Toyota Tercel 1st Generation (L10)

Production period:	1978-1982
Class:	Motor Car
Body versions:	Sedan,coupé
Engines:	Gasoline : 1.3-1.5 litres (45-61 kW)
Length:	3960-3990 mm
Width:	1555 mm
Height:	1355-1375 mm
Wheelbase:	98.42 in, 2500 mm
Ground clearance:	6.89 in, 170 mm

The Toyota Tercel 1st Generation L10 also called the Toyota Corsa was a small Japanese car built from 1978 to 1982.

History

In August 1978, the sale of the Tercel started as Toyota Corolla II this in Japan, had different dealer networks, such as the Corolla Store or Toyopet Store, a demarcation to Corolla was necessary. The Corolla Store offered slightly more sophisticated models, such as the Toyopet store, which used to be rural, commercial vehicles and basic passenger cars. 

The models sold in the Toyopet store were called Toyota Corsa. With the Corolla II Toyota presented its first car with front-wheel drive, which was higher in price and positioning than the Corolla. Prices in japan started from 711.000 yen for the Corsa Standard 2 door Sedan to 918.000 yen for the Tercel SE 3-door Coupé.

In addition to the front-wheel drive, the two or four-door sedan had the newly developed 1452 cc SOHC 4-cylinder 1A-U  cast iron block
and light alloy head gasoline engine with 59 kW (80 hp) and 5-speed manual transmission option, which offered less fuel consumption, more power and lower emissions compared to the regular Corolla. Shortly after the launch, a three-door coupe was also available the  weight distribution was 61% to front, and 39% rear.

PERFORMANCE

• max power (JIS): 80 hp at 5.600 rpm
• max torque (JIS) 83 lb 11.5 kg m at 3.600 rpm
• max engine rpm: (JIS) 6,000; 55.1 hp/l
• consumption: 45.2 m/imp gal. 37.6 m/US gal.
• power-weight ratio: De Luxe 2-dr Sedan 21.2 lb/hp. 9.6 kg/hp
• max speeds: (I) 29 mph. 46 km/h; (II) 49 mph. 79 km/h: (III) 74 mph. 120 km/h; (IV) 99 mph. 160 km/h

In January 1979, the export of sedan versions to Europe started with the newly designed 1295 cc SOHC 4-cylinder 2A-U gasoline engine with 48 kW (65 hp) and 4- or optional 5-speed manual transmission. The introduction of this engine was made in Japan in June, but with 54 kW (74 hp). At the same time, the 1.5-liter was built to 3A-U with now 61 kW (83 hp) and also in Corolla. A 3- speed automatic transmission was also available for this engine. The motors were each mounted longitudinally.

Early 1980 was a light facelift with a slanted front and minor changes in the rear and in the interior, parallel to the introduction of sedans and coupe as Toyota Corolla Tercel in North America. The revised version was only available in the home market from August, as well as in Europe. In North America, only the 1.5-liter was available, in a version with 45 kW (61 hp). In the domestic market, the series was less successful than in the export markets, so that future development was geared to their requirements.