Okay todays a odd one, it's not often that I see a car and I have absolutely no idea what it is but that happened when I saw this thing in New Plymouth, New Zealand, so what is it? Well as the title suggests it's a Toyota Will Vi, How vaguely disappointing that an unheard of car what actually just a Toyota all along,
But let's let Perplexity tell you about it....
The Toyota WiLL Vi is an ultra-quirky, rare gem from the early 2000s—one of those “did-they-really-make-that?” cars that grabs attention wherever it goes. Built exclusively for the Japanese market from January 2000 to late 2001, only around 16,000 units ever rolled off the production line, making it a unicorn even in Japan and an absolute rarity outside. If you spot one in the wild, you’re witnessing a true oddball. (Me again - So what the hell was this one doing in New Zealand, they have a lot of grey imports in NZ and right hand drive market like Japan, so maybe that explains it)
The WiLL Vi stands out for its bold “neo-retro” styling, which was Toyota’s answer to attracting younger, design-conscious buyers around the turn of the millennium. Its most striking design cue? That reverse-angled rear window, meant to evoke horse-drawn carriages and childhood fairy tales—think Cinderella on wheels! The symmetrical front and back, ribbed body panels, and exposed trunk hinges only amp up its strange charm. There wasn’t a single Toyota badge on it, driving home the message that this car was all about individuality.
Under the skin, it’s much more conventional. The WiLL Vi shares its mechanicals with the first-generation Toyota Yaris (Vitz), running a 1.3L inline-four engine with 87hp and a four-speed automatic, ensuring reliable, if not thrilling, driving. The interior carries over the playful spirit with bench seating, rounded shapes and funky details meant to feel more like a cozy lounge than a standard car cabin.
Toyota built the WiLL Vi as part of a cross-industry effort with big Japanese brands to launch youth-oriented WiLL-branded products—ranging from cars to candy. The central philosophy was “playfulness and authenticity,” targeting young urban buyers who wanted something different and “authentic” for their daily drives. Despite its cool spirit, the WiLL Vi was never a sales hit, but its rarity and unapologetic style have given it cult status among collectors and fans of automotive oddities.
