Toyota launches redesigned 'Passo'

2010 Toyota Passo 1.0＋Hana“C Package”

TOKYO : February 15, 2010 - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned "Passo" compact hatchback. Vehicle comes in two model styles : 'Passo' and 'Passo + Hana'

The second-generation Passo further refines the highly maneuverable compact body, spacious interior and class leading1 fuel efficiency and environmental performance of the popular first-generation Passo released in June 2004, with the new vehicle embodying input, from the planning stage, from female consumers in Japan. This development has taken the Passo to the next level and demonstrates TMC's ongoing efforts to design vehicles to meet consumer needs.

2010 Toyota Passo 1.0＋Hana

The vehicle comes in two distinct model styles: the simple and unpretentious "Passo", which offers a sense reassurance and familiarity, and the "Passo + Hana", which imbues an understated glamour for a strong impression. These unique designs, along with 11 available body colors, create variety that enables vehicle selection ideally suited to express individuality. Thanks to efforts made to enhance ease-of-operation, utility and drivability, including the redesign of the front pillars for better visibility and the creation of more storage space within easy reach of the driver, the vehicle is more appealing than ever—especially with its highly affordable price, which starts at 1 million yen.

The new Passo, like its predecessor, was developed in conjunction with Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Vehicle Outline : Wide range of variations to suit user personality

2010 Toyota Passo 1.3G

Model style: Passo

Large lower grille and round halogen headlights give endearing front view
Rear bumper and body highlight vehicle's width and low center of gravity, creating sense of stability of rear profile
Interior offers living-room-like comfort, with wallpaper-style pattern on instrument-panel top, clock-like semi-circular gauges and a simple, specially designed audio system
Flat instrument panel emphasizes expansive breadth of vehicle, thus creating spacious cabin, while both round and square individual components convey fun and relaxation
Simply designed front seats with built-in headrests and soft, cotton-like seat covers create comfortable interior space
Kinari (light beige) interior creates soothing and natural atmosphere

2010 Toyota Passo 1.3＋Hana

Model style: Passo + Hana

Center-emphasized front bumper, combined with two-tiered front grille and four-beam halogen headlights, creates vibrant front view with strong presence
Combination taillights with clear lenses offer upscale-looking rear view
Blacked-out door sashes and sumptuous champagne-tinted outside door handles, indicator lights built into side mirrors and vehicle's wheels all exude sense of vibrancy
Expansive front bench seat with Jacquard woven seat covers and armrests add to interior's sophistication
Interior is in subdued Choco brown

The 11 available body colors have rich and evocative names, with three developed exclusively for the new Passo being:

Uguisu Metallic (light green reminiscent of early spring)
Kinako Metallic (earthy, fine shade similar to color of kinako [soybean powder])
Akari Mica Metallic (warm tone like that of candle flame)

2010 Toyota Passo 1.3G cockpit

Welcome Ease-of-handling and Usability

Package
The compact body (length: 3,640 mm [Passo + Hana: 3,650 mm]; width: 1,665 mm; height: 1,535 mm) seats five adults comfortably and has a roomy luggage space ideal for everyday use.

The adoption of a column shift allows easy movement between the front seats, while optimal seat placement secures ample legroom for the rear seats.

The shape of the front pillars, 10-mm-higher hip point and a lowered beltline combine to improve driver visibility.

In addition to a minimal turning radius of 4.3 m (when using 13-inch tires), ease-of-driving has been enhanced with a reverse-linked side-view mirror on the front-passenger side (standard on the 1.3G and L package vehicles) and the rearview monitor (available as a manufacturer's option on all models except the V package), both of which allow a clear view of parking space lines.

Utility

Vehicle design is aimed at everyday use, thus features a handy, retractable hook for hanging shopping bags placed within easy reach of the driver, a multi-purpose storage tray (equipped with light for visibility at night) and a wide storage shelf.

Easily to arrange seating, including rear-seat cushions that can be repositioned to create a flat space that extends to the back of the front seats, expand the potential uses of the interior space.

A Smart Entry & Start System allows the front doors to be locked and unlocked with only a light touch on the door handle. The system also features a push-button for starting and stopping the engine.

An automatic air-conditioning system includes a push-button function to filter out pollen, dust and other impurities from the air.

2010 Toyota Passo 1.0X“L Package”

Environmentally Friendly and People-friendly Functional Performance

Performance

All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with both the 1.0-liter 1KR-FE engine and the new 1.3-liter 1NR-FE engine featuring the Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent system, thus giving a smooth, comfortable, stable ride.

Fuel efficiency has been improved with an eye to reducing CO₂ emissions. The 1.0-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) gets 22.5 km/L in the traditional 10-15 test cycle outlined by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); equivalent to 103 g/km of CO₂ emissions. In the JC08 test cycle, the vehicle gets 20.8 km/L, which is equivalent to 112 g/km of CO₂ emissions. Meanwhile, the 1.3-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) gets 21.0 km/L in the 10-15 test cycle, equivalent to 111 g/km of CO₂ emissions.

The 1.0-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) surpasses the existing Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards2 by 25%, thereby meeting the new 2015 fuel efficiency standard2. The 1.3-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) exceeds the 2010 fuel efficiency standards by 15%. All vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.

Under the Japanese government's taxation system introduced in April 2009 for environmentally friendly vehicles, the 1.0-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) qualifies for a 75% reduction in the automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax, while the 1.3-liter model (with front-wheel-drive) is eligible for a 50% reduction in the same taxes.

An Eco Driving Indicator that shows fuel-efficient vehicle operation and a button-operated driving status monitor that indicates the vehicle's average fuel efficiency are both standard on all Passo models.

The vehicles were produced in line with TMC's Eco-Vehicle Assessment System, an original, comprehensive, environmental impact assessment system that sets targets at the start of vehicle development to help reduce environmentally harmful factors by such means as the balanced reduction of CO₂ emissions.

Review of materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts reduced volatile organic compounds and sometimes-unpleasant interior odors to levels compliant with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association's "Vehicle Cabin VOC Testing Methods (for Passenger Cars)", which are voluntary industry standards.

Safety

The VSC & TRC system (Vehicle Stability Control & Traction Control system; available as a manufacturer's option on all models except the V package)—created by combining the VSC system that monitors lateral traction and automatically controls engine output and distribution of braking force with the TRC system that limits wheel-spin during starting and acceleration—secures appropriate driving force and facilitates smooth acceleration.

All vehicles come equipped with SRS airbags for both the driver and front-passenger seats. SRS side airbags also provide chests protection, while SRS curtain-shield airbags aim to reduce head injuries.

Exceptional collision safety in the event of frontal, side or rear collisions is pursued through the advanced Global Outstanding Assessment body that incorporates omni-directional compatibility.

The vehicle's body is designed to reduce head or leg injury to pedestrians in the unfortunate event of a collision.

The front seats are equipped with Active Headrests that shift to an appropriate position in the case of a rear-end collision in order to lessen stress on the neck and reduce the risk of whiplash injuries.

Welcabs: Vehicles with special factory-installed features for the disabled

Welcab Lift-up Front Passenger Seat models for both Type A and Type B vehicles feature a seat that slides down to the outside of the vehicle for easier ingress and regress. The compact design of the lift-up mechanism increases rear-seat legroom, while a seat-slide switch and reclining switch on both sides of the lift-up seat now also enable operation from the driver's seat. The Type B vehicle comes with a motorized wheelchair storage device as a standard feature.

The 1.0-liter and 1.3-liter front-wheel-drive models qualify for a reduction in the automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax under the Japanese government's taxation system for environmentally friendly vehicles.

Welcab models of the Passo will be available from April 20.

Images : 2010 Toyota Passo