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Toyota Sprinter Trueno 1.5 i (105 Hp)
Overall Rating
Toyota Sprinter:
The Toyota Sprinter is a compact car manufactured by Toyota as a variant of the Corolla. Exclusively sold in the Japanese domestic market, the Sprinter was aimed to be sportier than its Corolla sibling and also using different sheet metal mostly on the C-pillar. The Sprinter was exclusive to Toyota Auto Store, while the Corolla is similarly unique to Toyota Corolla Store. In 1998 Toyota Auto Store was replaced by Netz Store.
The Sprinter is notable for being used as the base vehicle for two joint projects between Toyota and General Motors in the United States, known under GM as the S-car. From 1984 to 1997, variants of the Sprinter were manufactured by NUMMI in Fremont, California, known as the Chevrolet Nova and Geo Prizm....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Trueno Overview:
Toyota Sprinter (Trueno). With 127 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1030 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE111) was primarily a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) model and was not officially tested by Euro NCAP. Safety features were standard for its era but would not meet modern crash safety standards.
1.5 i (105 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
A surprisingly peppy 1.5-liter engine, offering a good balance of responsiveness and efficiency, making it enjoyable for daily driving with occasional spirited moments.
Fuel Economy
Excellent fuel economy for its power output, providing a very economical option for those seeking a balance of performance and low running costs.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Legendary 4A-GE 'Blacktop' engine performance (165 Hp trim)
- • Excellent Toyota reliability across the lineup
- • Sporty handling and engaging driving dynamics
- • Classic JDM coupe styling with pop-up headlights (earlier models) or sleek fixed lights (later models)
- • Good fuel economy on lower-powered trims
Cons:
- • Base engines lack excitement and can feel underpowered
- • Interior can feel dated by modern standards, with basic materials
- • Limited rear passenger and cargo space typical of a compact coupe
- • Not officially crash-tested by Euro NCAP, safety features are basic for its era
- • Finding parts for specific JDM models can be challenging outside Japan
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Marino: 1992 - 1997).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Toyota |
| Model: | Sprinter |
| Generation: | Trueno |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.5 i (105 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1995 |
| End of production: | 2002 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 105 Hp @ 6400 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 70.1 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 127 Nm @ 3200 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 1497 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 74 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 87 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.4:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 9.8 kg/Hp, 101.9 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.1 kg/Nm, 123.3 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1030 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 50 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4300 mm mm [85mm less] |
| Width: | 1695 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1305 mm mm [10mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2465 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1470 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1460 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
If you could change one thing about the Toyota Sprinter, what would it be?