16th Jul 2006, 23:05

The dropping it off the cliff comment got me thinking. 10 seconds of free fall (neglecting drag) will only get you to about 80km/h or 50mph. So you need to drive it down a steep hill, engine and gravity might get you to 60mph in 6.5 seconds.

18th Jul 2006, 07:23

I did not agree that Echo is not a fast car. I own this car and it runs fast. I agree that it would not reach 80km in just 10 second, but I can guarantee that it will reach 160km in just 20 seconds on flat roads, I mean not down or up hill.

18th Jul 2006, 08:59

Why would anyone want to drive an Echo fast?

It is meant to be an inexpensive economy car.

21st Apr 2008, 06:41

My parents have an Echo automatic that I've gotten to drive quite a bit. It isn't fast but I could see how some might be fooled into thinking that it is. The Echo is extremely snappy off the line. It seems to bring all of its torque into play at low rpm. An earlier comment about it turning over high revs at speed isn't true. On the freeway, like most cars, it is running around 2000-2500 rpm depending on speed. Still most of the fire is gone over 1500 rpm. So passing is a bit nerve-racking. Still it's an excellent car whose specs shouldn't be so uncommon in these days of high gas prices.

5th Apr 2009, 12:46

Based from comments the Toyota Echo looks like a perfect candidate for a "sleeper" car.. so Echo owners you might want to take note.

The echo only weighs 850kg (do the power-to-weight ratio) less than 200-400kg of a typical car.

It is equipped with VVT-i twin Cam Multi-valve engine. Multi-valve heads allow engines to have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character - thrifty when driven sedately but powerful in high rpms.

Echo Hatch has a drag coefficient of 0.30 (2009 Nissan GTR has 0.28).

Echo’s compression ratio has been set at 10.5:1, for optimum combustion efficiency and power output across the revolution range. Check your manuals to see maximum gear change. Also don't be afraid to floor the pedal since the echo likes to be revved. This will also help you take advantage of the echo's high torque at around 4400rpm.

Suggest not to change stock mufflers as it has unique features. The two-stage muffler improves performance above 3000rpm, variable back-pressure, and slightly longer exhaust valve opening duration (this means less loss of power when quickly changing gears).

Echo was ranked top 11 out 159 cars in Top Gear's reliability survey.

Other tips:

Use iridium plugs, it gives of 3 more horses (more if you car weighs less than 1000kg hehe).

Weight is the key so do away with audio devices and skirts anything that will add to the cars weight and focus on just increasing horsepower.

Lastly lighter cars have an advantage in a downhill attack compared to heavier cars during braking and cornering.

26th Feb 2010, 09:52

OK, so I have a 2003 Toyota Echo Coupe with a 5 speed manual transmission. I also have a 0-60 timer hooked up to it, and the best time I got is 8.0 flat... then again, I am not the best shifter...

The Echo weighs 2100 pounds, at least mine does... And has 108 hp and 106 pound feet of torque compared to my friend's 03 Tiburon, which is 3500 pounds with 176 hp and 173 pound feet of torque.. he gets only 7.2 0-60 time, do the power to weight ratio people, and aerodynamics.