The is a four-door B-pillar hardtop sedan version of the Toyota Sprinter sedan produced between 1992 and 1998 (series E100 Corolla) for sale in Japan. The is a slightly restyled version of the Sprinter Marino, as was common practice by Japanese automakers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Overview The Sprinter Marino is named for Marino, Italy and was exclusive to Toyota Vista Store locations. While the Corolla Ceres is named after Ceres in Roman mythology and was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations.
Both vehicles were built for Toyota under contract by Kanto Auto Works. The hardtop approach was used on various segments of core Toyota sedans by offering a more upscale hardtop version. These cars were offered for consumers who wanted the luxurious approach offered by the Crown hardtop, as well as the Mark II-Cresta-Chaser trio, and the next segment down on the hardtops version of Corona and Carina duo, called the Corona EXiV and the Carina ED which were all offered at reduced prices and reduced tax liability based on the vehicles size and engine displacement. The Ceres/Marino twins saw competition from other Japanese manufacturers in this size classification, such as the Nissan Presea, the Mazda Lantis and the Honda Integra.
The facelifted model was released in May 1994 with minor refreshments. Due to cost-cutting efforts as a result of the Japanese economic recession caused by the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble, both vehicles were discontinued in June 1998.
The market segment occupied by the Sprinter Marino and Corolla Ceres was served by a new concept of vehicles Toyota manufactured under the WiLL brand, that was shared with products from other Japanese manufacturers and service providers.
Gallery
Powertrain +CodeYearEnginePowerTorqueTransmissionTrimAE100May 1992 – May 1995 5A-FE I45-speed C50 manual4-speed A240L automaticFF Extra PackageBlack Special Edition (December 1994) May 1995 – July 1998FF Extra PackageF Limited (August 1995 and December 1996) AE101 May 1992 – April 1997 4A-FE I45-speed C50 manual4-speed A245E automaticXX Extra PackageBlack Marino/Ceres (December 1992)Black Special Edition (December 1994)X Limited (August 1995 and December 1996)April 1997 – July 1998XX Extra Package May 1992 – May 1995 4A-GE "Silver Top" I4 5-speed C52 manual4-speed A245E automaticGG Extra PackageBlack Marino/Ceres G (December 1992) May 1995 – July 1998 4A-GE "Black Top" I46-speed C56 manual4-speed A245E automaticGG Extra Package
Safety Automatic door locking was a mandatory feature on the vehicle beginning in its first year of production (1991) – as per Japanese vehicular law (1991) whereby all vehicles for the JDM must lock all doors at . A driver's airbag was available as option since the beginning and later became standard in May 1996 along with ABS. In May 1997, the body structure was upgraded with GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) technology and additional passenger's airbag as standard.
References
External links
GAZOO.com Toyota Sprinter Marino X 1992 Car of the Year (Japanese)