Grade | 3door_Standard_4-speed Floor Shift | 3door_Deluxe_5-speed Floor Shift | 5door_Deluxe_4-speed Floor Shift | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Model type & weight |
Model type | E-KP61 PGKRS | E-KP61 PGMDS | E-KP61 PHKDS |
Curb mass(kg) | 695 | 700 | 710 | |
Dimensions | Length(mm) | 3680 | 3680 | 3680 |
Width(mm) | 1525 | 1525 | 1525 | |
Height(mm) | 1380 | 1380 | 1380 | |
Wheelbase(mm) | 2300 | 2300 | 2300 | |
Engine | Engine code | 4K-U | 4K-U | 4K-U |
Engine type | Water-cooled, in-line, 4-cylinder, OHV | Water-cooled, in-line 4-cylinder, OHV | Water-cooled, in-line 4-cylinder, OHV | |
Displacement(cm3) | 1290 | 1290 | 1290 | |
Max. output kW(PS)/r.p.m. | -/72/5600 | -/72/5600 | -/72/5600 |
* | The specifications are those of representative model grades. |
* | Max. output represents a net rating. In the above table, digits separated by slashes ( / / ) stand for kW, PS, and r.p.m., respectively. |
* | The model numbers of these vehicles are KP61(1300). |
Plant | Toyota Industries Corporation, DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. |
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This means a small star burning brightly.
The second-generation Starlet was intended to be Toyota's entry-level compact car, and was recognized as such. As 2-box hatchbacks were the global standard for compact cars at the time, the Starlet followed this trend and adopted 3- and 5-door 2-box hatchback bodies. It did not follow the compact cars' trend of favoring a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, however, retaining the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout instead. The engine was a 1,290 cc 4K-U unit that met the 1978 emission standards, coupled with a choice of transmissions including 4- and 5-speed manual and 2-speed automatic. The front suspension inherited the predecessor's MacPherson strut and coil spring system, while the rigid axle rear suspension was switched from a leaf spring system to a 4-link coil spring system. Front-wheel disc brakes became standard for all model grades, and the Starlet also became Toyota's first sedan-class passenger car to employ a highly responsive rack-and-pinion steering system. The Starlet proved popular for its reliability and fuel economy, and its agility resulting from the lightweight body and well-balanced chassis had a strong appeal to the so-called "boy racers."
A 4-door van version was added to the line in October 1978. The eco-run system, a mechanism to stop the engine when in idle, was introduced to selected models in August 1981.