Toyota Chaser
| Toyota Chaser | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Production | 1977–2001 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout |
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related |
Toyota Cressida Toyota Mark II Toyota Cresta |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3T, 18R, 1G-EU, 1G-GE, 1G-GTE, 1JZ-GTE, 1JZ-GE, 2JZ-GE |
| Transmission | R154 man, A341 auto |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Toyota Verossa |
The Toyota Chaser is a mid-size car produced by the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. Most are 4-door sedans, with the 2-door coupe discontinued after the first generation. It was introduced on the 1976 Toyota Mark II platform, and was sold new by Toyota at Toyota Vista Store dealerships only in Japan, together with the Toyota Cresta.
The Toyota Chaser has been known as one of the 'triplet sedans' of Toyota, because it shares the same chassis with the Toyota Cressida/Mark II, and the Cresta, and afforded Toyota the opportunity to sell one platform at two different dealership sales channels. Most of the models use double wishbone suspension with coil springs, especially beginning with the X81 series. The Chaser and its platform sisters are considered a rung below the Crown, allowing Toyota to offer a sedan with similar levels of luxury content, yet offering buyers lower tax liability and a more sporty image with a slightly smaller body length, powered by the 2.5-litre 1-JZ engine. The Chaser initially was the competitor to the Nissan Skyline coupe and sedan.
The Chaser was first produced in July 1977 with chassis codes X30, X31, X40 and X41. They were powered by the 4-cylinder 1.8 L 3T-U, 4-cylinder 2.0 L 18R-U and 6-cylinder 2.0 L M-U/M-EU engines – all single cam engines tuned for economy rather than performance. All models were listed as typical of larger Toyota sedans. In order to provide buyers with a luxury sports sedan, but not incur tax consequences for exceeding dimension regulations, the vehicle was limited to an engine size at 2000 cc as well as dimensions under 4.7 m (15.4 ft) long, 1.7 m (5.6 ft) wide, and 2 m (6.6 ft) high. Engine displacement of 1.8L and 2.0L were offered to keep the annual road tax bill affordable to Japanese buyers. The Chaser was offered as a competitor to the Nissan Skyline coupe and sedan.
Production swapped to the X51 and X61 Chaser in 1980, with the addition of the 6-cylinder 2.0 L 1G-EU (single cam) and 1G-GE (twincam) engines. Body styles offered were a four-door sedan and 4-door hardtop, no longer offering the 2-door hardtop with this generation. The "Avante" trim level had a sport tuned suspension using Michelin tires. This generation saw a new competitor from Nissan called the Nissan Leopard with a lower asking price in comparison to the Japanese market favorite, the Skyline.
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