Toyota Chaser

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, 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 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)

Second Generation (X60)
Toyota Chaser Avante sedan (GX61)
Overview
Production	1980–1984
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)[6] 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)[7] Diesel: 2188 cc L I4 (LX60) 2446 cc 2L-TE I4 (LX65)[6]
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 1980, 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.[7]

Toyota Chaser Avante hardtop sedan (GX61, facelift)

Third Generation (X70)
Overview
Production	1984-1988
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	petrol: 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. 1G-GEU engine improvements, LPG engine change 3Y-PU, larger bumpers, front grille and changes in, substantial efforts were made to the equipment. Was popular in early-type rear combination lamps are kept to a minor change. January 1987 a special edition "Lordly" was released, May 1987 a special edition "Chaser Avante" was released. August 1987 special edition "New Extra XG Chaser" was released. September 1987 2L, 2L-T 1986 car emissions compliance engine was introduced. January 1988 special edition "Avante Supra" released as a companion to the third-generation Supra. April 1988 special edition "with extra XG Auto Air Conditioner" launch.

Fourth Generation (X80)
Overview
Production	1989-1992
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L cc 4S-FE I4 2.0 L cc 1G-GTE twin-turbo I6 2.0 L cc 1G-GZE s/c I6 2.5 L cc 1JZ-GE I6 2.5 L cc 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo I6 3.0 L cc 7M-GE I6
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 1989, 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.

Fifth Generation (X90)
Overview
Production	1992-1996
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L cc 1JZ-GTE Twin-turbo I6 3.0 L cc 2JZ-GE I6
Transmission	5-speed manual
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 1G-FE inline 6 and 1JZ-GE 2.5 inline 6. 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.

Sixth Generation (X100)
Overview
Production	1996-2001
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L cc 1G-FE I6 2.5 L cc 1JZ-GE I6 2.5 L cc 1JZ-GTE turbo I6 3.0 L cc 2JZ-GE I6 2.4 L 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 1996, the X100 Chaser replaced the X90 Chaser. By this time, the Chaser had become a more sporty sedan; for many, it was the definitive Chaser and the best-looking model. The product lineup consisted mostly of Avantes and Tourers, 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 give out more torque, since they had already reached the legal limit set by Japanese authorities 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 in 4-speed electronic control type (ECT) automatic transmission. The Tourer V and 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 1997 the lineup remained largely unchanged, although a basic Tourer 2.0 L model was added. The Tourer was powered by a 1G-FE engine, capable of 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 5600 rpm. It was sold with only the 4-speed electronic control type (ECT) automatic transmission.

In 1998, the basic Tourer received the optional manual gearbox and a 4WD option for basic 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. 1998 was also the year the Chaser received a minor facelift.

Toyota ceased producing the Chaser in June 2001.[13] It was replaced with a new model called the Verossa which shares 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 earlier-model Chasers (and also the models similar to the Chaser like the Mark II and the Cresta). In fact, the aim of the Mark X is to combine the characteristics of the 3 models into one single model.

Although X100 Chasers took part in the Japanese Touring Car Championship in the 1990s, the Chaser truly shone in drifting events, 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.[14] Versions of the Chaser have also been highly modified to take part in the "super battle" time trial series in Japan..

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota Chaser.

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