Under The Hood- Toyota Tarago

Today I am starting what hopefully will be a new series on this blog- Under The Hood, where we focus on a car or model line. Today's is the Toyota Tarago. The Tarago has become a cult car in Australia, and probably Australia's most famous Minivan, but what was it all about?

The Tarago was debuted in 1982, but really that was the second generation Toyota LiteAce. One interesting feature of this was a moonroof for two of the configurations. The engines offered were all 4-cylinders, both petrol and diesel, between 1.3L and 2.2L. It was also called the Daihatsu Delta Wide in Japan, and of course the LiteAce. The LiteAce continued with a new generation in 1992, but the Tarago had by then already changed into the Previa.

The first generation Previa (2nd gen Tarago) was debuted in 1990 and carried on for the entire 1990s. It was available with RWD and AWD, a 2.4L petrol and 2.2L diesel 4-cyl engines, and in some markets, a mini fridge. The Bentley I was talking about yesterday was not the first with this, nor was the Overfinch from a Top Gear episode. Other cool facts about this version include that it also has a moonroof; it is known as an 'eggvan' or a 'wombat' due to its shape; and that to perform engine maintenance, you have to remove the front passenger seat.

The third Tarago or second Previa was launched in 2000 and stayed in production for six years. It was only available with the 2.4 petrol. However, in Japan the Previa was available with a hybrid system. The third Tarago was not a noteworthy car unlike almost every other one.

The fourth Tarago was launched in 2006 and has just been discontinued. It was available with a 2.4L 4cyl again, and also a 3.5L V6. The hybrid remained in Japan. It has been relaced by the Granvia, a HiAce-based people mover.

But why was the Tarago a cult car? There are a few reasons. Firstly, the first generation was associated with the rock music scene in the 1980s and has been famous for that. Secondly, the 'egg van' appearance of the second generation. And thirdly, it's had such a large amount of continuity since 1990, and that's affected its status. In conclusion, the Tarago, despite now being a dead car, is still very much alive among Australians.

Not to mention the horrid taxi version.