2018 Zenshi Taigi
The Taigi is a subcompact hatchback made by Zenshi and is well-regarded as the Tessitura’s “softer brother.” It shares the same platform as the Tessitura, but everything about it is, in a sense, “cuter.”
The FWD Taigi is powered by the 1.0L PF10-GDAT Turbocharged Inline 4 engine with power rated at 108 HP @ 6800 RPM and has the option of only a 6-Speed Automatic transmission.
When it first was released in Japan in 2008, the Taigi was originally meant for female drivers while the Tessitura was meant for male drivers. Instead, there happened to be as much male drivers interested in the Taigi in proportion to female drivers, and as a result, dropped most of the feminine accents it originally had in this generation.
Despite it being a softer version of the Tessitura, it has it’s own performance version, the Sports.
The Taigi Sports is powered by the 187 HP CF15-GDAT 1.5L Turbocharged Inline 4 engine and comes complete with a 6-Speed Manual, ZMD (Zenshi Motorsports Division)-tuned suspension, agressive styling, and the option of a viscous LSD.
2018 Zenshi Tessitura
The ninth generation Tessitura came out last year, which makes the 2018MY a facelift. Despite this, Zenshi improved the car further.
While bearing the same 125 HP 1.5L CF15-GDA engine, the facelift was given an extra gear for the manual this time around, improving efficiency, and in a sense, performance.
Just like the Taigi, the Tessitura was well known for being very configurable to the driver. For the 2018MY Zenshi plans to give Tessitura buyers the ability to customize their car into something that either fits them, or maybe give them more character, or to just express themselves.
Because of the addition of the Taigi Sports, the Tessitura XS-15T has ceased to exist.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no more performance versions of the Tessitura.
The Tessitura VS-15T makes it’s way back for the 2018MY with a more agressive look thanks to the shinka design form. Like before, the VS is powered by the CF15-GDAT 1.5L Turbocharged 4 cylinder mated to a 6-Speed Manual with their FWD-Based version of the Sequential Motion-All Wheel System, the SM-AWS/F.
The 2018 VS-15T handles much differently from it’s 2017 counterpart, however. While the AWD system on the 2017 model delivered more power to the front, the 2018 variant delivered more power to the rear, 40/60 compared to 60/40. This allows for the Tessitura VS to handle tighter and slide a little more freely.
On top of this, ZMD has redone the suspension from the 2017MY and made a more intense take of it for the 2018MY. And unlike the Taigi Sports, the VS-15T will come equipped with a viscous LSD from the start.
More to follow, will be bigger and stronger machines that have helped made Zenshi successful from their humble beginnings, two vehicles that have carried the badge proud and kept the legacy strong.