The Toyota Paseo, known in Japan and some other regions as the Toyota Cynos, was a sports-styled subcompact coupe sold from 1991 to 1999. It was based on the Tercel, shared its platform with the Starlet and, from 1996, was also available as a convertible.
Toyota Paseo at a glance
| Maker | Toyota |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–1999 |
| Japanese name | Toyota Cynos |
| Class | Subcompact coupe |
| Base | Toyota Tercel (L40, then L50) |
| Engines | 1.5-litre 5E-FE, 1.3-litre 4E-FE in Japan |
| Power | 89–115 hp |
| Gearboxes | Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Convertible | Built by ASC, from 1996 |
| Sold through | Toyopet Store, Japan |
| Name | Paseo, Spanish for a walk |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Toyota Paseo.
History of the Toyota Paseo
First generation (L40; 1991)
The first Paseo was built from 1991 to 1995 on the L40 Tercel platform and powered by a 1.5-litre 5E-FE four-cylinder, rated at 100 hp at 6,400 rpm and 123 N·m at 3,200 rpm in most markets, or 93 hp in California-emission states from 1993. It came with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. In Japan the car was called the Cynos and offered in Alpha and Beta trims: the Alpha used a 5E-FE of 105 PS and the Beta a 5E-FHE of 115 PS, with four-wheel disc brakes and TEMS electronically controlled suspension available as options on the Beta. Toyota stopped selling the Paseo in the United States in 1997, but it continued in Canada, Europe and Japan until 1999.
Second generation (L50; 1995)
The second-generation Paseo arrived in Japan in 1995 and in North America for 1996. Apart from modernised engine electronics, the main change was new body sheet metal. The 5E-FE was retuned to meet lower emissions, dropping to 93 hp and 136 N·m. A convertible built by American Sunroof Company was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1995 and went on sale in August 1996; it was offered in Japan with both the 1.3- and 1.5-litre engines. In the UK, the second-generation Paseo was sold from 1996 to 1998 in ST, Si and Galliano trims, all with a 90 PS version of the 5E-FE and a claimed 180 km/h top speed, before being withdrawn for slow sales.
The Japanese Cynos
The Japanese Cynos of this generation came in Alpha, Alpha Juno Package and Beta trims, all with colour-coded mirrors and a rear wiper, differing in dashboard, upholstery, steering wheel and engine. The Alpha models used a 1.3-litre 4E-FE of 88 PS with a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic, the Beta a 5E-FHE of 110 PS with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. In September 1996 the small engine was revised for better low-end response, its power slipping to 85 PS, and from October 1996 the ASC convertible was offered in Japan as well. A December 1997 facelift brought a five-speed manual for the 1.3. Production of both Paseo and Cynos ended in July 1999, with Japanese sales continuing to December.
Design and features
- Tercel base: the same platform as the Tercel and Starlet, with interchangeable parts.
- Japanese Cynos: Alpha and Beta trims with 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines.
- Convertible: built by ASC from 1996.
- Optional TEMS: electronically controlled suspension on the Cynos Beta.
Toyota Paseo versions
- L40 (1991): first generation with the 5E-FE engine.
- Cynos Alpha and Beta (1991): Japanese trims with 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines.
- L50 (1995): second generation with new bodywork.
- Convertible (1996): ASC-built open version.
- UK trims: ST, Si and Galliano, 1996–1998.
The Paseo was based on the Tercel and shared its platform with the Starlet. More cars are in the Toyota collection.
Sources
- Toyota Paseo, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, trims
.jpg){kind=link}