake manifold made of resin and a long exhaust manifold made of stainless steel pipes. Together with the use of crankshaft offset and other features to decrease friction loss all-round, the result is a level of torque in low-to-medium speed ranges that tops the class for one-liter engines, and a low fuel consumption that also leads the one-liter class.

By utilizing high-grade casting methods on the cylinder block with higher dimensional and positional accuracies, Toyota engineers were able to reduce the bore pitch and make thinner walls. In addition, the use of resin and stainless steel pipes in the intake and exhaust systems result in an engine weight of 68kg, the lightest for a one-liter in-line four-cylinder type. This lightness also contributes to road performance and helps to lower fuel consumption.

The front suspension uses McPherson struts with a steering gear sub-frame. The rear suspension features an optimized-geometry ETA beam with toe-control function. A fully adequate wheel stroke, front and rear, results in a flat, comfortable ride, and excellent handling and road-holding.

The tire turning angle of the front suspension helps to reduce the minimum turning radius and give the Vitz the best control in its class.

The underslung coil springs of the rear suspension keep the height down and make it possible to provide a low, flat and wide luggage space.

The new model employs a light, compact Super ECT specially developed for one-liter vehicles. The compact, high-efficiency torque converter and low-friction mechanism greatly boost transmission efficiency. The Flex Lock-Up system greatly contributes to the Vitz's class-leading level of low fuel consumption. The high-precision clutch hydraulic control system provides smooth, responsive shift quality.

The manual transmission is a newly-developed light, compact five-speed unit with a positive, solid, short-stroke shift action.

This enables the catalyst to be warmed, and also helps to extend its life. Moreover, each cylinder has an independently controlled fuel injection which, together with the use of the VVT-i system, has made it possible to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrous oxides by at least 70% below current Japanese regulation levels, even after 80,000 km of driving (using tests based on Toyota's own measurement modes). The vehicle also meets new emissions regulations scheduled to go into effect from October 2000.

The center meter is located in the upper center part of the instrument panel, making it easier for the driver to see with little eye movement. A digital "Space Vision" center meter is provided on D package F grade models and on U grades. Space Vision employs virtual images to make the display position appear farther away, for easier focusing. Good visibility is also ensured by the high hip-point of the seats, and by the upright seating posture.

The new model provides further enhanced basic capabilities―running, turning, and stopping. In addition to the good running stability and outstanding emergency evasion mobility, ABS and brake assist systems are fitted as standard on all models.

The vehicle's body uses a newly designed platform To help ensure its safety performance in crashes with heavier vehicles and at higher speeds, the body was subjected to a 40%-lap offset frontal collision testing at 64 km/h, which involves an increase in collision energy of around 14% compared to the previous test speed of 60 km/h. Full-lap front and side collision testing was also conducted at 55 km/h, representing an increase in energy of some 21% compared to the previous test speed of 50 km/h. The body easily passed a full-lap rear collision test at 50 km/h and Toyota's own 50% full-lap offset rear collision test at 55 km/h, confirming that the body could withstand such impacts without leakage of fuel and without compromising cabin integrity.

Pillars and roof side rails are internally ribbed to help absorb the energy of a collision, and are at the same level as U.S. vehicle crash safety standards for protecting occupants against head injuries.

Underbody and anchor-point configuration were devised so that in the event of a frontal collision, occupants',legs are protected from injury by controlling the degree to which the brake pedal intrudes into the cabin.

Front seatbelts equipped with pretensioners and force limiters, dual supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, and indicator lights that flash when someone has not fastened a seatbelt are standard on all models.

Rear seats have reinforced seat-back frames, hinges, and locks to help protect occupants from loads in the rear luggage space being thrown forward in a frontal collision.

The front seats incorporate Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) concepts designed to help protect the occupants' necks from the whiplash effect of a collision.

This model has Euro-tuned suspension that place more emphasis on controllability and running stability at high speeds, and a special body color used only for Europe.

Front and rear suspensions are equipped with stabilizers. Front suspension attachment points are provided with braces to enhance the rigidity of the body, and spats are placed in front of the front and rear tires to enhance high-speed straight-line stability. Absorbers, bushes, springs and other such constituent components are all specially tuned for a European feel. 175/65R14 tires and aluminum wheels are used in this version of Vitz. Black mica panel color as well as a plated grill is specifically used for the European specifications. Manual transmission vehicles also feature a special enlarged shift lever knob.