The Charmant was originally a spin-off of the Toyota Corolla of the 1970s; model changes paralleled that of the Corolla. Trim levels were LC, LE and LGX; these continued until 1987 when the range was discontinued in the United Kingdom. The A35 body numbered Charmants were equipped with 1300 cc engines. This type of engines were coded as 4K Toyota engines. A 1600 cc (OHC) engine was also available, which could be ordered with a 3-speed semi-automatic transmission. The Daihatsu Charmant was aimed at the small executive saloon car market in Britain in the 1980s. Other cars in this class included the Vauxhall Belmont, Volkswagen Jetta, Rover 213/216 and the Ford Orion.
Body type: three or five-door saloon.
In-line turbocharged three-cylinder (carburetter) 1993 cc 150 kW (68 hp) at 5500 rpm I 78.12 Ib/ft (10.8 mkg) at 3200 rpm.
Front-wheel drive; five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension - front: McPherson struts with anti-roll bar; rear: coil-sprung rigid axle located by trailing arms and Panhard rod. Tyre size: 165/70.13.
Steering: rack and pinion unassisted. Turning circle: 9.4 m (30'10").
Brakes - front: disc; rear: drum.
Overall length: 3.55 m (11'7.5"); width: 1.55 m (5'1"); height: 1.4 m (4'7").
Boot capacity - max.: 280 I (9.89 cu. ft); min.: 128 I (4.52 cu. ft).
Max. unladen weight: 695 kg (1529 Ibs). Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph). Acceleration - 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 11.5 seconds.
Versions available: Wagon, Hardtop in petrol and Diesel versions.
Body type: three-door van/utility.
In-line four-cylinder petrol (carburetter) I 1998 cc I 65 kW (88 hp) at 4600 rpm 1115.73 Ib/ft (16 mkg) at 3000 rpm.
In-line four-cylinder Diesel I 2765 cc 154 kW (73 hp) at 3600 rpm I 125.131b/ft (17.3 mkg) at 2200 rpm. Four-wheel drive; five-speed manual gearbox with twoospeed transfer box giving 2 or 4WD. Limited slip diffferential and freewheel front hubs.
Suspension - front: rigid axle with leaf springs and antiiroll bar; rear: rigid axle with leaf springs. Adjustable dampers controlled from fascia.
Steering: power-assisted recirculating balls. Turning circle: 10.3 m (33'9.5").
Brakes - front: disc; rear: drum.
Overall length: 4.1 m (13'5.5"); width: 1.58 m (5'2"); height: 1.82 m (5'11.5").
Max. unladen weight: 1470 kg (3234Ibs).
Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph); Diesel: 125 km/h (78 mph).
Acceleration - 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 26.4 s (Petrol), 25.7 s (Diesel).
Average fuel consumption: 13.071/100 km (21.61 mpg); Diesel: 10.9711100 km (25.75 mpg).
Body type: four- and five-door saloon.
In-line four-cylinder (carburetter) 1587 cc 57 kW (78 hp) at 5600 rpm 89.691b/ft (12.4 mkg) at 3600 rpm. Front-wheel drive; five-speed manual gearbox.
Suspension - front: McPherson struts with anti-roll bar; rear: coil spring/damper units located by transsverse and trailing arms. Tyre size: 165.13.
Steering: rack and pinion unassisted. Turning circle: 10.8 m (35'5").
Brakes - front: ventilated disc; rear: drum.
Overall length: 4.33 m (14'2.5"); width: 1.67 m (5'6"); height: 1.37 m (4'6").
Max. unladen weight: 1010 kg (2222Ibs). Maximum speed: 165 km/h (102 mph). Acceleration - 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 12.5 s.
Average fuel consumption: 6.531/100 km (43.26 mpg).
The Toyota Van was distributed worldwide in a multitude of versions. The 'Van' was a slightly larger version of the Toyota LiteAce/Toyota TownAce. It featured a sharply sloped front, in contrast to the upright flat found in the Toyota Hiace. The Toyota Van was introduced to North America the same year as the Dodge Caravan, 1984. In Japan, it was sold as the Toyota Master Ace. The North American model was officially known as the Van (VanWagon in early press materials), and sometimes referred to as "The Mystery Machine van".
In Europe the Toyota Van was known as the Space Cruiser, while Australia referred to the vehicle as the Tarago. In Sweden and Norway it was sold as the Toyota Model F. The rear wheel drive versions were sold in the United States between 1984 and 1989 while the four wheel drive models were sold between 1987 and 1989. The four wheel drive models came with skid plates and a transfer case for Low and High four wheel drive. All trim levels starting in 1986 had a cornering lamp system.
Toyota's advertising campaign referred to the passenger vans (DLX and LE trim levels) as the "Wonderwagon" while the CRG trim level was referred to as the "Cargo Van". The Van used a front mid-engine layout where the driver and front passenger sat directly above the front axle. The VanWagon's short wheelbase contributed to a very bumpy ride but a short turning radius of 15 feet. Deluxe and LE (Limited Edition) versions were offered as well as an ice maker/refrigerator between the front seats in the floorboard, which was connected into the a/c refrigerant lines.
The VanWagon also offered dual air-conditioning, captains chairs, dual sunroofs (the front tilted and rear opened fully), digital clock, satellite radio controls, fog lights, tachometer, power locks, power windows, and a tinted glass privacy package. LE models had colour matched bumpers and front grill along with power mirrors, chrome headlight bezels, and chrome Toyota emblems. Base models came with black bumpers and grill with white Toyota emblems. Base models have the reverse lights incorporated into the taillight assembly whereas the LE models had them incorporated into the rear hatch.