A Wish from Toyota

A Wish from Toyota

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Apart from a few exceptions, Toyota does not usually make it a point to be the first into the market with a new kind of product. One of the secrets of its success is being able to exploit the ‘numbers game’ and to do so, it will see just how great the potential is before coming in.

And when Toyota does come in, it usually does so with a well-conceived product that has been developed with the considerable resources and experience available to Japan’s No. 1 carmaker.

This appears to be the case with the new Toyota Wish, a midi-sized MPV which will take on the Honda Stream and other rivals like the Opel Zafira and Hyundai Trajet. In fact, this new model is significant enough that it is believed to be the basis of an International MPV project that Toyota has started for this region.

That the Wish is intended to challenge the Stream head-on is very obvious when you compare the dimensions which are virtually identical. The monoform shape is also similar although Toyota has its own styling themes.

The monoform silhouette makes full use of the advanced package while suggesting an image of a capsule, and the window graphics that merge the side windows with those of the rear create a flowing design with a sense of vitality. The expansive hood surface comprising the vertical four-lamp configuration and cylindrical lamp extensions convey ‘strength and high performance’.

“The monoform styling conveys a sense of vitality,” says Takeshi Yoshida, Chief Engineer for the Wish (he was also responsible for the Corolla Altis). “Using the design theme ‘vibrant clarity’, an exterior design evoking a sense of vigour was created, expressing quality and sportiness.”

The simple yet pronounced lines of the rear door and the vertical combination lamps located on the two corners create a sense of breadth (the taillights and brake lights use reflective LEDs).

Although the Wish has compact exterior dimensions, the interior has plenty of space for every passenger, and the cabin layout allows for a large luggage area or for a large number of passengers depending on use. The long wheelbase and flat floor provide for ample legroom and head clearance for all seats.

The high hip-point ensures excellent visibility and ease of boarding and exiting, while the rear door opening is large in consideration of rear seat ingress and egress. The seats in the second row have seatbacks that folds in a 60:40 split. The seats can be folded flat and can slide forward and back 195 mm. The seats in the third row fold/unfold in a 50:50 split at the touch of a button. They also have a reclining function.

Power comes from a 1.8-litre VVT-I engine that is the same as the one in the Corolla Altis. It has a diagonal squish combustion chamber with a high compression ratio of 10:1, improved combustion efficiency and reduction of friction loss. In addition, an aluminium block and a smaller oil pump contribute to lighter weight and smaller size for additional fuel efficiency.

It is believed that Toyota will also offer a 2.0-litre engine for the Wish in the very near future.

The Wish has a Super ECT 4-speed electronic automatic transmission. This is equipped with a high-efficiency torque converter, flex lockup system and high-precision clutch hydraulic control system provide smooth and responsive gearshifts while contributing to high fuel efficiency.

The front suspension uses geometrically optimized L-shaped MacPherson struts, while the rear has a torsion beam with a toe-correct function. (4WD variants have a double-wishbone type rear suspension). Electric power steering is fitted. Reducing power losses and providing more seamless changes in the steering assistance properties according to information from a vehicle speed sensor.

For the 4WD variants, there is an active torque control 4WD system. The rear differential has an electronically-controlled coupling, which uses input signals from a variety of sensors to distribute power equivalent to that of fuel efficient FWD vehicles when on ordinary roads and optimally to the front and rear wheels when on slippery surfaces such as snow-covered roads, thus providing excellent maneuverability and handling stability.

As expected, the Wish has lots of storage space in numerous locations including an upper box and glove compartment on the passenger side of the instrument panel, a multi-purpose box, bottle holders and door trim pockets on the front and rear doors, and a tray beneath the passenger’s seat.

Toyota aims to sell about 84,000 units of the Wish in Japan annually and definitely a lot more in other markets. Whether it comes to Malaysia remains to be seen; right now, the Unser is the best-seller and it’s also an MPV. It is very well-priced which is why over 1,000 units were sold every month last year. So adding another MPV could dilute sales and be strategically wrong. However, if it is assembled in an ASEAN country (the Stream is already being assembled in Indonesia), then it could eventually come in at a competitive price under AFTA rates.

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