Toyota Launches Redesigned 'Wish'

TOKYO, JAPAN – April 2, 2009: The Wish is a compact seven-seater minivan that has gained a solid reputation for its sporty styling, wide-ranging utility and comfortable driving performance—with sales of more than half a million units—since its launch in January 2003. The new, second-generation model has enhanced sportiness and comfort, and features significant improvements in driving, environmental and safety performance. The result is a vehicle that aims to meet a user's every "wish".

All vehicles in the series feature a new-generation engine with "Valvematic", which is a continuously variable valve-lift and valve-timing mechanism that achieves both excellent driving performance and superior environmental performance. The new engine, in combination with Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent (Super CVT-i) transmission, gives the Wish a maximum of 15%-better fuel efficiency than the previous model and more exhilarating driving performance. Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control (S-VSC) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) side and curtain-shield airbags—standard on all vehicles in the series—give the new Wish class-leading levels1 of safety performance.

Monthly sales target for Japan: 6,000 units

Assembly Plant: Tahara Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

Vehicle Outline

Powertrain delivers excellent environmental performance and exhilarating ride
Both the 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter engines are fitted with "Valvematic", which is a continuously variable valve-lift mechanism that controls intake valve-lift volume and valve timing. The mechanism produces optimum power at all speed ranges and provides advanced environmental performance, while engine and Super CVT-i control tuning emphasizes high response, exhilarating acceleration and increased fuel economy. Consequentially, the 1.8-liter front-wheel drive models achieve 16.0km/l in the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) 10-15 test cycle, with CO2 emissions of just 145g/km. The 2.0-liter models achieve 15.2km/l in the MLIT 10-15 test cycle, with CO2 emissions of just 153g/km.

The 1.8-liter, front-wheel drive models have a fuel efficiency that exceeds the level stipulated in the Japanese 2010 standards2 by 20% and the 2.0-liter models exceed the same by 15%. All vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.

Seven-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic transmission—standard on all vehicles in the series—allows the driver to enjoy manual-transmission-like operation, while the adoption of CVT Sport Mode and Dynamic Sport Mode also contribute to exciting driving. Paddle gear shift in 1.8S and 2.0Z models allows driver to shift up and down gears on steering wheel, giving F1-like, dynamic and responsive gearshift operations CVT Sport Mode (1.8S model) increases responsiveness of acceleration and deceleration Dynamic Sport Mode (2.0Z model) increases responsiveness of acceleration and deceleration, and is designed for sporty driving during cornering through use of traction control systems and electric power steering Selecting Eco Drive Mode optimizes alignment of driving force with accelerator operation and realizes energy saving in the air conditioning system, contributing to increased fuel efficiency.

An Eco Driving Indicator that lights up to signify fuel-efficient vehicle operation and an Eco Zone Indicator that shows throttle use aim to raise driver awareness toward environmentally friendly driving and are standard on all models.

TMC employed its Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS)—an original, comprehensive, environmental impact assessment system—when redesigning the vehicle series. Eco-VAS includes setting targets at the start of vehicle development to help reduce environmentally harmful factors by such means as the balanced reduction of CO2 emissions. Life-cycle assessment was carried out to achieve reduction in air contaminants and CO2 from vehicle throughout its lifecycle Review of materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts reduced volatile organic compounds and sometimes unpleasant interior odors to levels compliant with voluntary industry standards

Increased sportiness with elegant styling

Exterior
Based on TMC's "Vibrant Clarity" vehicle design philosophy, the dynamic feel of the stylish exterior strikes a harmonious balance between sportiness and roominess.

Solid front bumper and sharp headlights create emphatic front mask

Front pillars (shifted 80mm forward) and blacked-out center pillars contribute to spacious cabin

Door profile with sculpted surfaces and flowing character lines from front to rear create imposing side view

Sharp and deeply sculpted surfaces of bumper corners, hood and front lights convey vitality

Deeply sculpted trapezoidal shape of lower section of front and rear bumpers gives them lateral extension, emphasizing vehicle's low center of gravity

Side mudguard design inspires image of dynamic cruising

Rear combination taillights with horizontal emphasis reinforce vehicle's sporty image

Newly developed "Grayish Teal Metallic"—one of eight available body colors—expresses an air of sleekness and slickness

Interior
The horizontally elongated instrument panel, designed to invoke the image of plane wings, and the selection of a bright gray-beige as the interior color create a high-tech, quality feel.

Low-set, two-tiered instrument panel with meter hood projecting upward from main display, combined with horizontal emphasis of air-conditioner vents, impart high-tech, expansive feel

Speedometer and tachometer decorated with metallic rings emphasizes vehicle's sporty character

Titanium-tone finish on sides of center console (silver-tone finish on 1.8-liter vehicles), black lacquer-tone finish on shifter bezel and colored stitching on seats and steering wheel accents interior's high quality

Optimization of front-seat structure's ergonomics gives improved comfort, while slimmer seatback increases legroom in rear

Maximum width of luggage space (increased by 95mm) and class-leading levels of luggage capacity with all seat arrangements provide new levels of convenience

Comfortable, relaxing space with full range of safety features
The Wish Panoramic Live Sound System, which features 10 speakers placed mainly at front, rear and high up in the cabin space make for clear acoustics and a surround-sound audio environment.

The seat covers have been treated with an agent designed to envelop mites—a cause of allergy-related disorders—helping to reduce their activity in the cabin.

The vertical-adjustable range of the driver's seat has been increased by 15mm. This, combined with use of telescopic, tilt-function steering wheel, makes it possible to easily achieve optimum and comfortable driving position.

The automatic air-conditioner with "pollen-removal mode"—standard throughout the series—also removes dust and other impurities from the air in the cabin, while Plasmacluster3 air-purifying technology, which fills the cabin with air balanced with an equal ratio of positive and negative ions, helps prevent the propagation of airborne germs, mold and bacteria and aids the creation of a stress-free cabin environment.

The Smart Entry & Start System allows the front doors to be locked and unlocked and the back door to be unlocked with only a light touch on the door handle. The system also features a push-button for starting and stopping the engine.

Front-diagonal visibility has been enhanced by attaching the side mirrors to the driver- and passenger-side door panels and making the front pillars slimmer.

A 190-degree, wide-view front monitor can simultaneously display the ground in front of the vehicle plus the areas to the left and right of the vehicle.

An Intelligent Parking Assist system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect an empty parking space. The system then helps the driver when parallel parking or when backing into the parking space by informing the driver when to turn the steering wheel and where to start backing up.

An HDD navigation system is compatible with the G-BOOK mX telematics service and is equipped with multi-media and other advanced functions such as Map on Demand, which provides automatic map and information updates.

The S-VSC system—standard on all vehicles in the series—optimally balances driving power, steering and braking in pursuit of stable driving regardless of road conditions.

SRS airbags and SRS side airbags for the front and SRS curtain shield airbags for all three rows of seats are standard on all vehicles in the series.

The structure of the front seats, which is based on the whiplash injury lessening (WIL) concept, incorporates Active Headrests that shift to an appropriate position to lessen stress on the neck and reduce the risk of whiplash injuries sustained as a result of a rear-end collision.

The "Global Outstanding Assessment" body construction has been further developed to create an advanced collision-safety structure. In testing, the vehicle was subjected to 55km/h omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests. The vehicle body effectively absorbed collision impact by diffusing it throughout the structure, thereby satisfying TMC's independent targets for maintaining survival space and lessening occupant injury.

The vehicle body has been designed to reduce pedestrian head and leg injuries in the unfortunate event of a collision with a pedestrian.

"Welcab": Vehicle equipped with features to aid people with disabilities
Lift-up Front Passenger Seat models (Type A and Type B) feature a seat that slides down and to the outside of the vehicle to facilitate ingress and egress. The lift-up mechanism was made more compact to increase legroom for second-row-seat passengers. Type B comes with motorized wheelchair storage device as standard.

The Welcab Friendmatic models (Type I and Type II) come with enhanced power steering that makes the steering wheel easier to turn during initial acceleration and low-speed driving. They can also be fitted with devices that allow vehicle operation using one's hands only, for people who cannot use their legs. Type II comes with a power driver's seat with a seat-lowering function that makes it easier for the driver to transfer to and from a wheelchair.