Toyota Sprinter

The Toyota Sprinter was a compact car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota as a variation of the Toyota Corolla. Each generation of the Corolla had a corresponding version of the Sprinter.

The Sprinter was sold in the United States as the Chevrolet Nova and the Geo Prizm. The Nova and Prizm were manufactured in Fremont, California, USA by NUMMI, a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors. The Nova was also manufactured in Australia as a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors - Holden.

The Sprinter was never available as a hatchback until the name was changed to Toyota Allex in 1999. Now it is known as Toyota Blade 2006.

History

First Generation — E10 series

The first generation Sprinter was introduced in March 1968 as a fastback version of the first generation Corolla. This was the only version to include the word "Corolla" in its name. Like the rest of the Corolla range, the 1077 cc K engine was upgrade to the 1166 cc 3K engine in September 1969.

Second Generation — E20 series

In May 1970, the Sprinter was released as a variation of the second generation Corolla coupe. Toyota had promised it's Corolla dealers in Japan that they would receive exclusive rights to sell the Corolla. In order to sell through a second dealer network, the Sprinter was no longer called a Corolla, even though the differences were mostly cosmetic.

In Japan, the 3K engine was supplemented by a 1407 cc T engine in September 1970. Some markets received the 1588 cc 2T engine in March 1972. With the twincam 2T-G engine the vehicle was known as the Sprinter Trueno. As special model called the Sprinter Trueno J had everything the Trueno had except it used the single cam, twin carburettor 2T-B engine.

Third generation — E40, E60 series

1974 brought the third generation Sprinter based on the third generation Corolla coupe, 2 door sedan, 4 door sedan and liftback. Once again, the differences between the Corolla and Sprinter were mostly cosmetic. Sedans received a more formal upright grill, while the coupe and liftback received a sleeker, aerodynamic looking frontal treatment.