Cars - Toyota Tercel

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	Cars - Toyota Tercel

The Tercel was Toyota's entry-level vehicle during the 1980s and 1990s. The Tercel was slotted below the Corolla, and was meant to offer basic affordable transportation while introducing young buyers to the Toyota brand. The Tercel was redesigned several times over its twenty year run. The Tercel was produced as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan, 4-door wagon, and hatchback versions in three and five-door versions. By 1991, only the coupe and sedan were offered. 1999 was the last year the Tercel was produced; rising sticker prices versus the anemic mechanical offerings decimated Tercel sales in the US. The Tercel was replaced by the Echo in 2000. The Tercel is built on the same platform as the Toyota Paseo, and the Toyota Starlet, hence many parts (including the engines) are interchangeble.

The name "Tercel" comes from the Latin word for "one third", and all Tercels were built at the Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Japan.

First generation (1978-1982)

The Tercel was introduced in Japan in 1978 and introduced to the United States in 1980; it was the first front wheel drive vehicle ever produced by the automaker. Named the Corolla Tercel, it was intended that the Corolla image - long known for quality and durability - would bring buyers to the new model. The Tercel's front wheel drive design ensured that the vehicle delivered maximum interior space in a small package. It was originally sold as either a two-door coupe or three-door hatchback, with each model powered by a 1.5 L SOHC four-cylinder engine producing 60 hp. Transmission choices were either a four or five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.

The new front wheel drive design in the Tercel did not have the engine transversely mounted. The engine was mounted longitudally, such that the transmission was mounted under the floorpan, standard in a rear wheel drive car. Unlike a rear wheel drive car, the transmission had a ring and pinion gear on the front part of the transmission, underneath the engine. Halfshafts then extended from the transmission to the front wheels.

For 1981, the Corolla Tercel received a new 62 hp Toyota A engine for improved drivability and lower emissions. Choice of bodystyles increased as well, with the addition of a four-door sedan.

Second generation (1983-1986)

In 1983, a full redesign took place. As well as significant body, styling and interior changes, the vehicle also received a new name. Sales successes no longer necessitated the Corolla name association, and the vehicle was officially called the "Tercel" from that point onward. The second generation Tercel was available in three or five-door hatchback models or a four-door station wagon. The station wagon was also available with either front or four wheel drive. In four wheel drive trim, the vehicle was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and could be shifted from two to four wheel drive without coming to a stop. The sixth gear it carried was an "Extra Low" first gear, suitable only for very low speed off-road use. Standard front wheel drive vehicles came with either a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The least expensive model, the base three-door, was available with a four-speed manual only.

The new Tercel 4WD was built from existing pieces in the Toyota inventory. The engine, transaxle and front wheel drive system was from the existing Tercel. The coil-sprung rear axle was taken from the Corolla. The only parts that were specially designed for the new Tercel 4WD was the transfer case built into the transmission. Out of the Tercel’s conventional five-speed gears, the power was then sent where ever the driver needed it. There are three different power arrangements. With the lever in the front wheel drive position, the car drove like a normal front wheel drive car. When the driver pulled the lever back into four wheel drive, the power was split in all five forward gears, half going to drive the front wheels and half back to the rear wheels via the rear axle. However, since there was no center differential, the four wheel drive option should only be used off-road. The third power option was low range. By placing the lever in four wheel drive mode and then shifting the five speed gear lever. all that was toward the driver (past first) and up the car was then put into low range EL. All that was toward the driver (past first) and up the car was then put into low range EL, which had a powerful 17.6:1 ratio, compared to the 3.67:1 ratio of first gear and the 4.71:1 ratio of the EL gear.

1985 saw minor changes to gear ratios and the interior was updated in 1986. The Tercel wagon continued the same design until 1988, while the coupe, sedan and hatchbacks moved on to the newer design.

Third generation (1987-1990)

In 1987, the third generation Tercel was introduced. The new Tercel was larger and more luxurious than ever before, but it was still designed and built with ease of use and economy in mind. The main improvement in the Tercel was a new 78 hp I4 engine. Other improvements included revised rack-and-pinion steering and a newly-designed, fully-independent suspension. Regardless, the Tercel continued in its role as Toyota's least expensive vehicle.

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Cars - Toyota Tercel

First generation (1978-1982)

Second generation (1983-1986)

Third generation (1987-1990)

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