The Belta's main goal is optimizing interior volume and cargo-carrying capacity, while providing low-cost, fuel efficient transportation.
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| The Belta's main goal is optimizing interior volume and cargo-carrying capacity, while providing low-cost, fuel efficient transportation. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
All major dimensions of the Yaris, bar length, were kept constant. As with hatchback to sedan conversions, such as the Golf and Jetta, the increase in length ends up forming the trunk. Toyota claims that this subcompact achieves 907 mm (35.7 in) of rear legroom, and an expansive 475 litres (16.7 cu-ft) of cargo volume, putting it on par with vehicles in the compact segment size above its subcompact status. With such impressive packaging, the Belta makes Toyota's next smallest sedan, the Corolla, seem wasteful!
When the car goes on sale in Japan, it will be available with a choice of 1.0-
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| The Belta's interior is very similar to that of the Yaris, its airy cabin offset by classy-looking fabrics and plastics. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
and 1.3-litre inline-fours featuring economy-maximizing VVT-I technology. Mated to the lone gearbox choice, Toyota's Super CVT-I (Continuously Variable Transmission), the 1.0 is able to return an impressive estimate of 4.5 L/100 km (52 mpg), while the 1.3 still manages a prudent 5.1 L/100 km (46 mpg). Destined for the crowded and gridlocked streets of Japan, these miniscule engines may be sufficiently powerful, but when the Belta is converted for North American use, the Yaris' 106-hp 1.5-litre engine is expected, with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
The Belta's interior is very similar to that of the Yaris, its airy cabin offset by classy-looking fabrics and plastics. Although it features the same central-mounted instrument cluster, the white Optitron gauge faces are different, as is the centre console which features unique HVAC and stereo controls.
