Jan. 13, 1999

"Vitz"―The New Benchmark for Compacts

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION today began sales of the Vitz, a revolutionary two-box that will set a standard for 21st century mobility.

"The Vitz, which derives its name from the German word 'witz' meaning brilliance or wit, is aptly named; the vehicle is a cornucopia of class-leading innovations," beams Chief Engineer Yasuhiko Ichihashi. Examples include the largest interior space, the smallest turning radius (4.3 m), the lowest drag coefficient (0.30), and the best NVH^* performance in its class. Vitz can accommodate four adults in comfort, in a minimum-sized package that fits perfectly in today's society.

All the basic components of the Vitz―the platform, engine, transmission, and suspension―are completely brand-new. The engine itself is a technological titan. In the one-liter engine class, it is the lightest (68kg), yet still provides top level torque in low-to-medium speed range and the lowest fuel consumption (AT: 20.5 km/L; MT: 22.5 km/L), a boon for the earth.

Despite its compact body, Vitz has a remarkably high level of safety. An increase in speeds during offset and full-lap side collision testing held the Vitz to collision energies 14% to 21% higher than conventional tests. The vehicle comes with ABS^*, dual SRS^* airbags, seats utilizing WIL^* concepts, and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters―all as standard. The Vitz goes on sale today at Netz Toyota dealerships throughout Japan.

^*Notes

(NVH): Noise, Vibration, Harshness

(ABS): Antilock Brake System

(SRS): Supplemental Restraint System

(WlL): Whiplash Injury Lessening

Vitz three-door F (with options)
Vitz five-door F (with options)

Vehicle Overview

The quest for the best package for 21st century mobility

With the priority on occupant space, the goal was to provide a compact body that takes social and traffic environments into consideration, while providing enough space to seat four 190 cm adults (maximum capacity is five occupants). A long wheelbase of 2,370 mm in an overall vehicle length of 3,610 mm, along with an inside height of 1,265 mm, give the Vitz more interior room than any other vehicle in its class.

The ground-to-hip-point height is 580 mm for the front seat and 610 mm for the rear seat. This makes it easy to get in and out naturally. Human engineering factors were applied to ensure a reduced burden on occupants and an easy driving posture; for this reason, the floor-to-hip point height for the front seat was set at 350 mm.

The rear seat, with a 150 mm slide track, has a 6-to-4 division and can be reclined, and also has a double folding action. This makes it possible to configure the space flexibly according to the number of occupants or the amount of luggage (available on U grade models).

While ensuring plenty of space for occupants, the overall height of 1,500 mm reflects aerodynamic considerations. There is plenty of luggage space, and the engine room is compact, reflecting a focus on minimizing the overall length. At 1,660 mm, the width is large relative to the length. The result is a rational "short & tall" package.

Vitz has a class-leading minimum turning radius of 4.3 m. It has two body configurations, a three-door and a five-door with an eye-catching two-box exterior and an advanced, utility-oriented interior.

Exterior

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.

Interior

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.

Equipped for Comfort

The air conditioner has rounded switches and vents. Clean air filters that also remove pollen are standard on all models. The U grade employs a new type of automatic air conditioner that centralizes control of cabin temperature, blower mode and flow rate.

Stow spaces are provided above and at each side of the center cluster, and close by the driver's knee. Cup holders can be used at the front and back of the console, and the glove box is divided vertically into two sections for increased functionality.

A tilt steering column and an anti-glare inside mirror are standard on all models. F grade models with the D package specification and all U grade models are equipped with a CD/cassette player that includes an AM/FM radio with electronic tuning, all integrated into the center cluster.

Powerful performance

To pack a class-leading level of basic performance into a compact size, the engine, transmission, and suspension were all created anew. In addition, the Vitz features a lightweight, high-rigidity body. The result is excellent acceleration, quietness, and handling.

Engine

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.

Suspension

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.

Transmission

Automatic Transmission

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.

Manual transmission

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

Quietness

The high-rigidity cast-iron cylinder block and high-rigidity crankshaft reduce noise and vibration sources.

A supercomputer was used to analyze the connections of the body frame members, panel construction, and weld points, which helps the Vitz to achieve a high level NVH performance with a lightweight body.

The paneling curving down to the front floor and the strategic placement of soundproofing materials give the Vitz a class-leading level of NVH performance.

Environmental considerations

Reducing carbon dioxide and achieving cleaner emissions

With carbon dioxide being a causative factor in global warming, one focus has been placed on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Vitz has therefore been given a newly-designed engine and transmission, its weight has been substantially reduced, and the drag coefficient decreased, resulting in a fuel consumption or 20.5 km/L in the case of an automatic configuration (10-15 mode), and 22.5 km/L in the case of a manual configuration (10-15 mode). In each case, these are the leading fuel consumption figures in the one-liter class.

To reduce emissions, the catalytic converter is located under the oil pan.: 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.

Saving and recycling of resources

By focusing on achieving a minimum body size and using basic components that were newly developed with compactness in mind, a vehicle weight of less than 900kg was attained while still ensuring a high-strength, high-rigidity body, also reflecting the aim of saving resources.

The highly recyclable TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer) is used for the front and rear bumpers, instrument panel, center cluster, pillar garnish, and other fittings inside and out. The bumpers also have a vertically divided structure that helps to reduce repair costs.

Shredder dust produced during shredding of old cars is used to form recycled sound-proof products (RSPP) such as dash silencers and floor silencers.

The removal of engine oil and coolant has been made easier, and it has also been made easier to dismantle wiring harnesses, seats, engine undercover, and other such parts. As well, the radiator, heater core, and wiring harness sheathing all use lead-free parts and materials.

World Leading Safety levels in its Class

The compact size of the Vitz has been combined with advanced safety technology. The Toyota Passive Safety Body (GOA) meets all safety standards, with offset and full-lap front and side collision testing conducted at higher speeds than before, and the Vitz body has also been fully tested for safety in rear collisions. Thus, the vehicle offers increased performance in terms of both active and passive safety.

Active safety

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.

Passive safety

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.

Euro Sports Edition

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.