Toyota WiLL
The Toyota WiLL series consists of three individually-designed cars, based on the mechanicals of other Toyota models. The series was intended to appeal to markets that were not covered by Toyota's mainstream range, and to discover how commercially feasible such unusual designs were. The WiLL range also incorporated other fashionable items, such as laptops, phones and perfume. The American Scion range is based on a similar concept.[1]
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[edit] WiLL Vi
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Toyota WiLL Vi.
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The Toyota WiLL Vi is a compact car, produced from 2000 to 2001, with distinctive styling combining elements of many cars. The WiLL Vi was designed by the then newly-formed Virtual Venture Company, headed by Jim Shimizu.[1]
[edit] WiLL VS
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Toyota WiLL VS.
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The Vi's bigger brother, the Toyota WiLL VS was years ahead of its rivals in car design when it was first introduced in 2001. It was manufactured at Kanto Auto Works.[2] Inspiration for the design of the WiLL VS was said to have been derived from the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter.
The WiLL VS came in three levels of trim. The top of the range model came with alloy wheels, fog-lamps, body kit and tiptronic gearshift. Models are available in automatic transmission, tiptronic, and a six speed manual, powered by Toyota's 1800cc VVT-I engine offering 140 hp or VVTL-I engine offering 180 hp, which is the unit in the higher spec Toyota Celica.
In spite of its success in the Japanese market, where the WiLL VS had a cult following, the model was never released overseas. Production of the WiLL VS was stopped circa 2004 and a replacement model was never announced, much to the disappointment of its fans. Nevertheless, some would argue that there was no need to replace the WiLL VS for at least another decade given its futuristic design that some of the newer cars were only beginning to adopt. This would include trend-setting features such as the rakish body shape, aerodynamic angles, projector-style headlamp cluster (regarded as revolutionary in 2001), illuminated speedometer and clear LED tail lights.
The car was used as the police vehicle "Machine Bull" in the 2004 Super Sentai series Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.
The WiLL VS will probably be remembered as one of the few concept vehicles that went into production, albeit only in small numbers, only 4,000 were ever produced. In the years to follow, several other vehicles have taken styling cues from the WiLL VS, most notably the 2004 Vauxhall Astra and the Renault Megane.
[edit] WiLL Cypha
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Toyota WiLL Cypha.
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The WiLL Cypha was produced from 2002 to 2005. It shared many of its mechanicals, including the 1.3-litre 2NZ and 1.5-litre 1NZ engines, with the Ist. Its styling developed themes seen in the Vitz/Yaris, but has a more angular look. Notable features are the rear lights placed level with the rear window, giving a look of the Renault Megane II, and the distinctive headlights which have four lamps per side arranged vertically. The interior used a rounded theme, with items such as the door pulls and the central console being circular. All Toyota WiLL Cyphas were manufactured by Central Motors[2] at its "Headquarter plant".
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Toyota's WiLL Vi Bound For Sydney Motor Show". Autoweb. http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_53207/title_Toyotas-WiLL-Vi-Bound-For-Sydney-Motor-Show/newsarticle.html.
- ^ a b "History of KANTO AUTO WORKS". Kanto-aw.co.jp. http://www.kanto-aw.co.jp/en/history/. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
