Minor Changes for Small Toyota Cars Vista and CamryJapan's First FWD Car with Twin Cam Engine

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION today announced minor changes in its high-class Vista and Camry small passenger car models including the first availability of a twin cam engine in a Japanese FWD (front-wheel drive) car. This engine is the newly developed 3S Twin Cam 16 (3S-GELU type, four-cylinder DOHC 1,998cc).

1. Style

   • Adoption of a larger front bumper, non-standard, horizontally aligned headlights, new design front grille and rear combination lamp and other touches add further accents of contemporary luxury.
   • The twin cam engine models are equipped with air spoilers (front and rear) to improve aerodynamics and enhance their exciting, high-performance image.

2. Interior

   • The quality of seat fabric used in all models has been upgraded, for an added feel of luxury and improved appearance. Seat configuration has also been improved in the move to enhance body-holding characteristics.
   • The design of the door trim, instrument panel, steering wheel and other components has been changed for a new and improved sense of quality. Switches and knobs are repositioned and other human-engineered touches added for greater luxury, convenience and safety.

3. Engine and Transmission

   • The 3S Twin Cam 16 and 1 S-Ci-F F engines added to the line offer enhanced performance and outstanding fuel efficiency.
   • On the 2000 and 2000 twin cam model automatic transmissions, besides the usual "economy" and "power" modes, a "manual" mode has been added with ECT-S used to allow the driver to adjust to all road conditions. (Available on 2000 models with ECT.)

   1. 3S Twin Cam 16
      • Using the 2S-FF (2S-ELU type four-cylinder OHC 1,995cc) engine as the base, bore-stroke ratio and all other elements have been modified to create a four-valve-per-cylinder twin cam engine. This move to four-valve twin cam configuration opens the door to vastly improved performance. The adoption of T-VIS^*1, TCCS^*2 and other systems maintains solid low-speed torque, making this engine a pleasure to use at all speeds. And, in the quest to further heighten engine response, Program Independent Injection^*3 has been added for variable fuel injection timing.
      • Maximum output of 160 hp/6,400 rpm and maximum torque of 19.0 kg-m/4,800 rpm lift power to the upper levels for a domestic four-cylinder non-turbo twin cam engine car. This is even more impressive when considering the outstanding fuel economy performance figure of 12.0 km/liter in 10-mode tests (five-speed manual transmission; the Ministry of Transport value), completing the fine balance of power and economy.
      • This new offering brings the total number of Toyota twin cam engines to five.

Notes

^*1 T-VIS (Toyota Variable Induction System). Two independent passages are provided for each cylinder in the intake manifold, with an intake control valve installed in one of the two passages. By regulating the intake control valve opening according to engine speed, this mechanism assures unique high power at high speeds together with improved performance at low and medium speeds.

^*2 TCCS (Toyota Computer-Controlled System). A comprehensive, high-precision system using a microcomputer to control the engine, drive train, brakes and other key components.

^*3A fuel injection system in which a microcomputer programs fuel injection amount and timing, responding to driving conditions to send the proper amount of fuel to each cylinder independently.

2. (1 S-Ci-F F)

   With the 1S-FF (1S-LU type, four-cylinder, OHC 1,832cc) engine as the base, electronically controlled fuel injection device Ci (central injection)^*4, swirl control valve with helical ports^*5 and other improvements were added to improve both power and fuel efficiency. Fuel economy is particularly fine, with the 14.8 km/liter in 10-mode tests (five-speed manual transmission; MOT inspection value), an outstanding figure for a 1800cc class car.

Notes

^*4A microcomputer-controlled injector functions in place of a carburetor and supplies to the engine with computer precision the air-fuel mixture most appropriate for the particular driving conditions, to improve both fuel efficiency and power output.

^*5Helical swirl ports with SCV (Swirl Control Valve). This innovative system uses a special valve to control flow through intake ports. At low speeds the swirl is more intense for greater fuel efficiency; at higher speeds and with heavier engine loads swirl becomes less to increase power.

4. New Equipment

   1. An enhanced monitoring system, showing 10 different types of information including driving distance, average speed, date, time, birthday reminders and so forth.
   2. Automatic headlight cutoff system automatically turns the headlights off when the ignition is turned off and door is opened.
   3. Key-off power windows makes it possible to open or close the windows by electric power even when the ignition is turned off.
   4. All doors are locked or unlocked automatically by electric interlocking between the driver's door and all the other doors.
   5. Key reminder system prevents locking door while the key is still in the ignition.
   6. Tilt steering offers vertical adjustment of up to 40 mm.
   7. Mounting of low-profile 195/60R14 with superb handling and stability characteristics on fashionable aluminum wheels.
   8. Foot-pedal parking brake is easier to operate and safer, while allowing a larger center console.
   9. Electric remote control mirror also folds down when entering garages or other cramped areas.

Note

Curb weight is for 5-speed manual models