Remember the Toyota Starlet, a compact car only around 3.8 meters (12.5 ft.) long that had five generations in Europe, USA and Asia in 1973 through 1999? The mini hatchback left the market as soon as the Yaris model came to replace it, but Toyota will be bringing the familiar name to Africa this fall.
The important thing to realize is that the new Starlet has nothing to do with the classic car. It is essentially just a rebranded version of the Toyota Glanza for Africa, which in turn is a rebadged Suzuki Baleno. This wouldn’t be the first time the two Japanese marques trade model names with each other, but the outcomes are just as frustrating every time, aren’t they?
Compared to the current Suzuki Baleno, the new Starlet is nearly identical except for the badges and the radiator grille. It is already being produced in the Maruti Suzuki factory in India. However, while the Indian-spec Glanza ships with a 1.2-liter engine worth 83 hp (61 kW), the African Starlet will be getting a 1.4-liter 93-hp (69-kW) mill mated to four-speed auto or five-speed manual. The Baleno model ships in the same spec in select Asian countries.
The new Starlet is scheduled to hit as many as 47 African markets this year and will only be the fourth Toyota-branded vehicle on the continent after the Hiace, Hilux and Land Cruiser 200. Toyota Tsusho, the local car importer, says the range will soon expand to incorporate new light passenger cars and SUVs.