Toyota Vista

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The Toyota Vista was launched by Toyota in 1982 as a sister nameplate to the Toyota Camry. The name was introduced to tie in with Toyota's dealership network of the same name, and launched around the same time.

Each Vista model is essentially a Japanese-market Toyota Camry, with different front- and rear-end treatment; plus, while Camry is always a sedan, most Vistas up to V40 are hardtop. When the Camry was redesigned, so was the Vista. This pattern will continue until late 1996, when a new, larger, US-oriented Camry took over the "Camry" name (earlier this larger CX/CV platform was marketed in Japan as Scepter (MCV10) and Camry Gracia (MCV20/MCX20)). Then in August 1998 the Vista would be redesigned, independent of the Camry.

[edit] Fourth generation: 1998–2003

While the Camry became a US-centric model with the narrower, shorter Japanese version eliminated, the Vista continues to embrace the 4700 mm (185 in) x 1700 mm (66.9 in) length-width bracket, legacy of a Japanese taxation law. With this redesign, however, Toyota decided to revitalize the Vista nameplate. The car is 100 mm (3.9 in) taller than its predecessor.

This Vista is significant because it's one of the first fruits of Toyota's company-wide platform renewal efforts. Studies for new FWD platform and packaging (layout) began in 1993 and appeared on market in February 1997 in the Toyota Prius, but the Vista is the first mass-production, FWD Toyota with a new platform. Toyota claims this is the first true redesign and re-think of its FWD platforms since the 1982 Camry/Vista. With this platform, Toyota trades rear McPherson Struts for a torsion beam axle setup. A double-wishbone setup reminiscent of the Nissan Primera axle is available for all-wheel drive—this will become the rear suspension for more demanding FWD cars such as the final Toyota Celica. Toyota also flips the engine orientation so that the intake manifold is in front, improving space efficiency.

The fourth generation Vista was available as a sedan, and a station wagon called the Vista Ardeo. 1.8 L and 2.0 L engines were available. The interior features a center instrument panel/navigation display.

Production for the Vista halted in July 2003, as Toyota prepared to merge the Vista dealers into the Netz dealership network. The move to simplify Toyota's dealership came in light of the pending Lexus launch in Japan, planned for August 2005. In April 2005 the process was complete and all Vista dealers became Netz dealers.