Toyota Chaser
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota
Production	1977–2001
Assembly	Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant) (June 1977 - August 1984) Japan: Susono, Shizuoka (Kanto Auto Works) (October 1980 - August 1996) Japan: Miyawaka, Fukuoka (Toyota Motor Kyushu) (April 1994 - June 2001)[1][2][3]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact (1977–1980) Mid-size (1980–2001)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Toyota Mark II/Cressida Toyota Cresta
Chronology
Successor	Toyota Verossa

The Toyota Chaser is a mid-size car produced by Toyota in Japan. Most Chasers are four-door sedans and hardtop sedans; a two-door hardtop coupé was available on the first generation only. It was introduced on the 1976 Toyota Corona 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 several 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 class 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.

1st Generation (X30, X40; 1977)

First Generation (X30, X40)
Toyota Chaser XL2000 sedan
Overview
Production	1977–1980
Assembly	Toyota, Aichi, Japan (Motomachi plant)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door hardtop coupé
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1770 cc 3T-U I4 (TX30) 1770 cc 13T-U I4 (TX40) 1968 cc 18R-U I4 (RX30/31) 1972 cc 21R-C/U I4 (RX40/41) 1988 cc M-U/EU I6 (MX30/40/41)
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,645 mm (104.1 in)
Length	4,500–4,530 mm (177.2–178.3 in)
Width	1,670–1,680 mm (66–66 in)
Height	1,390–1,415 mm (54.7–55.7 in)
Curb weight	1,050–1,175 kg (2,315–2,590 lb)[4]

The Chaser was first produced in July 1977 with chassis codes X30, X31, X40 and X41, and evolved from the X20 generation Mark II GSS hardtop coupe. They were powered by the four-cylinder 1.8-liter 3T-U, 13T-U and 2-liter 18R-U, and the six-cylinder 2.0 L M-U/EU engines – all single cam engines tuned for economy and clean emissions rather than performance. The Chaser is a lightly redesigned Toyota Mark II, with a wider front grille and without parking lights. The Chaser also has taillights of a different design.^[5] Unlike the Mark II, there were no station wagons or commercial models offered.

In order to provide buyers with a luxury sports sedan while minimizing tax consequences, 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 displacements of 1.8 L and 2.0 L were offered to keep the annual road tax bill affordable to Japanese buyers. The Chaser was offered as a competitor to the Nissan Skyline coupé and sedan. The performance image was shared with the Toyota Celica Camry, also introduced at the same time, but at a different Japanese dealership called Toyota Corolla Store.

Toyota Chaser XL2000 sedan (rear)

2nd Generation (X60; 1980)

Second Generation (X60)
Toyota Chaser Avante sedan (GX61)
Overview
Production	October 1980[6] – 1984
Assembly	Toyota, Aichi, Japan (Motomachi plant)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop sedan
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1770 cc 13T-U I4 (TX60) 1832 cc 1S I4 (SX60)[7] 1968 cc 18R-GEU I4 (RX63) 1972 cc 21R-U I4 (RX60) 1988 cc M-TEU turbo I6 (MX61) 1988 cc 1G-EU I6 (GX60/61) 1988 cc 1G-GEU I6 (GX61)[6] Diesel: 2188 cc L I4 (LX60) 2446 cc 2L-TE I4 (LX65)[7]
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (104 in)
Length	4,470 mm (176 in)
Width	1,670 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	1,055–1,220 kg (2,326–2,690 lb)[8]

Production swapped to the X60 Chaser in October 1980,^[6] with the addition of the new 2.0-litre six-cylinder 1G-EU single cam petrol engine and a 2.2 L four-cylinder L-series diesel engine. Body styles offered were a four-door sedan and 4-door hardtop, no longer offering the 2-door hardtop with this generation (replaced by first generation Toyota Soarer). 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. In August 1982, the 2.0 L 6–cylinder 1G-GEU twincam engine was added.^[6]

Toyota Chaser Avante hardtop sedan (GX61, facelift)

3rd Generation (X70; 1984)

Third Generation (X70)
Overview
Production	1984–1988
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	petrol: 1998 cc 3Y-PU I4 (LPG) 1988 cc 1G-GEU I6 1988 cc 1G-GTEU Twin-turbo I6 diesel: 2446 cc 2L I4 2446 cc 2L-T TD I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,680 mm (106 in)
Length	4,690 mm (185 in)
Width	1,690 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,370 mm (54.1 in)
Curb weight	1,230 kg (2,712 lb)[9]

This series first appeared in August 1984. The "Avante" series previously introduced became a luxury upgrade starting with this generation and body styles were reduced again to a 4-door hardtop only. The exterior dimensions of this car were slightly smaller in comparison to sister cars Mark II and Cresta, but the Chaser was more performance oriented, while maintaining the advanced features and luxurious interior of the Cresta. October 1985, Mark II / Cresta 1G-GTEU vehicles equipped with "GT twin turbo" has appeared. Disc brakes are larger in diameter, and was now equipped with bucket seats, but Toyota's TEMS electronic suspension wasn't installed. Only Chaser "GT twin turbo S" 5-speed MT that there was only low-cost upgrades (early types only.)

Minor change in August 1986. The 1G-GEU engine received various improvements, while the LPG-powered engine was changed to the 3Y-PU. As for appearance, larger bumpers and a new front grille accompanied substantial changes to the equipment. The early type rear combination lamps were kept with minor revisions. In January 1987 a special edition "Lordly" was released, in May 1987 the special edition "Chaser Avante" was released. August 1987 brought the "New Extra XG Chaser" special edition. In September 1987 new versions of the 2L and 2L-T diesel engines complying with the 1986 car emissions standards were introduced. January 1988 special edition "Avante Supra" released as a companion to the third-generation Supra. In April 1988 special edition "Extra XG with Auto Air Conditioner" was launched.

4th Generation (X80; 1988)

Fourth Generation (X80)
Overview
Production	1988–1992
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1,838 cc 4S-FE I4 1,988 cc 1G-GTE twin-turbo I6 1,988 cc 1G-GZE s/c I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GE I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo I6 2,954 cc 7M-GE I6 2,446 cc 2L-TE turbo diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,680 mm (106 in)
Length	4,690 mm (185 in)
Width	1,690 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,370 mm (54.1 in)
Curb weight	1,420 kg (3,131 lb)[10]

In August 1988, the X81 series of Chasers were introduced to the Japanese market. The following models were offered: XL, XG, Raffine, SXL, Avante, Avante Twin Cam 24, GT Twin Turbo and Avante G, with the GT Twin Turbo model the most powerful variant, powered by the 1G-GTE engine putting out 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) at 6200 rpm. The Avante G model was the highest special edition model in terms of equipment. In August 1989, two more models were added to the Avante lineup: the Avante G-L, an even more luxurious model of the Avante G (which was already highly equipped for a car of the time), and a new Avante G with a 3.0 L normally aspirated 7M-GE engine replacing the 2.0 L supercharged 1G-GZE from the previous model.

Rear view of Chaser Avante

In August 1990, there were major revisions to the entire Chaser lineup and some of the models received entirely new engines. The top-range models, Avante G and GT Twin Turbo, received the new 2.5 L 1JZ engine, the same type that powered Toyota's contemporary sports car, the JZA70 Supra, although the 3.0 L Avante G remained part of the line. The Avante G 2.5 received a normally aspirated 1JZ-GE engine with a maximum 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) at 6000 rpm, while the GT Twin Turbo received the powerful twin-turbocharged 1JZ-GTE twin turbo engine capable of 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 6200 rpm, the maximum horsepower allowed under Japanese regulations.

5th Generation (X90; 1992)

Fifth Generation (X90)
Overview
Production	1992–1993
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1,838 cc 4S-FE I4 1,988 cc 1G-FE I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GE I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GTE Twin-turbo I6 2,997 cc 2JZ-GE I6 2,446 cc 2L-TE turbo diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,730 mm (107 in)
Length	4,750 mm (187 in)
Width	1,750 mm (68.9 in)
Height	1,390 mm (54.7 in)
Curb weight	1,450 kg (3,197 lb)[11]

In October 1992, the X90 Chaser replaced the previous X81 Chaser. It had a larger body, better handling and more engine power. The body was curvier and the car was significantly longer. The Chaser lineup was largely carried over from the X81 Chaser except the GT Twin Turbo, which was abolished and replaced by the new Tourer V. The top-of-the-line Avante G model received a 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) natural aspirated 2JZ-GE, the next evolution of the JZ series of engines after the 1JZ. The Tourer V was equipped with the 1JZ-GTE engine as the most powerful offering. Manual transmissions were optional for all engine offerings, from the 1.8-liter 4S-FE and 2.4 turbodiesel 2L-TE up through the 2.0-liter 1G-FE and 2.5-liter 1JZ-GE straight-sixes. The Tourer S trim received the non-turbo 1JZ-GE. In September 1992, the Tourer models received equipment upgrades, although not to the level of the Avante G, and their prices were correspondingly higher.

With the retirement of the Cressida model after the X81 generation, only the Mark II, Chaser, and Cresta were sold in the Japanese car market. Each of the members of the Cressida family supposedly had different characteristics - the Chaser was geared towards sporty driving, the Cresta towards luxury, and the Mark II was the baseline model. Apart from trim, the cars mostly differed in front and rear end design, with the Cresta also receiving different doors.

6th Generation (X100; 1993)

Sixth Generation (X100)
Overview
Production	1993–1998
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1,838 cc 4S-FE I4 1,988 cc 1G-FE I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GE I6 2,492 cc 1JZ-GTE turbo I6 2,997 cc 2JZ-GE I6 2,446 cc 2L-TE turbo diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,730 mm (107 in)
Length	4,760 mm (187 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.1 in)
Height	1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Curb weight	1,450 kg (3,197 lb)[12]

1998 Toyota Chaser Avante Four rear view

In September 1993, the X100 Chaser replaced the X90 Chaser. The product lineup consisted mostly of Avante and Tourer trim, with the Avante as the luxury model (with more interior accessories) and the Tourer as the sporty model (with large 16-inch wheels). Toyota's VVTi, the company's version of variable-valve timing, was added to the 1JZ engines; they were also upgraded to have more torque, since they had already reached the agreed voluntary limit set by Japanese Automobile Manufacturer's Association regarding horsepower. The 1JZ-GTE was powered by a single turbo configuration instead of the twin turbo of its predecessors. New to the lineup was the Avante Four and the Avante Four G Package (basically the Avante 2.5 L with a full-time 4WD system). These cars were only available with a 4-speed electronic control type (ECT) automatic transmission. The Tourer V and the automatic-only Avante G 3.0 L (2JZ) models had the option of electronic control flex lockup attaching 4-speed automatic (intelligent) (ECT-iE) transmission, besides the ECT-E automatic in the lower-end models.

In 1996, the lineup remained largely unchanged, although three basic models were added: the XL, Raffine and Tourer 2.0 L. The XL and Raffine models were powered by the 1.8 L 4S-FE engine while the Tourer 2.0 L was powered by the 1G-FE engine, rated at 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 5,600 rpm.^[13] These models were only sold with the 4-speed electronic control type (ECT) automatic transmission.

In 1998, the base Tourer model received the optional manual gearbox and a 4WD option was added to the base Avante models; the Avante Four S Package received a higher special-edition interior. Additionally, the Chaser received a facelift, with the most significant changes to the rear tail lights. Other changes included new fog lights with a slightly redesigned front bar to accommodate them, different interior fabric, a 3-spoke steering wheel instead of 4 spokes, orange gauge lighting instead of white and a grille with 2 horizontal bars instead of 3.

The Chaser was discontinued in June 1999.^[14] It was replaced with a new model called the Verossa which shared the same model code. The Cresta suffered the same fate, but the Mark II continued for another generation (X110) before it was also discontinued. In 2004, the all-new X120 Mark X was introduced in Japan, incorporating many characteristics of the Chaser and the Cresta. In fact, the aim of the Mark X was to combine the characteristics of the 3 models into one single model.

Motorsports

The Chaser competed in the JTCC during the 1990s

X100 Chasers took part in the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1997 and 1998. The car did not manage to win a race in its debut season, while the following year, when other manufacturers had left the JTCC, it won the title with Masanori Sekiya and TOM'S. The Chaser became famous in drifting events,^[15] due to its traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Numerous Toyota Chasers, especially the later X90s and X100s, have been modified for use in drift.^[16]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota Chaser.

• Toyota Chaser Technical Wikipedia (@ JZX World - jzx100.com)