Toyota Starlet

The Toyota Starlet was a small automobile (or a microcar) manufactured by Toyota from 1973 to 1999, replacing the Toyota Publica (and retaining the Publica's "P" code and generation numbering). However, the Publica name continued to be used in some of Toyota's export markets.

40 Series

Initially launched in April 1973 as the Publica Starlet 40 series, the Starlet was offered with 1000 and 1200 cc engines. Generally the car looked like a shortened Corolla. Variants available were 2-door Sedan, and 3-door wagon. The 4-door Sedan came in October 1973. Grades are Standard, Deluxe, Hi-Deluxe, ST, and SR.

60 Series

The 60 series, introduced in 1978 was better known, being the first to be extensively sold outside Japan. It was offered with 1000, 1200 and 1300 cc engines. 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks were offered in export markets, although a distinctive 5-door wagon variant was sold on the Japanese domestic market, Hong Kong, and Germany. Trim levels were Standard, Deluxe (DX), XL, S, and SE. In 1980 the car was facelifted to include square headlights, and again was facelifted in 1983 to incorporate a slant nose front end, and lower hatch opening. The KP61 was the only Starlet ever sold in the USA from 1981 to 1984.

70 Series

The 70 series in 1984 saw the Starlet finally switch to front wheel drive. 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks were offered. The 12 valve 1E and 2E engines replace the old K-series. The extensive Japanese line up consisted of Standard, DX, Soleil, XL, XL Lisse, SE, Si, Si Limited, Ri, Turbo R, and Turbo S. The engine fitted in turbo models was the 2E-TELU. For export markets the Starlet 70 series were offered as 1.0 Standard, 1.0 DX, 1.0 XL, 1.0 XL Lisse, 1.3 XL, 1.3 S, 1.3 SE. Minor change for Japanese models was given in 1987 with new nose, tail lights, bigger bumpers, and revised interior.

80 Series

The Starlet 80 series was introduced in 1990. It featured a more rounded body style and interior. Japanese models received new Twincam engines: 4E-F, 4E-FE, and 4E-FTE with CT9 turbocharger. Export models retained the 1E and 2E engines. The Starlet for Japan and Indonesia have a rear center garnish and therefore the license plate is mounted on the bumper. 80 Series Starlets exported to other destinations have their number plates mounted on the hatch centre panel.

In Japan, the 80 Series Starlet was again offered in wide range of variants: Soleil, best selling Soleil L, S, X, X Limited, Si, Canvas Top, the sports model Gi and GT Turbo. The sports model have different bumpers, headlights, and tail lights from the regular models. Sports bucket front seats and rear spoiler are also standard on the Gi and GT. The GT has 2-mode (low and high) turbo. The Japanese only Full-time 4WD models EP85 were offered in Soleil L, S, and X Limited grades. A minor facelift occurred in January 1992, with all Japanese models gaining fuel injection and the discontinuation of the X variant. A new front bumper and revised interior were installed, and the addition of a safety beam inside the doors were added for all models. The S, X Limited, Gi, and GT also gained a new rear center garnish. In Indonesia the new SE-G replaced the SE Limited. The SE-G has upmarket interior similar to Japanese X Limited, and shares the new tail lights with Gi and GT. The Canvas Top was offered in Hong Kong and Germany in small numbers.

The Starlet made its European debut at 1990 Geneva Auto Show. The 1.3 XLi was sold in most European countries. The sporty 1.3 Si was offered in Switzerland. UK model was 1.0 GL, which replaced by 1.3 GLi 3 door in 1993. For 1994, the UK models are 1.3 XLi 3 door and 1.3 GLi 5 door.

The second minor update was in May 1994 with new front end and tail lights. The full-wide rear garnish was deleted. The hatch trunk now has smooth panel with small garnishes. The Gi and GT featured twin round headlights and mesh grille, also known as quad headlights. These minor changes were only extended to Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

90 Series

The Starlet 90 series, introduced in 1996, retained the same idea of a three/five-door hatchback. The Japanese versions were divided into 3 models: Reflet (normal), Glanza (sports), and Carat (classic). The Reflet (Base, f, and x), the Carat, and the Glanza S are powered by 4E-FE engines. The Base model was also offered with the 1N Diesel engine. The Carat features chrome ornaments, tail lights cover, and classy interior. There were 2 Glanza models: Glanza S, and the 4E-FTE powered Glanza V Turbo

1998 Toyota Starlet 1.3i EP91 (five-door)

The Starlet EP91 came to Europe in Spring 1996. Although basically all European models were 1.3 XLi, they were marketed in different name across Europe. Initially the UK models were the base 1.3 Sportif and the upmarket 1.3 CD (with standard CD Player and Sunroof). In 1998, the UK line up was revised with base 1.3 S, sporty 1.3 SR (with lowered suspension, spoiler, and sport exhaust), and loaded 1.3 GLS. The French models are Base, GL, and GLS.

The 90 Series Starlet shared its platform with the Paseo including suspension, engines and many other components.

Other Variants

Normally, Starlets were known for being dependable but dull automobiles, but there were exceptions. The Toyota Sera, made in the early 1990s and officially sold only in Japan, was the same car with a sports body and gull-wing doors. Only about 16,000 were ever produced due to their poor performance in frontal-impact crash tests.

Several turbocharged sport versions of the Starlet were also sold in Japan, including the EP71 Turbo S (1986-1989), EP82 GT Turbo (1990-1995) and the EP91 Glanza V (1996-1999). These have become quite popular in recent years in other right-hand drive regions such as Malta, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand as used imports.

The Starlet was briefly exported to North America from 1981 to 1984, when it was replaced by the Corolla FX in Toyota's North American lineup.

They were some Special Edition of 80-series sold in Europe such as 1.3 Jeans in UK and Germany, 1.3 Dance in Switzerland, and 1.3 Westwood in Belgium, all of these are based on 1.3 XLi.

The last 80-series in Indonesia was marketed as Fantastic Starlet, this is the 1.3 SE-G with bumpers, grille, headlights, and turbo-look bonnet from Japanese 1.3 Gi.

The range was replaced by the Toyota Vitz/Platz/Echo/Yaris range in 1999, but Toyota had been absent in the city-car business for Europe until the Aygo was launched in 2005.