ZZE138 Z (2ZZ-GE)

STORY

Toyota and General Motors ran the Voltz as a joint programme: concept and styling were settled together, Toyota took design and development, and assembly went to NUMMI, the two firms' joint venture in California. NUMMI began Pontiac Vibe output in January 2002 and added Japanese-market Voltz production that June, and Japanese sales opened on 20 August 2002 through Netz dealers, replacing the Sprinter Carib. A Corolla platform carried a four-door body with a glass-hatch tailgate and a resin-lined load deck; the 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE gave 132 PS net on front drive and 125 PS with flex full-time four-wheel drive, while the Z grade used the 190 PS 2ZZ-GE. A width of 1,775 mm put the car in the 3-number class. NUMMI ended Voltz output in February 2004 and Japanese sales stopped that April, though the Vibe ran on to a second generation until August 2009.