Toyota Chaser

Toyota Chaser
Production period:	1977-2000
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	limousine
Successor:	Toyota Verossa

The Toyota Chaser is a notchback sedan of the upper midrange that of Toyota in Japan was produced from 1977 to 2000. It was based on the Toyota Corona Mark II (later Toyota Mark II ) platform and was only available in Japan. The Chaser was known as one of Toyota's "triplets" or "quadruplets" because it shares the same floor pan as the Corona Mark II, Cressida and Cresta models . Most models have double wishbones and coil springs, especially from the X81 series. The Chaser and its sister models are ranked one step below the Crown , but have a sportier image with their slightly lower bodies and more powerful engines (most 2.5L Toyotas are powered by the 1JZ engine). The Nissan Skyline was the competition model for the Chaser .

1st generation (1977–1980)

X30 / X40
Toyota Chaser, 1st generation
Production period:	1977-1980
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8–2.0 liters (70–92 kW)
Length:	4530 mm
Width:	1670 mm
Height:	1415 mm
Wheelbase :	2645 mm
Empty weight :	1185 kg

The first chaser appeared in July 1977 with the chassis designations X30, X31, X40 and X41. A 1.8 l four-cylinder in-line engine (3T-U), a 2.0 l engine (18R-U) and two 2.0 l six-cylinder in-line engines (MU and M-EU) served as drive - all machines with an overhead camshaft that were designed for economy rather than high performance. All of these models were typical large Toyota sedans.

2nd generation (1980–1984)

X60
Toyota Chaser, 2nd generation
Production period:	1980-1984
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–2.8 liters (70–118 kW) Diesel engines : 2.2–2.4 liters (53–71 kW)
Length:	4530 mm
Width:	1680 mm
Height:	1390 mm
Wheelbase :	2645 mm
Empty weight :	1190 kg

In 1980 the new chaser with the chassis designations X51 and X61 was presented. New were two 2.0 l six-cylinder in-line engines, the 1G-EU with one overhead camshaft and the 1G-GE with two overhead camshafts.

3rd generation (1984–1988)

X70
Toyota Chaser (GX71)
Production period:	1984-1988
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–2.8 liters (70–118 kW) Diesel engines : 2.2–2.4 liters (53–71 kW)
Length:	4630 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1385 mm
Wheelbase :	2660 mm
Empty weight :	1300 kg

The somewhat angular, but nonetheless elegantly drawn, X70 appeared in 1984.

4th generation (1989–1992)

X80
Toyota Chaser (1990)
Production period:	1989-1992
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–3.0 liters (? –206 kW) Diesel engine : 2.4 liters (71 kW)
Length:	4690 mm
Width:	1695 mm
Height:	1375 mm
Wheelbase :	2680 mm
Empty weight :	1480 kg

In 1989 the X81 series chaser was introduced to the Japanese market. The model names were: XL, XG, Raffine, SXL, Avante, Avante Twin Cam 24, GT Twin Turbo and Avante G. The GT Twin Turbo was the most powerful variant with a 1G GTE engine of 210 bhp (154 kW) at 6,200 rpm ⁻¹ performed. The Avante G variant was best equipped. In August 1989, two new models were added to the Avante range: the Avante GL, an even more luxurious model than the Avante G (which was already very well equipped for the time), and the new Avante G with a 3.0 l R6 -Suction engine (7M-GE), which replaced the turbo engine 1G-GZE of the old model.

In August 1990 the entire Chaser series was fundamentally revised, and some models got new engines. The most expensive models Avante G and GT Twin Turbo got the 1JZ engine, which also powered the JZA70 model of the contemporary Supra sports car , but the Avante G with the 3.0 l R6 engine was still built. The Avante G 2.5 got the suction motor 1JZ-GE, of 180 bhp (132 kW) at 6000 min ^-1 made, and the GT Twin Turbo got the powerful, turbo charged engine 1JZ-GTE with two turbochargers, the 280 hp (206 kW) at 6,200 min ^-1 gave (the highest was legal in Japan). Both models were only available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

5th generation (1992–1996)

X90
Toyota Chaser (1992)
Production period:	1992-1996
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8-3.0 liters (? -? KW ) Diesel engines : 2.4 liters (71 kW)
Length:	4750 mm
Width:	1750 mm
Height:	1390-1405 mm
Wheelbase :	2730 mm
Empty weight :

In October 1992 the X90 series replaced the old X81 series chaser. It offered a more spacious body, better driving characteristics and higher engine performance. The body was more rounded and much longer. Most of the model range was taken over from its predecessor, only the GT Twin Turbo was replaced by the Tourer V. The top model Avante G was powered by a 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated engine with 220 bhp (162 kW), a further developed engine of the JZ series (the most powerful of this evolutionary stage was the 2JZ-GTE with two turbochargers, which powered the Supra JZA80, which was installed in the came out the same year). The Tourer V took over the 1JZ-GTE engine from the GT Twin Turbo. There was also a manual version of the Tourer V, which went particularly well with the sporty characteristics of the vehicle, and a Tourer S, basically a Tourer V without a turbocharger. In September 1992, all Tourer models received an improved equipment, which, however, was still a step below that of the Avante G; therefore the sales prices also rose.

After the Cressida was discontinued with the X81 generation, only the Mark II, the Chaser and the Cresta were offered on the Japanese market. Each member of this family offered a different design: the Chaser was intended more for sporty drivers, the Mark II was more luxuriously equipped and the Cresta was the basic model, although the models at the front and rear (the Cresta also at the doors) clearly differ distinguished.

6th generation (1996-2000)

X100
Toyota Chaser (1998, after facelift)
Production period:	1996-2000
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–3.0 liters (88–162 kW) Diesel engine : 2.4 liters (71 kW)
Length:	4715 mm
Width:	1755 mm
Height:	1400 mm
Wheelbase :	2730 mm
Empty weight :	1290-1490 kg

In September 1996 the Chaser X90 was replaced by the new X100 model. At that time the chaser had become even more athletic; for many, this generation is the definitive chaser with the best looks. The range consisted mainly of Avante and Tourer models, with the Avante being the luxury versions (with better interiors) and the Tourers being the sport versions (with large 16 ″ wheels). Toyota built the VVTi system, the manufacturer's variable valve control, into its 1JZ engines and, in addition, the engines were trimmed for more torque, as they had already reached the maximum output permitted in Japan. The 1JZ-GTE now had a single turbocharger instead of the two from its predecessor. The Avante Four and Avante Four G models were new on offer (both Avante 2.5 l with permanent all-wheel drive ). These cars were only available with a four-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission. The Tourer V and the Avante G 3.0 l model, which is only available with automatic transmission, were optionally available with self-locking differentials in connection with the four-stage automatic (ECT-iE), while the cheaper models only had the normal automatic (ECT-E).

In 1997, the model range remained largely unchanged, only the basic Tourer 2.0 l model was added. This touring was driven by the 1G-FE engine, the 140 hp (103 kW) at 5600 min ^-1 made. He also had the simple four-stage automatic ECT.

In 1998, this basic model received a manual transmission and all-wheel drive from the Avante models on request, the Avante Four S was delivered as a special model with improved interior equipment. The entire Chaser series received a facelift ; the most noticeable change was new taillights. In addition, there were new fog lights in a slightly modified vehicle front, different upholstery materials on the inside, a three-spoke steering wheel instead of the previous four-spoke steering wheel, orange instead of the previously white instrument lighting and a radiator grille with two instead of three cross bars.

At the end of 2000, Toyota stopped manufacturing the Chaser. The new model in this class was called Verossa and received the same model code as the Chaser. The Cresta suffered the same fate, only the Mark II was built in a further generation (X110). In 2004 the newly developed Mark X X120 was presented in Japan, which combined many features of the earlier models Chaser, Mark II and Cresta. The Mark X was created to combine these three model series in one.

Toyota Chaser on the racetrack

Although the Chaser X100 competed in the Japanese Touring Car Championship in the 1990s, its front-engined and rear-wheel drive design made it more popular in drifting races. Several Toyota Chasers of the X90 and X100 generations have been converted for drifting races. Some versions of the chaser have also been fundamentally rebuilt for participation in the Super Battle series in Japan.

Web links

Commons : Toyota Chaser  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files