Toyota and Daihatsu Unveil Passo and Boon

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Toyota Motor Corporation and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., (Daihatsu) announced today the nationwide(Japan) launch of a jointly developed compact car that will be sold by Toyota as the Passo (Italian for “step” or “footstep”, creating the image of a car that is light and easy to drive) through “Toyota Corolla” dealers and by Daihatsu as the Boon (A sound that Japanese children use to imitate a car, creating the image of a fun car for the family to use) through the nationwide Daihatsu Dealer Group. The new vehicle, the first to have been jointly developed for the Japanese market by TMC and Daihatsu, was realized through a combination of the strengths of each company—Toyota’s automobile development technology and quality control strength and Daihatsu’s small car development technology and production expertise.

Featuring compact dimensions, individualistic styling, high levels of utility and superior basic performance, all at an affordable price, this compact car with new values promises to provide a rich motoring experience as a partner in everyday living. As Toyota’s smallest compact car and a Daihatsu high-end compact car, the PASSO/BOON is aimed at market expansion in the area where minivehicles and compact cars overlap.

Combining power with cuteness, the vehicle’s sharp character lines work strong edges into a rounded shape. The firmly grounded posture produced by placing the wheels at the four extreme corners, the simple and taut profile of the door cross section and the cylindrical bumpers integrated with the wheel arches add to the individualistic styling. Within compact dimensions, the vehicle provides a generous cabin space that is the largest in its class, while the versatile and convenient seating arrangement and ample storage space realize high levels of utility.

The minimum turning radius of 4.3 meters is comparable to that of a minivehicle and ensures good maneuverability. The newly developed 1.0-liter 1KR-FE engine and the high-rigidity of the vehicle body make for a comfortable ride.

Fuel efficiency of 21.0 km per liter is in the top range4, even including minivehicles. All vehicles achieve emission levels 75% lower than 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles, while front-wheel-drive vehicles fitted with the 1KR-FE engine achieve five percent greater the fuel efficiency called for by Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards, and four-wheel-drive vehicles fitted with the 1KR-FE engine and vehicles fitted with the K3- VE engine both meet those standards (all vehicles qualify for incentives under the Japanese government's Green Taxation System).

The PASSO/BOON features a collision-safety body that meets the requirements of both Toyota’s advanced GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment), which has been further evolved to incorporate the concept of compatibility, and Daihatsu’s TAF (Total Advanced Function), while ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) as standard and other reassuring safety functions contribute to excellent vehicle stability in emergency situations, ensuring high preventive and collision safety performance. With prices set at below one million yen, starting at 945,000 yen (including consumption tax; excluding consumption tax 900,000 yen), the pricing is very attractive even for minivehicle users.

Individual styling Under the key phrase “tough but cute”, the vehicle’s exterior presents sharp character lines that work strong edges into the overall rounded shape.

Under the key phrase “simple and clean”, the vehicle’s interior includes an instrument panel with a simple and refined design and a cabin space with a pleasantly open feel and an air of cleanliness. The PASSO/BOON adopts universal design indices to realize high functionality that emphasizes user-friendliness and being easy to handle. Meanwhile, the treatment of surfaces with geometric patterns and silver paint coating creates a sophisticated feel. Body colors can be chosen from a total of nine color variations to match the style and individuality of the users.

Spacious cabin and maneuverability Despite compact body dimensions, the long wheelbase and wide tread help to create an interior space among the largest in its class that can comfortably accommodate five adults.

The minimum turning radius of 4.3 meters is comparable to that of a minivehicle and ensures good maneuverability. By moving the rear seat cushion forward, the flat area can be extended to create an interior space that can be used flexibly. The rear seats have seatbacks that fold in a 60:40 split and also have a reclining function, offering a versatile seat arrangement and improved amenity. F-package vehicles have a built-in child seat on the left outer seating position of the rear seat.

The ample luggage space means that even with five occupants a baby stroller can also fit in the vehicle. A wide storage shelf on the front passenger side, an illuminated multi-purpose storage tray, a seatback hook for shopping bags, a storage compartment under the front passenger seat (F-package vehicles), a floor-mounted storage tray between the two front seats and other features offer generous and user-friendly storage space.

Fittings and functions Steering column-mounted readouts As the main instrument dials, readouts and indicators are mounted on the steering column, they are always in clear view, regardless of how the tilt steering column is adjusted.

Plasmacluster Ions F-package or F-pack vehicles are fitted with a new air cleaning technology called Plasmacluster Ions*, which releases a balanced ratio of positive and negative ions into the cabin and prevents the propagation of airborne germs and mold bacteria and also eases occupants’ stress. * Plasmacluster Ions is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation

Clean-air filter (anti-dust type) All vehicles are fitted with an air filter that expels pollen, dust and other impurities that enter the cabin when outside air is taken in.

Key Free system (F-package vehicles) F-package vehicles feature an electronic keycard system that allows the driver to easily lock and unlock the doors and turn the engine on and off. CD-AM/FM radio with multi electronic tuner Equipped with the minimum number of switches to allow operation of the most commonly used functions, the audio panel is also designed with larger dimensions for easier use.

G-Book-compatible wide-screen Multi-AV Station II with voice navigation This system combines a voice navigation function that comes with an SD memory card including a map of the whole of Japan, plus a wide range of audiovisual features including audio CD with AM/FM radio and wide-screen television (optional).

Brisk driving performance The engines featured are the newly developed 1.0-liter 1KR-FE engine and 1.3-liter K3-VE engine. The newly developed 1.0-liter 1KR-FE engine has a continuously variable valve timing mechanism and optimized intake ports built into the head that help provide high torque and excellent acceleration in the low to medium speed ranges most commonly used in everyday driving.

The 1.3-liter K3-VE engine with its continuously variable valve timing mechanism provides ample torque at low to medium speeds and smooth acceleration at high speeds.

The new vehicle is fitted with Super ECT (a super intelligent four-speed automatic transmission), which makes for smooth and responsive gear shifting. The front suspension uses MacPherson struts, while the rear in front-wheel-drive versions has a torsion beam with a toe-correct function and the rear in four-wheeldrive versions features a triple-link type with lateral rods. Four-wheel-drive models feature the V Flex Full-time 4WD system.