ED2, Toyota's European design studio played a critical role in the way the new Yaris looks. It's an evolution of the current model, with its own distinguishing 'Vibrant Clarity' styling language currently employed in globally marketed products, but also in all future Toyotas heading for North America. Immediately recognizable not only as a Toyota but as the successor to the Echo, further details will be carried through, such as the Toyota logo which is prominently displayed atop the grille, with bulges that stretch from the front fascia, up through the hood. S-shaped doors
give extra flair to the body, allowing vibrant new colours like copper orange and bayou blue mica to 'jump' off the body. The end result is a vehicle that defies the stereotype that subcompacts must be boxy and plain, and it's certainly not your Aunt Abigail's beige Tercel.
Like its exterior, the Yaris' interior theme is of a European nature, taking hints from many of Toyota's European designs such as the Corolla Verso and Avensis. Toyota's 'Loop Style Concept' creates a wrap-around look from the door arm rests sweeping up through the pillars and headliner. The car maintains its unique centrally-mounted instrument pod; with Optitron electroluminescent gauges. Its position allows drivers to maintain a field of view of the road including the gauge pod. Similar to Mitsubishi's European-market Colt, the Yaris adopts a narrow vertical spar for the climate control. After spending time inside the car, it's safe to say that the build quality is excellent, even on this pre-production model, with tight and consistent panel gaps.
Smart packaging, such as space-saving torsion beam rear suspension and a choice to push the wheels to each corner makes for unrivaled interior room within the category, providing Corolla-levels of space and comfort within tiny dimensions. A flat rear floor allows three occupants to ride on board in back without feeling like sardines in a tin, while on the five-door RS model, the rear seats are moveable to further increase available legroom, or maximize cargo space. There are over a dozen well-placed
cubbies and pockets for storing and reducing clutter in the cabin, including pockets on the centre console and a twin glove box. The trunk holds several clever bins and hidden 'sub floors', ideal for carrying everything from wet or muddy boots to umbrellas or small loose parcels.
All versions of the Yaris are powered by a 1.5-litre inline-four that features Toyota's VVT-I variable valve timing system. While power and torque outputs remain the same at 106-horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, it has been tweaked to deliver power at lower revs, making it better suited for urban driving. The small-displacement engine not only sips fuel with expected ratings equal or less to the current car, but its ULEVII (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II rating is remarkably environmentally friendly. It's also reasonably quick, with only 1,043 kg (2,320 lbs) to haul around; 100 km/h is reached in 8.5 seconds. Rumours have it that a performance model available off the showroom floor could pack 140-hp, which could mean a 1.8-litre motor or the addition of a TRD supercharger. Toyota is tight-lipped, of course, on confirming information. For the current range, buyers can opt for either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
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| The Yaris is a vehicle that defies the stereotype that subcompacts must be boxy and plain. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Like its exterior, the Yaris' interior theme is of a European nature, taking hints from many of Toyota's European designs such as the Corolla Verso and Avensis. Toyota's 'Loop Style Concept' creates a wrap-around look from the door arm rests sweeping up through the pillars and headliner. The car maintains its unique centrally-mounted instrument pod; with Optitron electroluminescent gauges. Its position allows drivers to maintain a field of view of the road including the gauge pod. Similar to Mitsubishi's European-market Colt, the Yaris adopts a narrow vertical spar for the climate control. After spending time inside the car, it's safe to say that the build quality is excellent, even on this pre-production model, with tight and consistent panel gaps.
Smart packaging, such as space-saving torsion beam rear suspension and a choice to push the wheels to each corner makes for unrivaled interior room within the category, providing Corolla-levels of space and comfort within tiny dimensions. A flat rear floor allows three occupants to ride on board in back without feeling like sardines in a tin, while on the five-door RS model, the rear seats are moveable to further increase available legroom, or maximize cargo space. There are over a dozen well-placed
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| All versions of the Yaris are powered by a 1.5-litre inline-four that features Toyota's VVT-I variable valve timing system. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
All versions of the Yaris are powered by a 1.5-litre inline-four that features Toyota's VVT-I variable valve timing system. While power and torque outputs remain the same at 106-horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, it has been tweaked to deliver power at lower revs, making it better suited for urban driving. The small-displacement engine not only sips fuel with expected ratings equal or less to the current car, but its ULEVII (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II rating is remarkably environmentally friendly. It's also reasonably quick, with only 1,043 kg (2,320 lbs) to haul around; 100 km/h is reached in 8.5 seconds. Rumours have it that a performance model available off the showroom floor could pack 140-hp, which could mean a 1.8-litre motor or the addition of a TRD supercharger. Toyota is tight-lipped, of course, on confirming information. For the current range, buyers can opt for either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.