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90 Series LandCruiser Prado 95RJul 1996

90 Series LandCruiser Prado 95R

Traditional 4WD leader Toyota was caught unawares by the unexpected success of medium-sized 4WDs like the Mitsubishi Pajero and Jeep Cherokee.So in came the full-ladder frame chassis Prado, featuring a full-time 4WD differential with two-speed transfer case.Replacing the crude Hi-Lux ute-derived 4Runner, it impressed buyers with its good looks, comfort, space and relatively civilised on-road manners – courtesy of its car-like coil spring suspension and reinforced body shell.Two engines were offered at launch – a 112kW/240Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder (3RZ-FE) and a 132kW/303Nm 3.4-litre V6 (5VZ-FE) – with the choice of a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.The four models were: 2.7 RV and V6 RV6, GXL and VX Grande.All V6s featured a 159-litre fuel tank and eight seats (to the 2.7’s 90 litres and five seats). Power steering was standard, while dual airbags and anti-lock brakes were optional.Value-added special editions included the World Cup of May ’98, the Getaway of October ’98 and May 99’s Snowy.

EP91R StarletApr 1996

EP91R Starlet

Toyota’s first real light car to be sold locally since the 1960s 700 crashed the burgeoning segment a decade late after stalwarts like the Holden Barina and Daihatsu Charade helped define it, and 23 years after the nameplate’s Japanese debut.The Starlet suffered from indifferent styling and high prices, but when the latter was rectified after Toyota entered the infamous cutthroat price war with the Hyundai Excel and Ford Festiva, sales soared.Against its cheap South Korean rivals, the Starlet offered lively performance from a 55kW 1.3-litre 4E-FE fuel-injected twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine, high levels of refinement, frugal fuel economy, dogged durability and a relatively strong body.The base three-door hatchback Life enjoyed the lion’s share of the sales, but there were other models too available at launch: the sporty three-door hatch Group X and well-specified Style five-door hatchback.All offered a three-speed auto as well as the standard five-speed manual gearbox. Dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes and power steering were desirable options.In July ’97 the range grew with the arrival of a five-door hatch Life model while the Style gained central locking and a tachometer.

Ford TaurusMar 1996

Ford Taurus

In the USA, the original 1986 Taurus, with its European styling and advanced specification, saved the ultra conservative US arm of the Ford Motor Company and helped change American car buyer’s tastes.To know this may help understand why the misguided 1996 Taurus Mk2, which allegedly cost billions of dollars to develop, was so radically designed.It was meant to maintain its predecessor’s reputation for boldness while sustaining its hard-fought market-leadership against Japanese models such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But many American buyers could not come to terms with the Taurus’ wilfully egg-like looks, and sales stumbled.At least over there, people knew what a Taurus was and where it belonged.From the outset of its Australian launch in early ’96, the orphan Ford’s prestige-segment pricing, relatively tight packaging and front-wheel drive layout also alienated it from traditional Ford buyers (who sooner chose the cheaper, better-balanced Fairmont or Fairlane instead), while its lack of badge credos did it no favours against more established prestige rivals.Still, it was well-equipped (dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, climate control air-con, cruise control, CD player), reasonably powerful, thanks to a 149kW 3.0-litre quad-cam V6 engine, pleasantly refined to drive and quite comfortable.And did I mention its distinctively offbeat styling?

Calibra YE95Aug 1995

Calibra YE95

The 1995 YE95 Calibra range added a 125kW/227Nm 2.5-litre V6 engine, available with a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.Other changes included dual front airbags, sports seats, revised instrumentation, improved audio system, new colours, redesigned alloy wheels (again) and a trip computer.The two 2.0-litre engines disappeared, replaced with a 100kW/185Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve unit linked to a five-speed manual only gearbox.But bad timing once again scuppered the Calibra’s chances of success the YE95 was released just as the compact 4WD boom – led by the Toyota RAV4 – was beginning at the expense of sports coupe sales.The three-tiered YE95 models were discontinued without replacement in mid-’98. Ironically, by the end of that very year Australia finally went crazy for a two-door Holden – the Commodore Coupe Concept that stole the 1998 Sydney motor show.That eventually became the super successful 2001 Holden Monaro.Timing, it seems, was never on the Calibra’s side.

Mk1 OdysseyJun 1995

Mk1 Odyssey

Responding to the then burgeoning multi-purpose vehicle (MPV – or “people- movers”) segment defined by the Toyota Tarago and Chrysler Voyager, Honda rolled out its homely Odyssey in the middle of 1995.Based on the Accord of the time, the front engine, front-wheel drive, double wishbone suspended Odyssey drove like the fine handling car it was based on.Its quality packaging included an easy access walk-through cabin, two removable centre bucket seats, a rearmost bench that cleverly folded or reversed into the floor, panoramic views all-round and a car-like driving position.All Odysseys feature dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, alloy wheels, power steering, power windows and power mirrors, while cruise control and an immobiliser were fitted from early ’96.At the same time a seven-seater option was added to the range.Performance from the four-speed column shift auto-only 104kW 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine was only adequate, in contrast to the refined handling, roadholding and ride attributes.Sales have been strong, owners loyal and resale residuals firm.Think of it as a fat five-door Accord hatch and you’re right on the ball.

K11 Series IMay 1995

K11 Series I

Although available overseas since the early 1980s, Nissan Australia didn’t market the Echo-sized Micra until well into the Mk2 model’s career in 1995.Engineered and built in Britain for European tastes, and offered in three and five-door hatchback guises, the Micra suffered from bad timing.Its British sourcing made it expensive just as its main (and often inferior) rivals from Ford (Festiva), Hyundai (Excel) and later Toyota (Starlet) embarked on massive discounting, effectively pricing the Nissan out of contention.Yet its exceptional spaciousness, peppy performance and excellent economy (especially from the advanced CVT auto optional in the mid-range SLX) should have won it more buyers.The base LX three-door boasted little beyond cloth trim and a radio/cassette player, the SLX five-door gained power steering and split-fold rear seats, and the sporty Super S (so-named to evoke the Mini Cooper S which inspired the design) offered anti-lock brakes, a tachometer, sunroof, bodykit and alloy wheels.All models featured a 55kW 1.3-litre twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine, mostly mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

X3 ExcelNov 1994

X3 Excel

The X3 was the third generation Excel that really put Hyundai, “driveaway” pricing and the light-car segment on the map in Australia.Hugely successful right from launch, the X3’s rounded good looks, spacious interior and savvy marketing appealed to a wide demographic, especially young, female drivers.Almost everything was new, including the Hyundai-designed Alpha II 65kW 1.5L 12-valve four-cylinder engine, longer wheelbase and dual-link rear suspension.The result was a more powerful, dynamic and refined light car.The five-door hatch and four-door sedan came in LX or GLX spec, while the three-door versions were known as Sprint and GX.The limited “Classique” sedan arrived in October ’96 sporting anti-lock brakes, followed by a small facelift and trim changes in April 1997.In December ’97 all Excels were fitted with a more powerful 74kW 1.5L twin-cam engine.But the overwhelming majority sold was the Sprint, enticing buyers with free air-conditioning, driveaway pricing and – from late ’98 – standard power steering.In April and December ’99 the Sportz Pack also included a CD player, alloy wheels and rear spoiler to the Sprint and GLX models.But the Excel’s reputation was tarnished as reports of suspect durability arose during 1998.And the aggressive discount price war with the Toyota Starlet and Ford Festiva has cheapened the brand and depressed resale values – much to Hyundai’s dismay today, which offers palpably better quality vehicles.The Excel name was jettisoned when it was replaced by the much-improved Accent in July 2000, reflecting Hyundai’s desire to distance itself from its former Golden Goose.

ST ProbeJul 1994

ST Probe

The front-wheel drive Ford Probe debuted in the USA in 1988.It was based on the third-generation (1987-1991) Mazda 626 Coupe (MX-6 in Australia), and was built alongside it at Mazda’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant.Australians had to wait until the Probe Mk2 of 1994. Again spawned off the MX-6 (the fourth-generation 1991-1997 edition), the Ford differed from its Mazda stablemate by being a three-door hatchback rather than a two-door coupe.And speaking of design, it is actually historic for being the first production car in the world with styling overseen by a woman (Mimi Vandermolen). How she overlooked the name then remains a mystery.Only the single four-seater model made it locally, powered by a 121kW/213Nm 2.5-litre quad-cam 24-valve V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.The Probe 24V’s long list of standard features included dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, alloy wheels, an alarm, cruise control, power steering and power windows.However, sales were slow as the sports car segment – then dominated by the Toyota Celica, Honda Prelude, MX-6 and Holden Calibra – began to slide against the tide of compact 4WDs.

SXA10R RAV4Jul 1994

SXA10R RAV4

The once-conservative Toyota launched what became one of the most significant cars of the 1990s with the original RAV4.The constant all-wheel drive Toyota (none of the front-wheel drive-only variants sold abroad were officially imported) eschewed the traditional 4WD practice of a separate chassis for a car-like monocoque body construction, but without losing the typical 4WD height, ground clearance and off-road look.Underneath it was part Camry (engine, some driveline components) and part Celica GT4 (suspension), with plenty of Corolla bits thrown in as well.With the resulting economy, handling, braking and weight benefits, the RAV4 soon enjoyed critical and commercial success, spurring on many other major manufacturers to the party.Initially a single two-door four-seater wagon body arrived, powered by a 96kW 2.0-litre 3S-FE twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.Power steering and central locking was standard. Options included anti-lock brakes, a driver’s airbag, a sunroof and power windows.In June ’95 the RAV4 five-door (SXA11R) joined the range.Addressing the rear passenger and cargo area space issues, the five-door’s wheelbase and length increased significantly, to become a full five-seater.The limited edition Oasis arrived in June ’97 in both body styles.

Celica ST204/205 (Mk6)Mar 1994

Celica ST204/205 (Mk6)

The sixth-generation Celica was larger, stronger, roomier and safer than its curvy predecessor – but it was even less appealing in design, looking like the three-door Camry coupe it essentially had become.This proved to be a big mistake for Toyota, as this is the Celica that (temporarily) conceded its sales crown to the bizarrely styled Hyundai Mk2 Coupe from 1996 to 1999.The engine was again the carryover 100kW 2.2-litre 5S-FE.In this application it was quieter and more refined, making the ST204R Celica a composed and comfortable sporty 2+2 seater.It was also commendably lighter than before. Reduced to a hatchback-only model for Australia, this Celica was split into two variants – base SX and luxury ZR.Initially, all featured a driver’s airbag, power steering, power windows and remote central locking, while ABS brakes were optional on the ZR. But bad exchange rates forced Toyota to drop the standard airbag from early ’95.During 1994, Toyota also imported 77 Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye cars at well over $80,000 each. This time the 3S-GTE turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine pumped out 178kW of power and 302Nm of torque.A limited edition Celica SX TTE of late ’94 featured special livery from the GT-Four rally car at no extra cost.In early ’95 both models gained a rear spoiler while a passenger airbag became optional.From December ’95 a facelift ushered in a new bumper, revised suspension and improved refinement. The ZR gained dual airbags and side skirts.In June ’98 another round of changes saw new colours and cabin trim, revised wheel and audio presentations and a driver’s airbag as standard in the base SX.To keep sales buoyant, the Celica SX-R of late ’98 added new alloy wheels, fog lights, cruise control and sportier cabin trim as standard.Toyota brought in 10,994 ST204/205 model Celicas in total.

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