The is a compact car manufactured by Toyota as a variant of the Toyota Corolla. Exclusively sold in the Japanese domestic market, the Sprinter was aimed to be sportier than its Corolla sibling and also using different sheet metal mostly on the C-pillar. The Sprinter was sold exclusively at the Toyota Auto Store (renamed to Toyota Vista Store in 1980 and Netz Store in 1998) while the Corolla was sold at the eponymous Toyota Corolla Store, which focused on economical cars compared to the more upmarket Vista store.
The Sprinter is notable for being used as the base vehicle for two joint projects between Toyota and General Motors in the United States, known under GM as the S-car. From 1984 to 1997, variants of the Sprinter were manufactured by NUMMI in Fremont, California, known as the Chevrolet Nova (1984–1988) and Geo Prizm (1988–1997).
Each generation of the Corolla had a corresponding Sprinter sibling, until the introduction of the E120-series Corolla in 2000. The Sprinter was indirectly replaced by a rebadged Corolla hatchback called Allex, which also sold at the Netz Store dealer network. While the commercial wagons were replaced by Probox.
First generation (E10; 1968)
The first generation Sprinter was introduced in April 1968, thirteen months after the introduction of the regular first generation Corolla (E10). The car was marketed as a fastback coupe version of the Corolla and sold at Japanese dealership sales channel called Toyota Auto Store. While the regular Corolla was sold at a different dealership in Japan called Toyota Corolla Store.
This was the only version to include the word "Corolla" in its name. Like the rest of the E10 Corolla range, the coupe was originally powered by a 1077 cc K engine, producing . The sporty SL trim was equipped with more powerful high compression dual carburetors K-B engine, producing . The engine was paired with either 4-speed manual (column or floor shift) or a 2-speed "Toyoglide" automatic transmission. The sporty SL trim was only available with floor shift manual transmission. In February 1969, minor facelift was introduced with new amber front turn signal, standard front 3-point seatbelt, headrest and interior improvement. Another improvement occurred in September 1969 with bigger 1166 cc 3K engine with output , while the SL trim was also upgraded with 3K-B high compression dual carburetors engine, generating . This new model with bigger engine now bearing KE17 code.
The Corolla Sprinter was also sold in Europe and North America as a part of Corolla's range. It was also the last Sprinter exported outside Japan until the Sprinter Cielo-based Corolla liftback.
Second generation (E20; 1970)
In May 1970, the Sprinter was released as the sister car of the second generation Corolla coupé, as the coupé was no longer exclusive to Sprinter. Toyota had promised its Toyota Corolla Store dealers in Japan that they would receive exclusive rights to sell the Corolla. In order to sell through the Toyota Auto Store dealer network, the Sprinter was no longer bearing Corolla nameplate, even though the differences were mostly cosmetic. The wagon/van version of Corolla (KE26/TE28V) was not available for the Sprinter.
The 3K/3K-B engines were inherited from the previous generation, with additional high compression single carburettor 3K-D and low compression dual carburetors 3K-BR engines. A 1407 cc T engine was added to the line up in September 1970, followed by more powerful T-B/BR/D engines for sporty SL/SR models which could be paired with new 5-speed manual transmission option in April 1971. The 4-door sedan version of Sprinter debuted in August 1971, together with the facelifted coupé. The coupé range received the 1588 cc DOHC 2T-G engine in March 1972, the vehicle was known as the Sprinter Trueno, the twin of Corolla Levin. Another facelift occurred in August 1972 and the 5-speed manual became available for sporty SL/SR grades with 1.2 L 3K-B/BR engine. The OHV dual carburetors version of 2T-G engine called 2T-B/BR was launched in April 1973 specially for SL, SR and cheaper model of Sprinter Trueno called the "Sprinter Trueno J".
Third generation (E40, E60; 1974)
1974 brought the third generation Sprinter based on the third generation E30 Corolla 2-door coupé and 4-door sedan. Once again, the differences between the Corolla and Sprinter were mostly cosmetic. The sedans received a more formal upright grill, while the received a sleeker, aerodynamic looking frontal treatment.