Toyota Sparky

Toyota Sparky: which version to buy

The Toyota Sparky was sold in one generation (October 2000–March 2003) as a Microvan with eight 1.3-litre gasoline versions. Every version is named 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT; the real choice is 90 hp vs 92 hp, RWD vs AWD, and 5-speed Manual vs 4-speed Automatic. Kerb weight is the only figure that moves with those choices (1080–1180 kg).

The Toyota Sparky was sold in one generation (October 2000–March 2003) as a Microvan with eight 1.3-litre gasoline versions. Every version is named 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT; the real choice is 90 hp vs 92 hp, RWD vs AWD, and 5-speed Manual vs 4-speed Automatic. Kerb weight is the only figure that moves with those choices (1080–1180 kg). Acceleration, top speed, fuel use, CO2, eco class, gross weight and wheel size are not measured on any version.

Specs that actually differ between versions

Same on all eight: 1297 cm³ Gasoline, 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, compression 10, bore × stroke 72 × 79.7, multi-point injection, fuel 92, tank 46 L, ground clearance 165 mm, independent spring suspension front and rear, ventilated disc front / drum rear. Power is quoted at 6000 rpm, torque at 4400 rpm.

There is no second generation to compare: production is one window, one body, eight mechanical combinations.

Engine: 90 hp vs 92 hp (same 1297 cm³)

Both tunes are naturally aspirated Gasoline 1297 cm³. Specific output:

• 90 hp versions: 90 ÷ 1.297 ≈ 69.4 hp per litre; 123 Nm.
• 92 hp versions: 92 ÷ 1.297 ≈ 70.9 hp per litre; 125 Nm.

The step is +2 hp (+2.2%) and +2 Nm (+1.6%). Layout tracks drive: Front, longitudinal on RWD, Front, transverse on AWD — not a third engine family.

On RWD manuals the 92 hp 1.3 MT is 10 kg heavier than the 90 hp 1.3 MT (1090 vs 1080). You still gain on mass per horsepower: 11.85 kg/hp vs 12.00 kg/hp. That 92 hp RWD 1.3 MT is the lightest car per horsepower in the table.

On AWD manuals both 1.3 MT cars weigh 1130 kg. The 92 hp car is then 12.28 kg/hp vs 12.56 kg/hp for 90 hp — same mass, 2 hp more. If you already want AWD and a Manual, the 92 hp 1.3 MT AWD is the cleaner pick: zero extra kerb weight for the extra 2 hp.

On automatics the 92 hp cars are heavier: RWD 1.3 AT 1140 vs 1110 kg (+30 kg for +2 hp); AWD 1.3 AT 1180 vs 1160 kg (+20 kg). Mass per hp still improves slightly (RWD 12.39 vs 12.33; AWD 12.83 vs 12.89), but the automatic 92 hp cars do not buy the “same weight, more power” deal that the AWD manuals do.

Gearbox: 5-speed Manual vs 4-speed Automatic

Every 1.3 MT is Manual with 5 gears. Every 1.3 AT is Automatic with 4 gears. Automatic weight penalty versus the matching Manual:

• 90 hp RWD: 1110 − 1080 = +30 kg
• 90 hp AWD: 1160 − 1130 = +30 kg
• 92 hp RWD: 1140 − 1090 = +50 kg
• 92 hp AWD: 1180 − 1130 = +50 kg

The Automatic costs 30 kg on the 90 hp pair and 50 kg on the 92 hp pair. 0–100 km/h, top speed and consumption are not measured, so that extra mass cannot be turned into a timed gap; it is still the only quantified cost of the 4-speed Automatic.

If the goal is the lowest kg/hp, skip Automatic: lightest overall is 90 hp RWD 1.3 MT at 1080 kg; best kg/hp is 92 hp RWD 1.3 MT at 11.85 kg/hp.

Drive: RWD vs AWD (and the 50 kg / 50 kg split)

AWD is always Front, transverse. RWD is always Front, longitudinal. AWD add-on versus the matching RWD car:

• 90 hp 1.3 MT: 1130 − 1080 = +50 kg
• 90 hp 1.3 AT: 1160 − 1110 = +50 kg
• 92 hp 1.3 MT: 1130 − 1090 = +40 kg
• 92 hp 1.3 AT: 1180 − 1140 = +40 kg

AWD is 40–50 kg. Ground clearance does not rise with AWD: all eight sit at 165 mm. AWD is extra driven wheels and extra mass, not extra ride height.

Stacked: 90 hp RWD 1.3 MT (1080 kg) vs 90 hp AWD 1.3 AT (1160 kg) is +80 kg for Automatic + AWD. 92 hp RWD 1.3 MT (1090 kg) vs 92 hp AWD 1.3 AT (1180 kg) is +90 kg. The heaviest car (92 hp AWD 1.3 AT, 1180 kg) is 100 kg over the lightest (90 hp RWD 1.3 MT, 1080 kg) — about 9.3% more kerb weight for +2 hp and AWD + Automatic.

Dimensions, weight, tank: what does not help you choose

Tank 46 L and clearance 165 mm are identical. Gross weight is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured. You cannot pick a version by cargo rating, tyre size, or range from official mpg: city, highway and combined consumption are not measured on all eight. The only measured mass number is kerb weight.

Performance and economy: all not measured

0–100 km/h: not measured (every version). Top speed: not measured. Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined): not measured. CO2 and eco class: not measured.

Do not rank versions by “feels quicker” using figures this catalogue does not have. Rank them by hp, Nm, kg, gears, and drive, which are measured.

Which version to choose

Buy the 92 hp RWD 1.3 MT if you want the strongest numbers the data actually give: 92 hp / 125 Nm, 5-speed Manual, RWD, 1090 kg, 11.85 kg/hp. Versus the 90 hp RWD 1.3 MT you pay 10 kg for +2 hp and +2 Nm, and you still beat it on kg/hp.

Buy the 90 hp RWD 1.3 MT if lowest mass is the rule: 1080 kg, 12.00 kg/hp, same 165 mm and 46 L tank. It is the lightest Sparky in the data.

Buy the 92 hp AWD 1.3 MT if you need AWD without stacking the Automatic: 1130 kg, same as the 90 hp AWD 1.3 MT, so the 2 hp costs 0 kg. Versus RWD 92 hp 1.3 MT you add 40 kg. Clearance stays 165 mm.

Buy a 1.3 AT only if you want the 4-speed Automatic. Cheapest Automatic in mass is 90 hp RWD 1.3 AT at 1110 kg (+30 kg vs its Manual). Heaviest is 92 hp AWD 1.3 AT at 1180 kg — 12.83 kg/hp, worst among the 92 hp cars. The 92 hp RWD 1.3 AT (1140 kg) sits in the middle: Automatic without AWD’s extra 40 kg.

Do not choose by generation, restyle, mpg, 0–100, wheels or gross weight. There is one generation, no restyle in the data, and those other fields are not measured.

Short map: lightest — 90 hp RWD 1.3 MT (1080 kg). Best kg/hp — 92 hp RWD 1.3 MT (11.85). AWD without extra weight vs the other AWD manual — 92 hp AWD 1.3 MT (1130 kg). Lightest Automatic — 90 hp RWD 1.3 AT (1110 kg). Avoid if you are counting kilograms — 92 hp AWD 1.3 AT (1180 kg).