• Toyota Estima

The Estima is a large MPV with 7 or 8 people depending on the version produced by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota.

His first two generations were released in Europe under the name Previa. His third and current generation is primarily intended to Japan and the rest of Asia but is no longer imported into Europe. Only the first generation Estima, and only until 1997, was broadcast in the United States.

Ovoid line output drawing boards of the American studio Toyota, California. Toyota Prévia was marketed between 1991 and 1997 in the United States.

While Europe calls for a diesel version of the Previa, his twin Estima in Japan has the same 4-cylinder 2.4-liter petrol (135hp or 160, against 156 in Europe), but also a 2.2-liter… turbodiesel 100hp, only available in Japan! it does not respond indeed to European emission standards, not stricter but different from those in Japan.

Like almost all models sold in Japan, Estima comes in 4-wheel drive versions.

Tank, 60 liters and 135hp 2.4 diesel is 75 liters on the 2.4 160hp. This large reservoir which is mounted on the Previa for Europe.

The second generation Estima launched in January 2000 retain the traditional MPV silhouette of a minivan but the line moves significantly while the technique is completely redesigned. This generation was not sold in the United States where the Estima has been replaced, in 1997, the Sienna (see dedicated section).

The Estima released in 2000 is now a pull (or 4 wheel drive of course) with engines, this time placed at the front, are all new. The 2.4-liter has been changed to display 160hp. He is backed by a 3-liter V6 220hp. Diesel left the Japanese catalog… while another diesel incorporates the cover Previa for Europe!

For 2004, the Estima comes in a hybrid version (trade name "Hybrid") electric power, which uses the 2.4-liter gasoline 131hp version which adds an electrical block 18 c. This version is the only one with a drive transmission (CVT), the rest of the range are equipped with an automatic 4-speed gearbox. Manual transmission, always available for Europe, is no longer offered in Japan.

This third Estima, appeared in January 2006 (and restyled in late 2008), this time is reserved in Japan and other Asian countries. It is also sold in Australia under the name Tarago. But Toyota longer plays in Europe.

The line remains in line with the previous model but the technique is still evolving considerably. The wheelbase is stretched 5 cm and motors are again reviewed.

the 2.4-liter "base" is increased from 160 to 170hp and leaves his 4-speed automatic transmission for a drive CVT. The 3-liter V6 220hp is replaced by a 3.5-liter 280hp and automatic transmission from 4 to 6 speed. Finally, the Hybrid version becomes a "full hybrid" and the 2.4-liter 150hp gasoline is now associated with two electric motors, one on each drive train, like a Lexus RX 450h.

For the third time, Estima won a big success in Japan, with sales going up slightly over 95 000 copies in 2006, earning him this year eighth in the Japanese market in all categories. This success does not preclude that of another large MPV Toyota, the/duo Alphard vellfire.

Depending on the year, the hybrid version is between 20 and 25% of the distribution of Estima in Japan.

Toyota Previa

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