2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
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Toyota Yaris Hatchback
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Year:2020
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Make:
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Model:
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Engine:inline-4
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Transmission:six-speed auto
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Horsepower @ RPM:106 @ 6000
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MPG(Cty):30
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MPG(Hwy):35
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Torque @ RPM:103 @ 4200
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Energy:gasoline
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Displacement:1.5 L
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0-60 time:8 sec. (Est.)
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Quarter Mile time:14 sec. (Est.)
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Top Speed:115 mph (Est.)
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Price:18000 (Est.)
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Bolder than ever, the Yaris is here to take on the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta
The 2020 Toyota Yaris is the fourth-generation version of the company’s popular hatchback. Previewed by the 2019 Yaris Sedan, the hatchback sports the same front fascia and side body panels, but drops the deck lid in favor of a shorter tailgate design. Now more aggressive on the outside, the Yaris boasts a more upscale interior packed with new technology and revised upholstery. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder carries over from the outgoing model, but it mates to a new transmission.
The fourth-generation Yaris arrives just in time to take on a batch of recently redesigned hatchbacks. The Kia Rio was redesigned for the 2017 model year, while both the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta were overhauled for the 2018 model year. The Yaris is the only hatchback from this list to come to the United States, so it will take a large share of the market. In Europe, however, the Yaris will face some stiff competition.
Latest Toyota Yaris news and reviews:
This Hydrogen-Powered Toyota GR Yaris Is Proof That Combustion Engines Can Be Eco-Friendly
Electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be the key to solving our climate crisis, or is it? Toyota’s hydrogen combustion engine that powered this GR Yaris is proof that the answer to the global climate crisis can and should be a multi-solution approach.
Chris Harris Goes Mad In The Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota wouldn’t be the first brand you think of when talking about exciting cars. However, the Japanese brand has been on something of a roll in recent times and the GR Yaris is one of the best examples. Chris Harris has driven and raced more than a few cars, so he is quite qualified to talk about it while finding out its limits. As you might guess, some epic driving is in store, and here’s what Harris makes of Toyota’s rally-bred hot hatch.
This Rendering Shows What a Modern-Day Toyota GR Starlet Could Look Like
There are certain cars we would love to have modern-day versions of. The list is progressively growing, as manufacturers shift their focus from fun cars to crossovers, SUVs, and EVs. That said, some of our favorite cars are getting a spiritual successor in the form of virtual renderings and this time, it’s Top Gear Philippines that brings back an iconic and somewhat obscure (to some) Japanese hot hatch – the Toyota Starlet Glanza V.
Thanks to Toyota, Lexus Could Have a New Baby Crossover In The works
The Toyota Yaris Cross, basically a high-riding hatchback with crossover ambitions, is one of Toyota’s newest vehicles and the company’s only subcompact crossover. Now, it looks like Toyota is going to share that love with Lexus, however, this news might not be a big deal if you live in the United States. The Tiny Lexus will share market designations with the Yaris Cross, which is currently only available in Europe, Japan, and Australia. According to the report, the Lexus crossover will be powered by the same 1.5-liter, hybrid, three-cylinder that powers the Yaris Cross. In that model, it’s good for anywhere between 90 and 118 horsepower with the electric motor – either 3.9 kW or 59 kW – adding from 5.2 to 79 horsepower into the mix.
It’s not likely that Lexus will simply rebadge the Yaris Cross, so expect the typical Lexus front end, nice interior materials, and – perhaps – a small increase in power output, at least for the higher trim levels. For the record, it would slot below the Lexus UX, which means that the trademark filing for “LBX” and “Lexus LBX” could have been hinting at its name. That said, the LBX is largely considered to be a concept, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens with that. Another rumor claims the sub-UX crossover would be called the Lexus BX, it would arrive in 2023, and would sit somewhere below the $30,000 mark. That sounds a little more like it to us, but we’ll have to see what happens.
Watch a Toyota Yaris GR and A BMW M3 Square Off In A Strange Drag Race
Have you ever wondered which car would win between an old BMW M3 and a new generation Toyota Yaris? Well, CarWow answers that question for you. The British Youtube Giant is famous for putting together some unusual drag races. They even did one with tipper lorries, believe it or not.
Do You Think A BMW E46 M3 Can Beat The Toyota GR Yaris On A Drag Strip?
The BMW E46 M3 is fast, but can it beat the hot GR Yaris in straight-line races? The folks are Carwow brought these two together on a race track for an off-beat series of races. The GR Yaris comes from Toyota’s performance arm, whereas the E46 M3 belongs to a class that is arguably the best generation – or at least right on top there – that BMW has ever produced. Who do you have your bets on?
Watch The Toyota GR Yaris Absolutely Destroy The Yaris GRMN On A Drag Strip
The folks at Carwow brought the Yaris GRMN to the drag strip to take on the new GR Yaris. But, little did anyone know that the GR is playing on a different field altogether. This came as quite a shocker because you would consider the flagship GRMN, which stands for Gazoo Racing Meisters of Nurburgring, to be the better one on a drag strip. I mean, it literally has “Meisters of Nurburgring” in its name. But, that was not the case here.
Toyota’s Hydrogen-Powered GR Yaris Engine Could Extend Life of the ICE
Toyota has taken the engine from a Toyota GR Yaris and modified it to the extent that it burns hydrogen as opposed to gasoline – a strange move for a company that insists that cars like the Mirai that convert hydrogen to electricity will be the future. This engine is aimed at endurance racing first, but could eventually find its way into production road cars. This new development got me thinking: can hydrogen-powered engines delay the continuous shift to an EV only future?
Watch the Toyota GR Yaris Get Beat On in First Real Test
Ever since its debut, the GR Yaris has been putting a lot of smiles on a lot of faces, mostly those of the car journos that had the chance to sample the feisty hot hatch. But the time has come for Toyota’s pocket-rocket to go rallying and looking at this video, it really seems up to the challenge.
2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota is in the midst of reorganizing its lineup and the Yaris Cross will be the next one to step in, as the brand’s newest compact crossover. With the Yaris Cross being positioned under the C-HR, Toyota will now have a complete portfolio of crossover vehicles. The model is aimed specifically for Europe, where compact dimensions, combined with a high seating position and rugged design are valued. The model will be assembled in France, where more than 150,000 units per year will be made. Here’s why Toyota is betting so much on it.
In the Right Conditions The Toyota GR Yaris Can Hold Its Own Against the Nissan GT-R Nismo
The Toyota GR Yaris is arguably the hottest subcompact hatchback available right now. Developed as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship, the GR Yaris packs well in excess of 200 horsepower and an impressive amount of race-spec tech. Some say the GR Yaris is the supercar of the subcompact market. But is it capable enough to go against full-fledged supercars? Autocar decided to find out by pitting it against the Nissan GT-R Nismo on the race track.
Toyota GR Yaris Meets Its Match in the Mini John Cooper Works GP
The world of hot hatches offers a what’s what of some of the finest pieces of automotive engineering in the world. For cars so small to offer so much performance potential, hot hatches are the Lord’s gift to those who want to satisfy their need for speed without bleeding their pockets dry. These days, the hottest among the hot hatches is the Toyota GR Yaris. This 257-horsepower juiced up critter is arguably one of the best cars Toyota has ever produced. It is, in many ways, a car that was developed to be more than just a hot hatch, but a testament to the performance capabilities of these pocket rockets that compels people to pay premium prices for the best ones.
The Toyota GR Yaris is on its way to becoming one of the best hot hatches in the world — if it isn’t there already — but before we can officially crown it as the best of the lot, it’s going to have to go through said lot, beginning with another hot hatch that punches way above its weight class: the Mini John Cooper Works GP. What better way to size up these two than in a good old-fashioned drag race, presented to all of us by YouTube channel Carwow.
Does The Toyota Yaris GR Even Stand A Chance Against The Honda Civic Type R On The Strip?
2020 had plenty of reasons for us to get excited and the Yaris GR is definitely one of them. Just when we thought there’s no more wiggle room in the hot hatch segment, Toyota pulls the rally-inspired Yaris GR out of the hat to every car reviewer’s delight.
The Yaris GR has been getting stellar reviews and pretty much every blogger, vlogger, and car journo is raving about Gazoo Racing’s pocket rocket. But can it face the current king of hot hatches and come out on top?
Toyota GR Yaris Takes on Honda Civic Type-R in a Wet Hot Hatch Throwdown
Carwow has been a constant supplier of drag races, and this time, the YouTube channel lined up what is arguably the most talked about hot hatch today, the Toyota GR Yaris, and put it up against one of the kings of the segment, the Honda Civic Type-R.
It’s not a fair fight on the surface — the Type R is far more powerful than the spunky GR Yaris — but this is the type of drag race where outright power and speed don’t immediately spell out victory. Add the element of rain into the proceedings and what looked like an unfair fight doesn’t look as lopsided now. Does the GR Yaris have what it takes to take down the Civic Type R? Time to find out.
2021 Toyota GRMN Yaris
The 2021 Toyota GRMN Yaris is an upcoming high-performance version of the fourth-generation hatchback. Toyota has yet to confirm the GRMN Yaris, but word has it the Japanese brand is planning to introduce a range-topping GRMN version of its GR-badged cars in a variety of segments. What’s more, Toyota recently tested a beefed-up GR Yaris on the Nurburgring and its appearance hints at an upcoming GRMN variant.
Just like the GR model, the GRMN is being developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division. However, development takes place under a more hardcore performance arm called Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nurburgring. The 2021 GRMN will arrive with a sportier exterior and various upgrades to the drivetrain. Let’s find out more about it in the speculative review below.
What Is This Weirdly Aggressive Toyota Yaris Doing on the Nurburging?
Toyota joined the subcompact hot-hatchback segment in 2017 with the Yaris GRMN. Powered by a Lotus-sourced engine and developed by the company’s Gazoo Racing division, the Yaris GRMN enabled Toyota to compete with popular hot-hatches like the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta ST. Come 2020 and Toyota unveiled a new performance model, this time around based on the brand-new, fourth-generation Yaris. It’s called the GR Yaris and comes with 257 horsepower on tap. That’s mighty impressive, but a new video suggests that Toyota is testing an even more hardcore version of the hatchback.
2020 Toyota GR Yaris
Whenever a carmaker takes out the good stuff out of its know-how box and spreads its on a new car, well, that’s when you know you’re in for a treat. That’s exactly what Toyota did with the GR Yaris, its second global GR-badged car after the Supra GR and at the same time a homologation model that will sometime in the future spawn a fully-blown rally racer.
2020 Toyota Yaris
The new Toyota Yaris is here and it means business. The new Yaris will embrace the carmaker’s TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform derivative known as GA-B. The TNGA is also found underneath the likes of Prius and Corolla, but it’s the first time that Toyota has used it to underpin a sub-compact vehicle. The new platform is also tweaked to support Toyota’s new fourth-generation, three-cylinder hybrid setup. Here’s every detail you want to know on the new Toyota Yaris.
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2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
The 2020 Toyota Yaris is the fourth-generation version of the company’s popular hatchback. Previewed by the 2019 Yaris Sedan, the hatchback sports the same front fascia and side body panels, but drops the deck lid in favor of a shorter tailgate design. Now more aggressive on the outside, the Yaris boasts a more upscale interior packed with new technology and revised upholstery. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder carries over from the outgoing model, but it mates to a new transmission.
The fourth-generation Yaris arrives just in time to take on a batch of recently redesigned hatchbacks. The Kia Rio was redesigned for the 2017 model year, while both the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta were overhauled for the 2018 model year. The Yaris is the only hatchback from this list to come to the United States, so it will take a large share of the market. In Europe, however, the Yaris will face some stiff competition.
2020 Toyota Yaris Unveiled With Modernized Infotainment
Toyota just revealed the 2020 Yaris sub-compact five-door, offering up new styling paried with automatic LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a large grille design. Under the skin, the Yaris is remarkably similar to the Mazda2, while up front, there’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making as much as 106 horsepower. The four-banger is mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission, while fuel returns are rated at 40 mpg on the highway.
Two will offer trim levels on launch, including the LE and the XLE. Standard spec includes s low-speed pre-collision safety system and active safety system, as well as infotainment goodies like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth support, and voice recognition. Running it all is a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while two USB ports and six-speaker audio round it out.
The Yaris is once again tiny, with an overall length of 161.6 inches, which is about the same size as the Honda Fit. However, the Yaris is still quite practical thanks to 15.9 cubic-feet of trunk space.
Look for the 2020 Toyota Yaris at the New York Auto Show later this month. Pricing is so far unannounced, but is expected to slot in at $17,000.
Here Are the Cars Toyota Might Kill Off
Like every automaker that’s worth its salt, Toyota’s bottom line is the most important thing the company has to take care of. And, with the U.S. car market experiencing a shift in demand the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time, the Japanese automaker is in the process of reviewing its entire U.S. lineup with the possibility of dumping nameplates or models that have become sales anchors on the market. A final decision isn’t expected to happen soon, but with the U.S. auto market getting dominated by SUVs and pickup trucks, Toyota’s model lineup could experience a dramatic shake-up in the near future.
2019 Toyota Yaris GR Sport
The Toyota Yaris GR Sport is the more down-to-Earth version of the limited-run GRMN. It features some sporty styling, but much of the oomph of the GRMN is gone, akin to a sheep in wolf’s clothes.
Last year, at the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota unveiled the Yaris GRMN hot hatchback to the world. A run of only 600 units was slated for 2018 for the car that was inspired by the Yaris WRC but, confusingly, presented itself with GRMN logos all round. GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nurburgring – so not really related to rallying. In any case, the 209-horsepower pocket rocket was fun to drive and powerful enough to excite.
Now, a year later, Toyota brought to the Paris Motor Show a GRMN for the masses: the Yaris GR Sport. It’s based off the hybrid Yaris, so the figures are, frankly, negligible, but you do get great economy. What is more, the car comes in the usual Gazoo Racing white with red and black inserts and black wheels. It isn’t a hot hatch, but it’s sort of a stepping stone, a ”warm hatch.”
Keep reading to learn more about the Toyota Yaris GR Sport.
The Toyota Yaris GR Sport Cruises into Paris with Updated Looks and Revised Hardware
The new Toyota Yaris GR Sport was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and it showed its finely built body, GRMN-tuned suspension and courageous face that looks for trouble. Limited edition Toyota Yaris GRMN was met with great enthusiasm from the car community, but that was just a highly limited car. The Yaris GR Sport isn’t. It also isn’t as special as the Yaris GRMN.
The Best Cars Under $15,000
So, you only have $15,000 to spend on a car? In most cases, that wouldn’t be enough to get you what you want, but if you’re looking for a no-frills ride that you can maximize with your spending limit, this list of cars gives you lots of options to choose from. Do you want a subcompact car that boasts impressive interior space? How about one that packs more power than you thought? What about a car that has everything you need, or at least everything you think you need at the price you’re willing to pay for it. The cars on this list could be the answer you’re looking for.
2019 Toyota Yaris Sedan
The Toyota Yaris (alternatively known as the Echo) first arrived in 1999, but it didn’t head stateside until 2007, with a second generation debuting for the 2012 model year. Framed as an entry-level subcompact, Toyota says the latest refreshed model seeks to combine “efficiency, fun, comfort, and safety all at a reasonable price.” Previously titled the Yaris iA, the four-door is now simply called the Yaris sedan, and it brings a charming attitude and a decent list of equipment for a reasonable price tag.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Toyota Yaris Sedan.
A New Toyota Yaris Sedan will Take on the Kia Rio and Nissan Versa Without an iA Badge
The Toyota Yaris will be ditching the “iA” badge for the forthcoming 2019 model year. That’s one of the many changes we can look forward to when the 2019 Yaris Sedan arrives sometime in the fall. In addition to the simpler and more direct name, the new Yaris will also be offered in three different trim levels, a big improvement from its predecessor, which was only offered in one specification. The sedan will also get a good diet of stylistic improvements that should get potential customers excited about what it has to offer.
2018 Toyota Yaris GRMN
Introduced for the 2015 model year, the current-generation Toyota Yaris is one of the most popular hatchbacks in its class and is already considered one of the most reliable and cost-friendly options on the market. However, Toyota has received a lot of heat for not offering a higher-performance version to go against the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTi. Well, it seems that the Japanese automaker listened and the 2017 facelift brought the first performance-oriented version of the Yaris. It’s called the Yaris GRMN and broke cover at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Inspired and influenced by Toyota’s return to the World Rally Championship in 2017 with the Yaris WRC, the GRMN gets its juice (surprisingly enough) from a supercharged engine and it’s the company’s first foray into a niche dominated by Volkswagen and Ford. Developed with Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division, and tested on the Nurburgring, the Yaris might have what it takes to give the Polo GTi and Fiesta ST a run for the money. Having a new performance, subcompact hatchback in dealerships is as exciting as it gets, but the Yaris GRMN needs to check a few important boxes in order to make a difference. Find out more about that in my review below.
Updated 05/15/2017: Although Toyota said the GRMN will be available in three-door form only at the official launch, our paparazzi spotted a five-door version testing on public roads. There’s no official word as to when it will become available, but it appears Toyota wants a performance Yaris with a more family-friendly appeal.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Yaris GRMN.
2017 Toyota Yaris
The 2017 Geneva Auto Show had plenty of supercar action, but the Toyota booth had quite the nice surprise for performance enthusiasts, in the shape of the new Yaris GRMN. Based on the
spec rally car, the GRMN is the Polo GTi and Fiesta ST competitor we’ve been asking about for years, but it wasn’t the only Yaris show in Switzerland. Alongside the performance version, Toyota also displayed the regular Yaris, which just received a mid-cycle update.
Now sporting a revised front fascia with more angular lines and a sportier bumper and larger taillights around back, the Yaris has taken a more aggressive stance against the competition. The fresh design is backed by a revised interior with new technology and an enhanced safety package, while the drivetrain department has news to share too. On top of the new GRMN model with the supercharged 1.8-liter engine and a mild update to the hybrid version, the Yaris also ditched the 1.3-liter unit in favor of a brand-new, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Powerful yet more efficient, the new unit also makes the Yaris quicker, which is a big plus with so many nippy options on the market right now.
All told, the Yaris gained quite the comprehensive update and it’s now one of the most modern and advanced propositions in this crowded niche. Find out how it compares with the competition in the my review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Yaris.
2017 Toyota Yaris Demonstrates How Auto Turnover Is Speeding Up
We all know competition in the auto world is absolutely ruthless these days. The pressure to make a sale is enormous, and that means each and every update has to be as effective as possible in order to keep a model afloat. For example, take the new Toyota Yaris. While technically just a mid-life refresh, this latest model year of the Yaris ushers in a slew of tweaks, refinements, and additions, which, taken as a whole, might qualify as a whole new generation just a decade ago.
It makes sense when you consider the Japanese brand has sold over three million of these things between 2001 and 2016. That’s a lot of Yarises (Yarii?), even when spread out across numerous major markets, including Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Clearly, this subcompact hatchback is an important model for Toyota, and as such, the company invested some 90 million euros ($95.3 million) to improve it. Many of the updates take after the Vitz, the Yaris’ Japanese equivalent, and include new styling, more equipment, improved handling, new safety features, and an updated 1.5-liter gasoline engine. There’s also an optional hybrid powerplant on the table, with 40 percent of the models sold in Europe being hybrids.
In total, the update consists of some 900 individual new parts. Read on to see how they fit together and why this is more than a simple refresh.
Continue reading for the full story.
Toyota Yaris GRMN Takes the Hot-Hatch Market by Storm
Introduced in 1999, the Toyota Yaris evolved into a strong competitor for the supermini market, gaining popularity thanks to its affordable sticker, roomy interior given the small size, cheap maintenance, and good fuel economy. But even though the Yaris has become significantly better with each generation, Toyota received a lot of heat for not developing a higher performance version. Now, critics can finally rest as the Japanese firm introduced the Yaris GRMN at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Inspired by the Yaris WRC rally car built in cooperation with Gazoo Racing, the Yaris GRMN is the Volkswagen Polo GTi and Ford Fiesta ST competitor that Toyota enthusiasts have been requesting for years. Based on the 2017 upgrade for the standard Yaris, also unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the GRMN has a sportier exterior highlighted by a unique front grille and foglamps, a more aggressive rear bumper with a center-mounted exhaust, a tailgate spoiler, and black and red paint accents. It also rides on 17-inch, BBS wheels.
Inside, the GRMN features sports seats designed for this car by Toyota Boshoku, a leather-wrapped steering wheel taken from the GT86, and aluminum sport pedals.
But arguably the most important feature of the car is the supercharged, 1.8-liter engine. Rated at "more than 207" horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual transmission, it promises to deliver "best-in-class times both for the sprint from nought to 100 km/h and acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in fourth gear." Specific data is not yet available, but the GRMN needs to hit 62 mph in less than 6.5 seconds for this statement to be true.
The drivetrain is backed by a custom, reinforced chassis with additional bracing, a suspension system tuned through extensive testing at the Nurburgring track with input from Gazoo Racing, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Shorter springs, dedicated shock absorbers developed with Sachs, a larger diameter front stabilizer bar, and performance brakes round off the package.
Continue reading for the full story.
Gather Round Hot-Hatch Fans, Toyota Will Unveil a 210-HP Yaris Soon
Except for a few nameplates that had the looks and sometimes the performance that recommended them for the sports car market, Toyota is mainly known as a maker of dull-looking and not-so-powerful, yet affordable and reliable vehicles. This has changed a bit recently though, as the Japanese company began using sportier designs and installing better materials in some products. More recently, Toyota took the small, city-friendly Yaris and turned it into a full-fledged rally car, feeding the imagination of those dreaming about a road-legal, performance-oriented hatchback. This dream is about to become real as Toyota just announced a sporty Yaris for the street.
The Japanese firm didn’t have much to say about the upcoming, yet unnamed hatchback, but did confirm that it will be unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March. The higher-spec Yaris will break cover alongside the new Yaris WRC, which makes its competition debut at the Monte Carlo Rally in January. The higher performance Yaris also signals a big update for the entire range, which will gain "new front and rear styling and a modernized interior." Toyota also promises "a raft of technical modifications to improve overall comfort and handling."
But, arguably, the biggest news is that the new range-topping Yaris will be based on a three-door version and will be powered by an engine "producing more than 210" horsepower. For reference, the most powerful Yaris available right now gets 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
There’s no word as to what engine will motivate the new hot-hatch, but Toyota could use a toned down version of the 1.6-liter four-banger found in the WRC car. The race-spec engine cranks out 300 horsepower and 309 pound-feet, but expect that to drop to less than 230 horses and 240 pound-feet. Of course, the engine in the road car will be devoid of most race-prepped components. I also expect Toyota to add a bespoke, quick-shifting transmission and a significantly beefed-up chassis for sportier dynamics.
Stay tuned for the details, we’ll be back as soon as we have them!
Continue reading for the full story.
2017 Toyota Yaris WRC
These days, Toyota’s motorsport efforts are focused primarily on Formula One and
style prototypes, but that wasn’t always the case. You see, back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Toyota played a major role in the crossed-up, dirt spraying, high-flying insanity that is the World Rally Championship, even collecting a few championship titles to its name along the way. Now, Toyota is poised to make its return to the highest echelon in rallying with a new race-ready Yaris, and by all accounts, its looking like it could be running at the front of the pack when the 2017 season gets underway. Like the rest of this year’s competitors, the juiced-up Yaris will be packing nearly 400 horsepower, a huge amount of downforce, an upgraded AWD system, and the sort of attitude you’d expect from an old veteran in the sport.
Thing is, Toyota is gonna have its work cut out for it, especially when you consider that the last time a Toyota stormed a WRC stage was in 1999. That said, the 2017 regulations are looking to provide one helluva show, with some folks drawing comparisons to the legendary Group B era of the ‘80s. That means each of this year’s competitors will be pushing into the unknown, and conversely, Toyota’s fresh re-entry might be on slightly more even playing ground than first anticipated.
What’s more, the Toyota effort will have an all-star list of talent to back it. But will it be enough to keep pace with Citroen, M-Sport, or Hyundai? Only time will tell, but for now, read on for the details on Toyota’s plans and the new Yaris WRC competitor.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Yaris WRC.
2016 Toyota Yaris TRD Sportivo
The Bangkok Motor Show ran from March 23rd to April 3rd this year, and as always, there was a number of manufacturers set up to show their latest and greatest. Toyota had a decent little booth set up in between Chevy and Lexus this year. Of course, it boasted a number of its current models, but one model that stuck out in the crowd was the Toyota Yaris TRD Sportivo.
As you probably guessed by the name, this particular Yaris was touched by Toyota Racing Development. Be that as it may, don’t get too excited about it because it didn’t exactly get the best TRD treatment we’ve seen in recent years. There is a pretty list of exterior options and some update to the interior to go with them, but outside of that, TRD appears to have left the drivetrain completely alone.
While it’s easy to rag on Toyota for not throwing on some of TRD’s drivetrain goodies, at least it did a decent job making it visually pleasing on the outside. So, now that we know there’s nothing special lurking under the hood, let’s at least take a glance at what TRD did do to make the Yaris TRD Sportivo stand out.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Yaris TRD Sportivo.
There’s just something oddly special about subcompact run-abouts that intrigue me. Perhaps it’s the small size and nimbleness that comes along with it, or maybe it’s the whole value proposition idea. Or maybe it’s just how wildly juxtaposed they are from some of the high-dollar machinery that often graces my driveway. Maybe it’s all three.
Well, I recently spent a considerable amount of time behind the wheel of a 2015 Yaris – Toyota’s version of the entry-level sub-compact hatchback. Between the normal running around town and hauling the family to hurtling down the interstate for a weekend-long concert I was somehow running late for, I guess you could say I gave the Yaris a pretty fair shake.
The Yaris may come in a three-door version, but the five-door is the more practical choice for young families or a college car. That’s how my tester came; decked out, in fact, in the Yaris’ top SE trim. Two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, and fog lights with chrome accents dress up the hatchback into something your high school friends wouldn’t have laughed at.
So how’s the Yaris to live with? Glad you asked. Let’s jump into the details down below.
Continue reading for the full driven review.
A full 18 years after Toyota discontinued its participation in the WRC, the Japanese automaker is looking to make a comeback with this battle-ready Yaris. Plans are currently set to see the pumped-up subcompact make its competition debut in 2017, with development now proceeding under the guidance of Cologne-based motor racing team Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG). Previously known as Toyota Team Europe, TMG is responsible for garnering each of the marque’s titles in this highest form of rally racing.
The last time a Toyota was seen scrambling for traction on a stage of the World Rally Championship was in 1999, with the Corolla WRC. That particular vehicle represented the carmaker’s final entry in the sport after more than 25 years of continuous rally competition, excluding a one-year ban in 1995 following the discovery of illegal turbo restrictors. Despite this singular blemish, Toyota’s overall record is good, including three manufacturer’s titles and four driver’s titles, thanks in no small part to the venerable TMG-prepped Celica GT-Four.
An assortment of drivers and engineers are currently joining the team ranks to prepare for 2017. But will Toyota keep pace after an absence of nearly two decades?
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Toyota Yaris WRC.
The Yaris is Toyota’s smallest and cheapest offering here in the United States, and it has long been a favorite of urbanites and college kids. With strong opposition coming from the Nissan Versa, the Chevy Sonic and an updated Ford Fiesta, Toyota decided that for 2015 the tiny hatchback would be getting a full visual refresh inside and out and to keep it interesting and desirable for buyers until the new car arrives in a few years.
Toyota wrapped the whole front in a new and interesting fascia that is closer to the family lineup, added more sound dampening materials to decrease NVH, and equipped every car with a new Entune stereo system. Our very own Mark spent a few days earlier in the year at the official press launch and came away impressed, but now it’s time for the real test. I have the new 2015 Yaris sitting in my driveway away from the glitz, glamour and watchful PR eyes of the press event. I have a full week on my local roads to give the new car a thorough test.
Are the upgrades enough to keep the car interesting in an increasingly competitive market? Read on to find out.
Continue reading to find out more about the 2015 Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is the smallest car in Toyota’s American lineup, but that didn’t stop it from getting an extensive mid-cycle refresh, complete with an aggressive new look and a redesigned interior that belies its small-car status. The arrival of the 2015 Yaris earned the car a lot of positive press, including from aftermarket publication DUB Magazine, who promptly picked the Yaris as one of its two showcase models at the 2014 SEMA Auto Show.
I’ve seen the Yaris up close and I can attest to its attractive appearance. It’s a far departure from the previous version, which admittedly looks bug-eyed compared to its meaner, present-day mug. Like its past SEMA works, DUB Magazine wasted little time giving the Yaris a dramatic makeover, highlighted by an aggressive profile, a racing interior, and a massive audio system that can make your ears bleed.
Through it all, the Yaris carries all the upgrades with aplomb. You wouldn’t have been able to say that with past versions of Toyota’s little-car-that-could, but the new Yaris is brimming with a high level of confidence that’s beginning to earn a reputation as an aftermarket favorite.
Click past the jump to read more about the Toyota Yaris DUB Edition.
The Yaris has been rolling down U.S. streets since 2007. Coming as both a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan, Toyota’s smallest car proved to be a popular choice for in-city commuting and those on a budget. Then in 2012, the second-generation Yaris debuted, bringing more refinement and better looks. The sedan version was dropped in favor of a new five-door hatchback version. The three-door and five-door versions soldiered on for three years with minimal changes. For 2015, the Yaris gets an extensive mid-cycle refresh, complete with edgy styling, more sound deadening for decreased NVH, nine airbags, standard Entune infotainment system with available navigation, and more soft-touch materials as part of a redesigned interior.
I recently spent two days driving and getting to know the Yaris with the help of Toyota designers and engineers. The drive routes consisted mostly of smooth pavement along the salty Atlantic shore in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. A few broken sections of road told even more about the Yaris’ build quality.
What’s more, the Yaris’ handsome new styling and 16-inch allow wheels made the compact hatch feel more at home along the golf course and rows of mansions. Sure, no one will mistake the Yaris for a PGA winner’s ride, but it certainly doesn’t stick out like a mullet at a black tie event.
Click past the jump for the full review of the new 2015 Toyota Yaris
For 2015, 10 years after its introduction, the Toyota Yaris is getting its second restyling with revised looks inside and out, a quieter cabin, a fuel-efficient engine, and all the versatility that comes with the three- and five-door versions. The U.S.-spec Yaris debuted in 2005 with lots of spunk and clever packing wrapped in an inexpensive sub-compact. Offered in both the three-door and five-door hatchback styles, the Yaris filled a niche near at the bottom of Toyota’s lineup. Refreshed in 2011, the Yaris continued its mission largely unchanged, save for a more modern design. Now for 2015, Toyota is improving the Yaris with more refinement and a better driving experience, while still retaining its superb value proposition. Starting at just $14,485, the Yaris makes a great city car or a sweet first car for a teenager. Its 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder will keep curious teens out of trouble with Johnny Law, while the expansive cargo area and decent back seat might land them in trouble with mom and dad.
Toyota has resolved a few of the complaints that plagued the previous-generation Yaris, namely the NHV levels inside the cabin. More sound insulation and more premium interior materials help push the Yaris’ feel upmarket, while it still keeps its low price point. With three trim models and two body lengths to chose from, the Yaris is a pretty customizable hatchback.
With the updated features and added benefits, Toyota may see the Yaris climb back up the sales charts to the level of its glory days in 2008 when sales of the hatch topped 100,000 units. Selling only 21,343 units in 2013, the Yaris was apparently in desperate need of a makeover. Let’s see what Toyota has done to turn up the heat.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Toyota Yaris.
It looks like Toyota is feeling a little left out in the performance-brand realm. Honda has long used the Si line, Subaru has the STI line, BMW has its M-Series, Mercedes has its AMG lineup and Infiniti has its IPL line, but Toyota has never really had its own performance lineup. It looks like things are about to change for the Japanese automaker, as Auto Express interviewed Toyota of Europe’s VP, Karl Schlicht, and he claimed that "We’re currently discussing sport lines for Toyota models."
There is no mention of exactly what this new sub-brand would be called, but we — and everyone else — assume it will carry the TMG badge, which is short for Toyota Motorsport Gmbh — Toyota’s racing division. There is also no mention on whether this is a Europe-only project, or if Toyota has plans to extend this sub-brand to the U.S.
What the Toyota Europe VP did make clear was that the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R super-hatchback will not make its way to production. That’s really no huge surprise, but it is still a depressing confirmation for Toyota’s star of the Frankfurt Auto Show.
We’ll deliver more information as it becomes available.
Click past the jump to read about the most recent road-ready concept that TMG released at the Essen Motor Show, the TMG Sports 650 Concept.
Toyota’s promise of showcasing its Le Mans hybrid technology on a road car will come to fruition at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, as it prepares to unveil the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept.
This new concept may seem unimposing when you read that it is based on a Yaris — blah — but save your judgement for something else because this is one sick miniature hatchback. With a TS030-inspired drivetrain in tow that cranks out in excess of 400 ponies, this is not your typical grocery getter.
This bad boy will likely give plenty of supercars a run for their money while hauling a few gallons of milk, a loaf of bread and laundry detergent all at the same time. All of the details are not available yet, but Toyota has released all that we need to know to be able to chalk this one up and a certified bad-ass.
Toyota will unveil the concept on September 10th at 12:45 p.m. in Hall 8.
Updated 9/4/2013: Toyota has just released more images of the Yaris Hybrid-R. You can see them all in the gallery.
Click past the jump to read about the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R
Toyota’s Motorsport division has its eye on a return to rally racing and they’re bringing a new ride for the occasion. This new model should come in just in time for the ninth round of the World Rally Championship at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland on August 24th to 26th, 2012.
The car will be the Toyota Yaris, the company’s lovable little hatchback that has been rechristened as the "Yaris R1A." In order to comply with FIA R1A regulations, Toyota gave the Yaris limited performance modifications that include a new racing exhaust, a catalytic converter system, shorter final drive gear, a new motorsport suspension with adapted springs and adjustable ride height, and cursory safety enhancements like the bolt-in roll cage, rally seats, safety harnesses, a power cut-off switch, fire extinguishers, and sump guards.
Talking about the new Yaris R1A, TMG president Yoshiaki Kinoshita said: "It is a great thrill for TMG to return to rallying, a discipline in which we enjoyed a great deal of success in the past. The TMG Yaris R1A is a completely different project compared to our WRC past; it is an affordable but exciting car which makes rallying‟s major events accessible to a whole range of participants."
For now, the Yaris R1A will participate at the ADAC Rallye Deutscheland as a "Zero Car" with Toyota setting a goal for their new rally baby to become the first car in the world to be awarded FIA R1A homologation, allowing it to compete in regional, national, and international competitions, including the WRC.
For a car that has been priced at €22,500 ($27,800), the Yaris R1A is already getting plenty of interest in the rally world. "We have already received numerous inquiries about this car so we know there is a huge appetite in the rally world for a new TOYOTA," said Kinoshita.
"I hope this is the start of a new rally dynasty at TMG."
UPDATE 11/25/12: The Toyota Yaris R1A Rally Car will be on hand at the 2012 Essen Motor Show in a week’s time. Watch out for it as it tries to gt some attention from the expected throngs go people headed to Europe’s biggest aftermarket auto show.
The Dark Knight Rises has been heating up cinemas for the past few days, so it seems only fitting that with the last part of the trilogy in cinemas today, we take a look at one of the most enduring stars of the famed DC super hero movie franchise. No, we’re not talking about Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl character from Batman and Robin. What we’re referring to is the Batmobile, the Dark Knight’s very own ride-of-choice.
In this section though, we’re going to pay tribute - we use that word loosely - to the five worst Batmobile replicas we’ve ever seen. Some are more eye-cringing than the others, but rest assured, none of them would pass the standards of Bruce Wayne.
Heck, we don’t even think the Joker would be caught dead riding in one of these so-called Batmobiles.
So here it is, folks. Prepare to cringe, laugh, or whatever emotion these pictures will do to you.
Find out TopSpeed’s five worst Batmobile replicas after the jump
Just a few short years ago, the World Rally Championship (WRC) was in crisis after both Mitsubishi and Subaru left the sport in quick succession. However, since then, newcomers Mini and Volkswagen have confirmed they’ll compete in the WRC in the next few years and if reports are to be believed, yet another historic racing manufacturer may make a return.
Toyota originally competed in the WRC from 1973 to 1999 and wrapped up three WRC titles and came home with 43 victories. A good enough record to warrant staying in the sport, you say? Well, it is a fairly illustrious record, but Toyota left WRC to instead focus on Formula One and we all know how that turned out. Not very well.
The Toyota Celica WRC rally car was one of the most recognizable cars Toyota entered into the sport, but despite the GT 86 and Scion FR-S recently being launched by the brand, Toyota has confirmed that neither will enter the WRC.
While discussing the topic, a Toyota spokesman said, “We’re leaning towards an S2000-style of car which would be available for customers first. This is a development project, but it’s very early days—the engine only fired up for the first time a few weeks ago. At the very earliest, a car won’t be available until next year. Obviously, this being a Global Race Engine, it could go in any car, but the Yaris seems to make sense.”
The Yaris may not seem like the obvious choice, but look at it this way; it’s a lightweight city car with an extremely short wheelbase, the ideal combination for rallying. And with the original Mini Cooper having such a successful WRC career with those same ingredients, Toyota could be on to a winner here.
At this stage, it’s very unlikely that we will see the Yaris competing in the WRC until 2014 or beyond, but either way, we’re still excited to see how having five manufacturers will spice up the sport.
Toyota is slowly staring to implement its hybrid Synergy Drive to all its models, the latest being Yaris. The new Yaris Hybrid has made its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and it’s the first commercially available B-segment hybrid.
As the Yaris is significantly smaller than the Prius and Auris, Toyota had to make its Hybrid Synergy Drive slightly smaller. After a few tweaks Toyota managed to squeeze its Synergy Drive system under the skin of the compact Yaris and the end result is a 1.5 liter gasoline engine combined with a compact electric motor and a smaller battery pack.
The two units crank out a combined power of 100 hp and the entire system is 20 percent lighter than the standard 1.8 liter hybrid drive train found at the other hybrids offered by the company.
Hit the jump for more information on the Toyota Yaris Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Toyota is about to add another model to its hybrid line-up and, no surprise here, it’s based on the company’s best sold model on the European market: the Yaris. The new Yaris Hybrid is set to make its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March with sales in Europe beginning shortly thereafter.
The new Yaris Hybrid will be powered by the first downsizing of Toyota’s HSD powertrain that combines a new 1.5 liter petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter, and battery pack. This new system is about 20% lighter than that of the engine found in the Auris Hybrid and will deliver a total of 100 HP. It will be mated to a standard automatic transmission.
Next to having a hybrid powertrain, the new Yaris Hybrid will also be offered with an exclusive, aerodynamically efficient exterior design. This means it will have a new, more assertive Under Priority trapezoid opening frontal design element with the Keen Look design implemented on the front lamps.
More details about the new Yaris Hybrid will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned.
The Toyota Vitz, or the Yaris as it’s known in a lot of international markets, isn’t exactly the type of car that would receive a sports concept program. Apparently, Toyota and GRMN, thought that it would be a pretty good idea. Thus, the Vitz/Yaris Turbo Concept was born.
Prepared by GRMN, which stands for "Gazoo Racing Master of Nurburgring," the three-door Yaris received some pretty impressive bodywork, complete with Gazoo Racing’s signature livery, a new grille set-up, a redesigned front bumper, a front lip spoiler, widened front and rear fenders, side skirts, a roof spoiler, a new rear bumper and diffuser, and a new set of 18" wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. In terms of performance, the Yaris Turbo Concept received an improved engine, courtesy of a modified 1.5-liter supercharged engine that produces 180 horsepower and 162.3 lb-ft of torque. The engine was then combined with a five-speed manual transmission, a new lowered sports suspension, and a high-performance braking system.
It wasn’t surprising to see Toyota and GRMN pull out all the stops with their Tokyo Auto Salon contingent. What raised our eyebrows was the impressive detail Toyota and GRMN went through to build a sporty and aggressive Toyota Yaris.
The Toyota Yaris B-Spec Club Racer is more than just an upcoming display at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show. It actually has far bigger objectives that that.
The car, which is the first of the 2012 Yaris SE generation to be built for race competition, will actually be competing in the SCCA B-spec class race in 2012. But that’s another discussion for another time; we’re here about SEMA.
It’s quite funny that a car that few people have time for is being showcased at a grandiose event like SEMA. To that we have to give props to the people behind it, most notably SportsCar Magazine, the fine people that responsible for building the car. Looks can be deceiving and you probably wouldn’t recognize this as a Yaris under that Toyota GT-One-inspired racing livery paying tribute to the company’s 1998 LeMans pole-winning GT-One race car. Add that to a new Cussco Zero-3 Series suspension kit and a set of 15" Enkei RPF1 wheels wrapped in Hoosier Racing Tires and you probably wouldn’t think that this was a Yaris at all.
The car’s overall sporty styling, is even more punctuated by an interior that offers all the latest in racing technology, including an 8-point an FIA race seat with a 6-point harness, a WRC steering wheel, an Autopower window net, a 2.8-liter fire system, an SCCA-spec roll cage, and RLC Racing Track Commander data acquisition system.
Then there’s the matter of the powertrain, to which this race car carries a 1.5-liter Toyota 1NZ-FE engine with VVT-i technology wired to an AEM Performance Electronics EMS Series 2 system. No word yet on how powerful the car is, but considering that it’s a race car, expect it to offer a lot more punch than a standard Yaris.
UPDATE 11/07/2011: We have added new images of the Yaris B-Spec Club Racer from the SEMA Auto Show. Check out all of the new images in the picture gallery provided!
It seems that people are always out looking for something bigger and better in every aspect of their lives, even in their cars. If someone goes out and buys a vehicle with a navigation system, the next person ups the ante by purchasing a vehicle that has a navigation system and parking assist. It’s a battle of one upsmanship and throughout the war, the only thing we lose out on is the beauty of the vehicle’s simplistic, yet amazing design. Toyota is addressing this with the "unboxing" of the 2012 Toyota Yaris.
In this video, Adam Frucci (a writer and performer in Brooklyn) takes on the task of opening up a specially designed box to reveal the brand new 2012 Toyota Yaris. The bells and whistles of this vehicle are simple: round wheels, a honkable horn, a glove box the size of a veggie burrito, and windows that go up and down. These are some of things that have been downplayed in most vehicles nowadays and Toyota is choosing to celebrate them in their 2012 Toyota Yaris.
The new Toyota Yaris will be offered in both three and five-door body styles versions with a choice of three engines: a 1.0 liter petrol engine, a 1.33 liter petrol unit, or a 1.4-liter D-4D turbo diesel. The three-cylinder 1.0-liter VVT-i petrol engine delivers a total of 68 HP and 68 lbs-ft. Fuel economy now sits at 58.9mpg. The 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i engine is also light and compact, generating 98 HP and 92 lbs-ft. When matched to the new Multidrive S transmission, fuel economy is 56.5mpg. Finally, the 1.4-litre D-4D engine is fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and delivers a total of 89 HP and 151 lbs-ft. When mated to a six-speed manual transmission the engine delivers a fuel economy of 72.4mpg.
With a history starting back in 1999, the Toyota Yaris is one of the most successful city cars on the market. With its compact design, slow dimensions, and fuel efficient engines, the Yaris is the perfect car for today’s crowded cities. The Yaris is now entering its third generation with a more dynamic design and improved quality. Customers will have to choose between four grades – T2, TR, SR and T Spirit - with prices on the British market starting from £11,170, or $17,800 at the current exchange rates.
The engine line-up includes: a 1.0 and a 1.33-liter petrol units and a 1.4-liter D-4D turbo diesel. The three-cylinder 1.0-liter VVT-i petrol engine delivers a total of 68 HP at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 68 lbs-ft at 3,600rpm. Fuel economy is now 58.9mpg. The 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i engine is also light and compact, with a small bore and long stroke to give it a very high power-to-weight ratio. It generates 98 HP at 6,000rpm and, at the peak of a gentle torque curve, 92 lbs-ft at 4,000rpm. When matched to the new Multidrive S transmission, fuel economy is 56.5mpg. And finally, the 1.4-litre D-4D engine is fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and delivers a total of 89 HP at 3,800rpm and maximum torque of 151 lbs-ft between 1,800 and 2,800rpm. When mated to a six-speed manual transmission the engine delivers a fuel economy of 72.4mpg.
Toyota’s most impressive debut at the Geneva Motor Show was obviously the FT-86 II Concept, but the Japanese automaker came to Switzerland with other impressive concepts as well, including the Yaris HSD concept. This HSD concept previews a production version set to be revealed in 2012.
In the official press release Toyota said: "Making its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Yaris HSD concept anticipates Toyota’s intention to bring full hybrid technology to the B segment, the biggest volume segment in Europe. This represents the next step in Toyota’s full hybrid roll-out strategy in Europe. Incorporating several hybrid-specific styling cues, the Yaris HSD concept introduces a new, forward-looking design execution."
Toyota aims to complete the application of full hybrid technology across its main models in Europe as early as possible in the 2020s. Following the successful introduction of the Auris HSD to the C-segment in 2010, the Yaris HSD concept anticipates Toyota’s intention to bring Hybrid Synergy Drive to the B-segment, the biggest volume segment in Europe.
Hit the jump to read more about the Toyota Yaris HSD Concept
Toyota UK has added two new models to the 2011 Yaris line-up. The new T Spirit and SR models add more luxury and a bigger dose of sports styling. Sales will begin in January 2011, with prices starting from £11,695 for the T Spirit and £12,445 for the SR version.
The T Spirit adds an integrated, detachable TomTom satellite navigation system with touch-screen operation, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port, eight-spoke alloys, climate control, rear parking sensors, and chrome surrounds for the front foglights.
The SR version gets 16-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, a rear roof spoiler and chrome exhaust finisher. There is also a chrome and leather sports gearshift and chrome front fog light surrounds. The list of features includes satellite navigation package, Bluetooth, USB port and climate control.
The exterior color options for the two models include Cirrus White, Chilli Red, and Crystal Silver.
Press release after the jump.
Toyota has arrived a SEMA with a special Yaris hatchback inspired by the IMSA GTP Toyota Eagle Racers of the 1990’s. The concept is called the GT-S Club Racer and pays homage to the popular GT-S grade Celica’s of the 1980’s and 90’s.
The new Yaris GT-S Club Racer features Molly Designs inspired graphics, a Seibon carbon fiber hood and hatchback, AeroCatch hood pins, Racing Lifestyle fender flares, I/O Port Racing Supplies tow hooks, and Lexan side and rear windows.
Under the hood there is a a Toyota 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i modified to deliver 145 HP. These modifications include several bolt-on performance parts including a K&N air intake, a DC Sports header, and Rebello Racing Engines camshafts and cylinder head work, to name a few. A Mishimoto radiator and Coast Fabrication Ultra Lightweight racing muffler were also added. The engine is mated to a SPEC aluminum flywheel and three-puck clutch, a Kaaz limited slip differential and a 4.312 final drive gear set swapped in from a Scion xB.
Press release after the jump.
We have always been a bit confused with Ford. The Detroit born automaker has become a huge sensation in Europe. One example of this old world takeover was theMondeo. This sedan was so intensely popular that it spawned a new nickname, ’Mondeo Man’. Have you ever seen a Ford here in the United States that was that popular? We think not.
There are more examples of this as well. The Fiesta, Focus, Ka, and the ever famous Transit van have been dominating the European market for ages. Finally, with some persuasion, Ford is going to bring a few of those wonderful models to the United States.
The Fiesta has been in the shadows for most if its pre-release life. Ford has decided to attack the young audience with Facebook pages and all of that other nonsense. In our opinion, Ford needs to stop all this and get out in the mainstream, and we want to help.
So, here we have a lime-green Ford Fiesta with a five-speed manual transmission just waiting to be taken out on the roads, and we were more than happy to oblige. Yet, who wants a normal review, those are so dull. Awaiting the Fiesta was the gang of small hatchbacks that have already established there turf; the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and the Honda Fit. Now we have a proper test on our hands.
Hit the jump to keep reading.
If we had told you that Batman was trading in his swanky Batmobile in an effort to curb his fuel consumption, only to settle on something like this, then you probably are within your rights to officially disown the Caped Crusader as your favorite superhero.
Now, we’re not at all condemning the owner of this Toyota Yaris for his somewhat ridiculous attempt at converting his little hatchback into the Batmobile. Actually, we’re giving him props for his courageousness in driving this car, proving that his level of shame is nowhere near the vicinity of ours.
Then again, we have to call a spade a spade. We’ve seen a lot of wannabee Batmobiles recently, but this one’s got its own place in our Hall of Shame, not only for its disturbing appearance - the fake exhaust, the poorly constructed wings, and that weird "Heroes for Christ" tag on the car’s rear are a few that come to mind - but for being allowed out on the streets in the first place.
We dare you to check the photos. If for nothing else, to get a good laugh out of it.
Before you get all freaked out about the thought of a person sitting inside this Toyota Yaris when a huge boulder fell on it, we’ll spare you from that God-awful news. Thankfully, nobody was inside the car when this happened. If there was someone there, there’s a remote chance that that person would have made it out alive.
The accident occurred in the Derbyshire Peak District in the UK when a truck carrying those mammoth boulders accidentally dropped one straight into a poor Yaris that was clearly at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
The car’s owner, a lovely young female, parked the car and ran a seemingly innocuous errand only to return to her car to see what’s pretty much left of it. There’s no word yet on what the proceedings will be as a result of this accident although the truck company responsible for this boulder-sized error should do the right thing and open up their wallets to buy the young lady a new car.
We’re still perishing with the thought of a person inside that car when this happened. We’re thankful that nobody was there, but if there was someone inside, that would’ve been a really sucky way to lose a life.
Just like any warm-blooded, auto-loving homo sapien, we appreciate smart and witty car commercials when we see one. Unfortunately, this particular Toyota Yaris commercial from the Land Down Under can be described in neither of those terms.
While we have no problem with a little subtlety, the sexual undertones in this commercial are a little too blatant, which also raised some alarm bells in Australia, prompting the sanctioning folks to ban the ad from airing on TV.
Fortunately, no such ‘bans’ exist on the Internet and you can watch the entire commercial in all its entirety.