Inline-6 · twin-turbo
Inline-6
Toyota Chaser sound (JZX100)
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4 more Toyota Chaser JZX100 sounds and Drive mode are in the free app.
Unlock all sounds freeThe Toyota Chaser JZX100 sounds smooth and silky at idle and builds into a sharp, rising inline-6 howl with turbo whistle on top, because the Tourer V uses the 1JZ-GTE, a 2.5-liter turbocharged straight-six with short-stroke dimensions that let it rev freely. It has the even, balanced tone of a Supra's 2JZ but a slightly higher, rawer edge.
What to listen for
- Start: a short crank, a flare of revs and then a quick settle into a smooth idle with very little shake.
- Idle: an even, steady six-cylinder hum, with no lope or burble.
- Revs: a clean, quick rise in pitch that sharpens near the top, with turbo whistle and air rush joining in.
- Drive: listen for the turbo coming on boost in the mid-range and the release of air between shifts.
Why the 1JZ sounds like that
An inline-6 fires a cylinder every 120 degrees of crank rotation in the 1-5-3-6-2-4 order, and its forces balance out almost perfectly. The result is a steady hum at idle and a clean, tuneful note as the revs rise, with none of the lumpy burble of a cross-plane V8.
The 1JZ shares its 86 mm bore with the 3.0-liter 2JZ but has a much shorter 71.5 mm stroke. A shorter stroke favors revving, and to the ear that tends to translate into a lighter, slightly higher-pitched character than the 2JZ, with a sharper top end.
The Tourer V and its single turbo
The JZX100 Tourer V uses the VVT-i version of the 1JZ-GTE, which replaced the earlier twin-turbo layout with a single turbocharger and added variable intake valve timing. It was rated at 280 PS, the figure Japanese makers held to at the time, and was offered with a five-speed manual or an automatic, driving the rear wheels.
In stock form the turbo and factory exhaust keep the car quiet and refined, in keeping with a four-door executive sedan. What you mostly hear under load is induction rush and a rising turbo whistle.
Stock versus drift-built Chasers
The JZX100 Chaser, along with its Mark II and Cresta siblings, became a favorite for drifting and street builds. Many cars run larger turbos, straight-through exhausts and blow-off valves, which make the 1JZ loud and raspy with a pronounced spool and a hiss between shifts. JDM recordings are often of modified cars, so what you hear may differ from a factory example.
Next to the Supra MK4, the Chaser's smaller 1JZ tends to sound sharper and a little thinner, while the 2JZ is fuller and deeper.
Frequently asked questions
What engine is in the Toyota Chaser JZX100 Tourer V?
The 1JZ-GTE VVT-i, a 2.5-liter inline-6 with a single turbocharger and variable intake valve timing, rated at 280 PS. Non-turbo JZX100 trims used the naturally aspirated 1JZ-GE.
Does a 1JZ sound different from a 2JZ?
They share the same smooth inline-6 firing, but the 1JZ has a shorter stroke and smaller displacement. It usually sounds lighter and sharper, while the 2JZ sounds fuller and deeper.
Why are JZX100 Chasers so popular for drifting?
They combine a strong, tunable turbo inline-6 with rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox option in a four-door body. That mix made them a common choice for drift and street builds.
