Toyota · 1970–2001

Toyota Carina

The Toyota Carina (Japanese: トヨタ・カリーナ, Hepburn: Toyota Karina) is an automobile which was manufactured by Toyota from December 1970 to December 2001. It was introduced as a sedan counterpart of the Celica, with which it originally shared a platform. Later, it was realigned to the Corona platform, but retained its performance image, with distinctive bodywork and interior — aimed at the youth market and remaining exclusive to Japanese Toyota dealerships Toyota Store. It was replaced in Japan by the Toyota Allion in 2001 and succeeded in Europe by the Toyota Avensis. The inspiration for the name Carina came from the constellation Carina, sharing a naming inspiration with the Celica, which is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial".

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Toyota Allion

All Toyota Carina data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (A10/A30; 1970)

The first-generation Carina was manufactured from December 1970, and sold at Toyota Store dealership channels in Japan, sharing its platform with the Toyota Celica sports coupe. Its European release took place in October 1971. Toyota was able to save development and tooling costs by building a family sedan and a sports car on the same platform and in the same factory. The Carina was a junior sedan and coupe to the larger Crown, and was similar sized to the Corona. Features included reclining seats with built-in head restraints, radio, clock, reversing lights and servo-assistance on the brakes. In 1971, the Carina 1600GT coupe was introduced as an alternative to the Corona 1600GT, using a 2T-G type 1600 DOHC engine shared with the Celica GT. The Corona 1600 GT was exclusive to Toyopet Store locations, the Carina 1600GT was exclusive to Toyota Store locations, and the Celica GT was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations. The chassis code was A10, with A15, 17 and 18 being reserved for hardtop coupés. Excepting the anomalous RA16 hardtop, A16 and 19 were used on vans (utility wagons). Beginning in 1975, A30-series numbers were used for some hardtop coupés. The wagons/vans of the first generation were not regularly exported. Carina vans entered production in December 1975. The A10 Carina was also exported to the US; its introduction and disappointing sales coinciding with the introduction of a 10% import duty. Cars destined for export were increasingly directed to European and other markets; US exports stopped after only two years; and Toyota continued its plans to manufacture in the USA. The original model usually featured a choice of a 1407 cc OHV (T) or 1588 cc OHV (2T) engine, choice of a four-speed manual gearbox, two-speed automatic gearbox or three-speed autom

Second generation (A40/A50; 1977–1981)

Released in Japan August 1977, the next-generation Carina was available in Germany in December 1977 and in other European countries during 1978. The chassis was mostly the same as that of the facelifted late Carinas of the first generation; the Van versions actually continued to use the old TA16/19 chassis codes in spite of receiving the new bodywork as they retained the old Van's underpinnings. In most markets Carinas were fitted with the same 1,588 cc 2T engine as its predecessor. In the Carina, an output of 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) DIN was claimed. The option of automatic transmission was new to many export markets. Japanese actor Sonny Chiba was the spokesman for the Carina in Japanese commercials for several decades. An estate car model was introduced to export markets for the first time, with the same heavy-duty leaf-spring rear suspension that had been seen on the late appearing first generation Carina Van, as it was intended for commercial use in Japan. In 1980, all models had revised front- and rear-end styling and headlights, and also received improved interiors. The following year, saloon and coupé models (but not the estate) were fitted with five-speed gearboxes as standard, still with optional automatic transmissions. Starting with this generation, fuel injection was available optionally on top level models. In November 1977, the 3T-U 1,800 cc engine emissions are updated. In May 1978, the GT 1600 cc was added, and a three-speed automatic transmission became available. The 1600GT 2T-GEU engine was made to comply with the Showa 53 (1978) emissions regulation, while output improved from 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) to 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp). The options list was updated to include a urethane bumper for impact improvement. In September 1978, the 3T-EU engine (1,770 cc

Third generation (A60; 1981)

In its third incarnation, the Carina followed the fashion of the time with a still more angular overall look and four square headlights. The Coupé was no longer a hardtop and was updated with halogen rectangular headlights, which were also installed on the Carina Surf (wagon) and were used in export, while the Carina Van received twin, round headlamps set in a black plastic surround. The car followed its predecessors in retaining a front-engine rear-wheel-drive configuration even though by then competitor manufacturers were following a trend of switching to front-wheel drive in this class. The third generation was first released two months after the related Celica, in September 1981, and was the last Carina to use rear-wheel drive. More precise rack and pinion steering replaced the recirculating ball used in previous generations; the A60 Carina used a MacPherson struts up front and a five-link, solid rear axle – except for the more powerful, fuel injected versions which have independent (semi-trailing arm) suspension at the rear. The RWD Corona shared its chassis with this vehicle, when it was updated the succeeding year. The Carina was famously used by private teams racing for Japan in the Dakar Rally in the two-wheel-drive class for both 1981 and 1982. The Carina managed to achieve four championships in the marathon class divisions. In February 1982, a five-door wagon series based on the Van was added, marketed as the "Carina Surf" (SA60G) in Japan. In export markets, wagons had been available since the introduction of the van model. The 1C diesel engine was also added to the lineup at this time. This 1839 cc unit had a claimed output of 65 PS (48 kW) at 4500 rpm and was offered in markets where fuel pricing and availability rendered it appropriate. This engine was a

Fourth generation (T150; 1984)

Starting from the fourth generation, the Carina shared the Corona's front-wheel drive platform for four-door sedans, differing only in having more angular sheet metal. The Carina RWD platform of the Carina Surf, and Carina Van continued to use the Toyota "A" series platform until 1988. The Carina continued to be exclusive in Japan to Toyota Store locations, while the Corona remained exclusive to Toyopet Store locations. After the Carina platform was realigned to the Toyota Corona "T" platform, shared with the Celica coupé and hatchback, the rear-wheel-drive Carina Coupé was cancelled once the Carina ED "four-door coupé" was introduced in August 1985. Between the Carina and Corona lines, Toyota expected a three-to-two proportion of front-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive models. In May 1984, the Carina FF four-door sedan (T150 series) was introduced. The styling echoed that of the previous generation, using four headlights and grille setup. The upper trim level model has aerodynamic headlight option. Rather than replace the entire line-up all at once because sales of the previous generation were still good, Toyota gradually introduced the replacement Van and Wagon models in stages. The 1,800 cc engine has electronically controlled distributorless ignition, and a 2,000 cc diesel is added. Other 1600 cc EFI "4A-ELU" engine, and a carburetor is used on the 1500 cc with "3A-LU" type engine. The 1800SE models were still offered. August 1985, the Sport model 1600GT, 1600GT-R, and 2000GT-R were added to the lineup. All with twin-cam engines, they received the T160 chassis code. The 1.6s use the "4A-GELU" engine while two-litres use the "3S-GELU" engine. The sport models had altered chassis, also the wheels were upgraded from four lug nuts to five. May 1986, had minor changes to t

Fifth generation (T170; 1988)

This generation was released in May 1988. The exterior sheet metal received rounded contours, as was in line with the fashionable design of products at that time. The Surf (wagon) and Van versions also underwent a full model change to bring them in line with their siblings. 4S-Fi is an 1800 cc engine type, 1600 cc of the 4A-GE and the specification for higher-power higher-cam-4A-FHE car, 1500 cc of the 5A-F type, 2000 cc diesel-2C. The 3E engine was fitted to the 1500 cc Van, which was also available with the 2000 cc diesel 2C engine. In December 1988, a full-time All-Trac AWD system with a center differential was added to the sedan (chassis code AT175). The 1587 cc 4A-FE is the only engine available for this new AWD model. In August 1989, the "G Limited" with the high-performance and high-compression 4A-GE engine is added; it has 140 PS (103 kW). In May 1990, only minor changes. The Toyota emblem in the back is changed to a bright tail lamp lenses bulging from three places and was changed from the previous split design (The front of the van was not changed). The previous generation was a petrol engine and is still using the 1800 cc the 4S-FE, 1500 cc with a 5A-FE type. For the front-wheel-drive vehicle 1600 cc 4A-FHE the horsepower is increased from 105 to 110 PS (77 to 81 kW; 104 to 108 hp). 4WD vehicles are still equipped with the 4A-FE type. Surf Wagon 2,000 cc 2C has been changed to a diesel (CT170G type). It could be fitted with a driver-side airbag as an option. Wagons and commercial vans were sold until March 10, 1992, when they were replaced with the Caldina. European versions included a 4-door saloon, 5-door hatchback and a station wagon. They came with either the 1.6 L 4A-FE or the 2.0 L 3S-FE engine. Earlier models were very basic, and the biggest difference

Sixth generation (T190; 1992)

The sixth-generation Carina appeared in August 1992 and was only available with a four-door sedan body style, while the five-door van/wagon models were replaced by the new Caldina. The size was also bigger than the previous model. Most of the 1.5–1.8-litre DOHC petrol engines from the previous generation were available in this generation. 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines with 4WD system were also available. Sales were somewhat sluggish as Japanese buyers were moving away from traditional sedans A facelift came in August 1994. The old 1.8-litre 4S-FE engine was replaced by the newly developed 1.8-litre 7A-FE engine. This generation was discontinued in 1996. Carina E. The Carina E was the European version of the Toyota "T" platform. It was produced in the United Kingdom at the new Burnaston plant near Derby from 16 December 1992 until 1998. Carina ED (ST200 series). The Carina ED 4-door hardtop ended production in 1998.

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