Overview of Toyota Chaser

One noticeable vehicle in Toyota's lineup is the Toyota Chaser, a mid-size 4-door sedan built by the Toyota Motor Company in Japan. It is a member of the Toyota quartet and has a common platform with the Cressida, Mark II, and Cresta. The Chaser, well-known for its athletic demeanor and potent 1JZ engine, occupies a special place in Toyota's history.

Toyota introduced many sports cars in the 1990s, and the JZX lineup trained the Toyota Chaser. The JZX100 chaser was ready for import in September 2021. The Toyota Chaser JZX100 fell under the Gentleman’s agreement like other cars, including the Skyline GTR, WRX STI, and Supra Turbo. The imports included the 1996 models that had reached 25 years of maturity and were free from obstructions.

Origin and Evolution

The first Toyota Chaser was manufactured in July 1977. There are six generations of Toyota Chaser, which are:

● 1st Generation (X30, X40; 1977)

● 2nd Generation (X60; 1980)

● 3rd Generation (X70; 1984)

● 4th Generation (X80; 1988)

● 5th Generation (X90; 1992)

● 6th Generation (X100; 1996)

While the X100 Chaser did participate in the Japanese Touring Car Championship during the 1990s, it gained notable recognition in drifting competitions thanks to its conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Many Toyota Chasers, particularly the later X90 and X100 models, underwent modifications for drifting purposes.

Exploring the Diverse Trims of the Toyota Chaser

The Toyota Chaser was produced in various trims. The JZX model primarily has the sporty Tourer and Avante trims. Some of the decorations offered all-wheel drive instead of the RWD setup.

Although Toyota concentrated on the Touring and Avante trims, other great trim options provided even more luxury for the time being. The TRD model, for instance, included luxury TRD badging, seats, and a suspension designed for racing. It had a rear wing to complete the look and compete with any JDM opponent.

Toyota Chaser Engine Power and Transmission Options

The Toyota Chaser JZX100 has a 2.5-liter twin-turbo engine with horsepower 300. It shares engines like the 1 JZ-GTE and 2JZ-GT with the Supra at a much lower price. The 1JZ-GTE has been powering the three generations of Toyota Chaser. The last generation did not include the twin-turbo design for a single-turbo unit. This was because of multi-point direct injection, which was integrated into the recent design. Each cylinder inside has 24 valves. It was further improved due to the powerband that delivers the torque at a lesser RPM than the last generation 1 JZ engines.

The Toyota Chaser JZX100 is a front-engine vehicle. It can produce a horsepower of 276 and an RPM of 6,200. The torque has been improved to 275 lb-ft with a lesser RPM of 1400 than the X90 chaser. Although they have an auto option, most have a swapped transmission to increase the control. It comes with various engine options, which also include a diesel variant. So, there is a lot of room for making modifications.

The Chaser's front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration helped it become well-known in the racing world, especially drifting. Several Chasers or sailing events, particularly the X90s and X100s. Specific models underwent significant modification for the Japanese "super battle" time trial series.

Toyota Chaser Design and Interior

Installing various bolt-on parts like oil coolers, turbos, intercoolers, and large radiators is convenient. They can significantly increase the power of the Toyota Chaser JZX100. The ECU tuners bring all of these together in a unified package. This signifies the fact that Toyota manufactured the JZX100 to be adjusted.

The Toyota Chaser JZX100 has aggressive styling similar to its European counterparts, like the BMW E46. They have a shorter wheelbase. The Toyota Chaser wheelbase is 0.1 inches longer than the BMW E46. Car enthusiasts love the aggressive styling of the Toyota Chaser JZX100.

JDM sports vehicles are jam-packed, like European or US sports cars. Toyota's MR2, Celica, and Supra are renowned for their cramped passenger spaces, absence of rear seats, and small luggage spaces. A striking exception to this rule is the Chaser JZX100. It has five seats and a rather big interior because of the broader body style.

The JZX100 is simple to alter, but the Chaser has unbeatable dependability. It also boasts a noticeably more durable gearbox than Nissan's sports vehicles. The Chaser JZX100's finest feature is simple and frequent drifting, made possible by the substantial torque and RWD design.

Exquisite Features of the Toyota Chaser

The Chaser JZX100 also had power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and luxurious velour fabric seats for a hint of nostalgic 90s style. The Chaser JZX100 is undoubtedly loaded with features; even the most significant components work seamlessly together. The Chaser maintains a strong trend of JDM sports cars despite a few minor difficulties, and we're thrilled that it is now prepared for import!

The Chaser JZX100 has several basic premium features that make the journey pleasurable. Power windows, air conditioning, and keyless entry were expensive in the 1990s. Additionally, the ABS and button-controlled traction control, largely unheard of at the time, provide more control during intense drifting sessions.

How is it to Ride the Toyota Chaser?

The Chaser appears to narrow as you maneuver it along some winding roads. Turn-in is precise and accurate. The car may be positioned precisely to the nearest mm. More positive news may be found in the middle of the corner. The Chaser is quite grippable. If you manage to go above its grip threshold, it releases in an oversteer manner that is readily controlled by varying the throttle and applying a small amount of opposite lock. It seems logical that they would employ these for drifting. Do not be misled; this is a real sports sedan.

The JZX100 accomplishes this superb handling without sacrificing its ride, which is astounding. Broken tar, surface changes, and potholes are no problem for it. The Chaser's brakes are pretty effective at stopping the vehicle. They resist fading even after multiple hard stops and have a superb pedal feel. The ABS is reliable and only causes interference at the absolute threshold of braking limitations. Toyota Australia might take note. Although they wouldn't compare to HSV's high-end stoppers, they are pretty amazing.

Toyota Chaser Fuel Consumption Insights

We traveled on various roadways, including highways, mountain roads, residential roads, and small-town roads. The automated Chaser's best and worst results were 7.3 and 13.6 liters per 100 km, respectively. 10.4 L per 100 kM was the total average use throughout the period we had the automobile. If the automobile was always driven hard, we might anticipate seeing that number increase just a bit.

Toyota Chaser in Movies

A 1998 yellow Chaser Tourer V was featured in the Hollywood motion picture "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." A C-West rear wing, custom paint, Volk Racing GT-V wheels, and Toyo Proxes tires were all present on this Chaser, which was primarily stock otherwise. It was praised for the movie's flexibility.

Farewell to the Legendary Toyota Chaser

Toyota stopped making the Chaser in late 2000, bringing an era to a close. "Verossa," a new model that shared the exact model code, succeeded. The Mark II survived for one more generation (X110) before being discontinued, while the Cresta likewise suffered the same fate. The brand-new X120 Mark X was unveiled in 2004 to fuse the Chaser, Mark II, and Cresta traits into a single vehicle.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

The JZX100 Chaser is an excellent vehicle and, with pricing starting at $14,990 and low mileage, a terrific deal. It handles really well, travels smoothly, and rides nicely. Based on what we've heard, it's slick, quick, and trustworthy. It offers plenty of room for a family to travel in or carry groceries, as other big cars do. There aren't many products like it available. You might compare it to a scaled-down M5 or a more expensive XR6 Turbo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What key features and options are available in different trims of the Toyota Chaser?

The Toyota Chaser was produced in various trims, with the JZX model offering sporty Tourer and Avante trims, some of which featured all-wheel drive. The TRD model, for instance, had luxury TRD badging, seats, and a racing-oriented suspension.

What is the history of the Toyota Chaser, and how does it fit into Toyota's lineup?

The Toyota Chaser is a mid-size 4-door sedan built by Toyota in Japan. It's part of Toyota's quartet, sharing a platform with the Cressida, Mark II, and Cresta. Known for its sporty nature and the potent 1JZ engine, the Chaser holds a special place in Toyota's history.

When did the Toyota Chaser become available for import, and what was the significance of this date?

The Toyota Chaser JZX100 became available for import in September 2021. This import date was significant as it marked when the 1996 models reached 25 years of maturity and were no longer subject to import restrictions under the Gentleman's Agreement.