Toyota Revo

The Toyota Revo (full name: "Toyota Tamaraw FX Revo") is an Asian Sport Utility Vehicle (AUV) produced by Toyota since 1998. The development started in 1997 and sold in 1998. It shares the same chassis platform with the corresponding Hilux and Hiace. It had 3 generations, which includes the legendary Tamaraw and Tamaraw FX lines, but it retained it's body styling with refreshenings and trim additions. In 2001, the Revo and its rivals overtook the passenger car category with vehicles like Toyota's own Corolla and the Honda Civic. It was called the Revo because, according to an ad, "it ushered a REVOlution ."

The Revo offered 10 seating capacity and a choice of engines including a 1.8 Gasoline Engine, and a 2.4 Diesel Engine. Majority of Revos being sold are equipped with 2.4 Diesel Engine. Before being discontinued in 2005, the top trim line, the VX200 and VX240 received Leather Interiors,Chrome appointments,side-step and dual DVD monitors. The last Revo rolled of the line was last February 2005.

The Revo throughout this article refers to the Philippines Version.

Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 First generation (1998-2000) 1.2 Second generation (2000-2002) 1.3 Third generation (2003-2005) 2 Competitors 3 Awards 4 In Popular Culture 5 External links 6 See also

[edit] History First generation Production 1998-2000 Assembly Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines Body style(s) 5-door Asian Sport Utility Vehicle Transmission(s) 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic Wheelbase 2650 mm (104 in) Length 4535 mm (179 in) Width 1710 mm (67 in) Height 1815 mm (71 in)

[edit] First generation (1998-2000) The Toyota Tamaraw FX Revo was introduced in 1998 to compete in the Asian Sport Utility or commonly known as AUV segment and to replace the Tamaraw FX. Engine choices include a 1.8 and 2.0 for the gasoline engine and 2.4 diesel engine. Trim lines available are the DLX (entry level), GL, GLX, SR (Sport Runner) and the high end LXV (with distinct livery and gold-trimmed badges). The DLX has a vinyl interior, a 2 spoke steering wheel, a 2 speaker radio/tape set-up and steel wheels with center ornaments. The GL grade has steel wheels with hubcaps, a 4 speaker radio/tape set-up and a fabric interior. The GLX, SR and LXV has a 6 speaker radio/tape set-up, fog lamps, alloy wheels, a rear wiper and all power amenities. Body graphics are exclusive to the SR and LXV only. The SR has the word "SPORT RUNNER" written in a font set similar to the one used for the Toyota Supra. It sold very well, in 1998 it accumulated a total sales of 7,700 units. Safety features were non evident except for safety belts, Load Sensing Proportioning Valve and Door impact beams.

1998 Toyota Revo SRThe first released diesel powered Revos are notorious for being smoke belchers, among other diesels at that time, with some complaints from owners.

DLX Front (1998 Model)Second generation (freshened) Production 2000-2003 Assembly Santa Rosa Laguna Philippines Body style(s) 5-door Asian Sport Utility Vehicle(SUV or AUV) Engine(s) 1.8 liter,2.0 liter gasoline engine and 2.4 liter diesel engine Transmission(s) 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic Wheelbase 2650 mm (104 in) Length 4535 mm (179 in) Width 1710 mm (67 in) Height 1815 mm (71 in)

[edit] Second generation (2000-2002) For 2000, Toyota revised the Revo, with badge changes and trim line revamp. Engine choices include the 1.8 and 2.0 gasoline liter engines and a 2.4 diesel engine. The 2L diesel engine has been revised to address smoke belching complaints. The Revo received a facelift featuring clear halogen headlamps, new wheels, new interiors and availability of new colors. Trim lines includes the DLX (entry level), GL, GSX, GLX, SR (Sport Runner), VX200, and the limited edition SR-J and VX200-J (part of Toyota's series of J, or Japan-spec, vehicles, which extended to the Hilux). The VX line eventually replaced the LXV; and the GSX is a whole new variant.

The DLX, the entry level, has no power features or a tachometer, and equipped only with a tape deck/radio receiver, speakers in the front seats only, vinyl interior and it has 14 inch steel wheels with center ornament. The GL is the "higher-end entry-level" with radio-cd set-up,fabric interior, tachometer, and steel wheels with hubcaps. The remaining lines has all-power features, CD player/radio receiver and six speaker setup (but upgradable to a DVD player setup), as well as rear window defoggers. The VX and SR-J lines have leather seats and TV screens in the dashboard and the headrests. Only the SR-J, a special version of the SR (distinct wheels, unique livery), the GSX and the VX200 and VX200J had 2.0 liter gasoline engines and power fender-mounted antenna. Front facing third row seats were made as an option, a rarity on AUV's at that time.

Third generation (refresh) Production 2003-2005 Assembly Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines Body style(s) 5-door SUV Engine(s) 1.8 liter gasoline 2.0 liter gasoline 2.4 liter diesel Transmission(s) 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic Wheelbase 2650 mm (104 in) Length 4535 mm (179 in) Width 1719 mm (68 in) Height 1815 mm (71 in)

[edit] Third generation (2003-2005) The VX-240D (2 L diesel) was introduced to the new line-up. The Revo received its third and last refreshing. With the discontinuation of the J series of Toyota vehicles, the SR-J and VX200-J trim lines have been discontinued. It received a badge revision, availability of new colors and exterior and interior details, including a 3 spoke steering wheel with a chrome Toyota logo, larger headlights, Land Cruiser style tail lights, upgraded audio systems and other additional features. The top trim (VX grade) received upgraded leather seats and upgraded Entertainment systems. For the SR, a new livery was introduced, as well as the words "SPORT RUNNER" executed in plain text, discontinuing the use of the font used for the Supra.

It had good sales expectations but it was discontinued in 2005 with no reasons at all with the advent of the IMV Project's first output, the Innova. The last Revos were either sold to rental fleets, Police Departments, or people who want to snap the last few examples.

2005 Toyota Revo [edit] Competitors The Revo, throughout the years, had its fair share of competition. Isuzu introduced the Hi-Lander and its evolution Crosswind; and Mitsubishi imported the Mitsubishi Freeca design from Taiwan and launched it as the Adventure. Honda joined the fray by reclassifying its CR-V SUV (which had a 3rd row seat) into an AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle) just to compete with the Revo. Mazda even had a try with the two-liter Tribute. Ford brought the Escape in 2003. Other head-on rivals included the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsbishi Pajero (Field Master Variant), and the Ford Everest. But if the Revo was still on sale, it would have rivaled Toyota's own Innova and Fortuner, and the Mitsubishi Fuzion--the Revo's eventual replacements.

Other competitors would have been the Nissan Grand Livina, Hyundai Starex (now called Grand Starex), Kia Carens, and even numerous SUV's such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and even Toyota's own Toyota Rav4.

[edit] Awards C! Magazine AUV of the year (2005) Auto Focus AUV of the year People's Choice (2005)

[edit] In Popular Culture Revos are used as NAIA's Coupon Taxi, or Megataxis. It is also a family hauler and police car. It was also raffled off at promos. It was also once a status symbol car, it being an executive chariot. Most lower-spec Revos were upgraded backyard style to replicate mostly the SR trim. Some tricycles and jeepneys in the Philippines shamelessly incorporate the "SPORT RUNNER" phrase in their colorful livery. The Revo were included in the most influential vehicles in the Philippines, from Top Gear November 2008 issue.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Toyota Revo  

[1] - Review of the 2003 Revo [2] - Review of the 2001 Revo [3]- Car club dedicated to Revo owners [4]- An online forum

[edit] See also Toyota Kijang Toyota Innova