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april 07, 2017 - Toyota

New 2017 Toyota Yaris

The #yaris success story continues with comprehensive improvement programme 

• New #yaris ready to build on third generation model’s success, with market segment share rising to its highest recorded level

• Toyota’s European design and engineering teams take leading role in global project

• More than 900 new parts introduced in €90 million programme for the new Yaris

• Continued success of #yaris production by #toyota Motor Manufacturing France, both for European and global markets

• Design changes focus on giving the #yaris a more active and dynamic look and a more refinement and a modern interior

#toyota commitment to safety sees #toyota Safety Sense active safety systems fitted as standard to all new #yaris models

#yaris Hybrid engineered for even quieter performance and improved ride and steering

• Revised model range with new equipment grades targeting specific customer groups

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW, significantly revised #yaris range is set to add to further impetus to the success of Toyota’s small hatchback. In fact, the car has continued to increase its share of the B-segment (supermini) market in Western Europe since the launch of the third generation of the model in 2011, rising to more than 6.5 per cent and 208,000-plus sales in the past year.

This performance provides a strong platform on which to strengthen the Yaris’ established qualities and broaden its appeal to new and increasingly discerning customers in a highly competitive marketplace. Design, quality, performance and safety are key purchase considerations and have been the focus areas for Toyota’s programme of improvements.

Hybrid power remains a unique selling point for the model, a powertrain option that is currently leveraging more than 40 per cent of all Yaris’ European sales.

The #yaris has a strong European heritage, having been manufactured at #toyota Motor Manufacturing France’s Valenciennes factory since 2001. Production passed three million units in 2016, with cars not only supplied throughout Europe, but also sent for export around the world, including Africa, North America and Middle East markets in Asia.

A GLOBAL PROJECT, LED BY EUROPE

Toyota has handed much of the responsibility for shaping the new #yaris to its European operations, reflecting the strength and quality of the B-segment market in the region. Notably, this is the first time that changes developed for the #yaris in Europe will be adopted directly for its sister Vitz model, manufactured in Japan.

Going much deeper than a simple mid-life “facelift,” the €90 million programme sees the introduction of more than 900 new parts to improve the car’s design, dynamic performance and safety. The car’s new look, with significant changes to the front and rear styling, has been created at Toyota’s ED2 design studio in the South of France.

A STRONGER MODEL RANGE

The new #yaris makes a stronger style statement, displaying new front and rear designs that give the car a stronger harmony of design and project a more active and dynamic look. The appearance is also more refined, with detailing in the bodywork and the cabin and new colour choices that enhance the model’s already high levels of perceived quality.

Changes to the interior promote a more modern feel, in particular with new colours, trims and improvements to the instruments and controls. All versions apart from the Entry grade model now feature a colour TFT multi-information display in the driver’s instrument binnacle.

Increased customer choice extends to a new 1.5-litre petrol engine, designed to meet more stringent Euro 6c emissions standards and future homologation requirements that address “real world” fuel economy. The new unit delivers 10% more power and torque than the previous 1.33-litre engine, yet also posts an improvement in fuel economy of up to 12 per cent.

Toyota’s commitment to making cars safer is reflected in all versions of new #yaris being equipped with #toyota Safety Sense active safety systems as standard, including a Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist*.

Where the hybrid model is concerned, engineers have focused on achieving an even quieter ride, particularly under acceleration, introducing a raft of measures including new engine mounts, roll restrictor, front driveshafts and subframe. The design of the new engine mounts and adjustments to the shock absorbers and electric power steering have also improved the hybrid’s ride comfort and steering accuracy.

Toyota’s approach to the new #yaris is not just about improving the car, but also creating a stronger model range designed to meet the requirements and preferences of a wider and increasingly selective customer base. The new model is presented with a new grade strategy that targets distinct qualities, from value for money to contemporary style and elegance. New Mid and Mid+ grades are at the heart of the line-up, while the new Bi-tone models offer a wider choice of the contrast exterior paintwork finishes that were introduced to the range in 2016. The line-up also includes a new Chic grade, designed to give the car’s style and detailing a more elegant direction.

*Road Sign Assist not available on Entry grade

 

DESIGN

• Design changes focus on more active and dynamic look with increased refinement

• Emphasis on horizontal lines and stronger three-dimensional architecture, emphasising a wide vehicle stance and low centre of gravity

• New front end displays “catamaran” shape architecture, with new headlight units, new grille designs and simplified treatment of the area around the central #toyota emblem

• New lower door mouldings emphasise new Yaris’ athletic profile

• New tailgate, rear light clusters and bumper

• New exterior colours and wheel designs

• New cabin upholsteries, trims and colour choices

• Revised combimeter incorporates new colour TFT multi-information display

EXTERIOR DESIGN

Design is a key consideration for customers in the B-segment and the team at Toyota’s ED2 European design centre has focused on giving the new #yaris a more active and dynamic look while at the same time communicating a more refined direction. To achieve this, both the front and rear of the car have been given a new design architecture that presents a stronger three-dimensional quality, a greater emphasis on horizontal lines to express a wide stance and low centre of gravity.

The result is a more dynamic and emotional shape that amplifies the qualities of Toyota’s Keen Look and Under Priority design principles.

The redesign of the front of the car features a new front bumper that creates a “catamaran” shape with broad sections flowing down from new headlight units, flanking the wide, trapezoidal grille. The result is a more pronounced three-dimensional effect, and the sense of a wider, more planted road stance. A simplified design in the area around the central #toyota emblem adds to the overall dynamic impact.

The grille itself benefits from new treatments that contribute to the new Yaris’s more resolute look, with a honeycomb design for Bi-tone grades and arrangement of “stepped” horizontal bars for other grades that again delivers a more eye-catching, 3D effect. The integrated fog light housings either side of the grille have also been reworked with a more compact recess and a vertical line that arcs smoothly to follow the outer edge of the bumper – featuring a bright chrome trim detail on higher grade versions that’s also available as an option on Mid grades.

NEW HEADLIGHT DESIGNS

The new headlamp units further develop the Keen Look qualities in the frontal design, producing a new lighting signature that expresses confidence and individuality. Where LED daytime running lights are fitted, light guides create a forked frame around the main lamp that flows seamlessly into a single line; this line extends beyond the projector headlamp in a matching chrome trim element that extends towards the central #toyota emblem. This is available on higher grade models, while on Mid and Mid+ versions the distinctive forked pattern is created using slim chrome trim bars within the unit.

DYNAMIC PROFILE VIEW

The new Yaris’ side view helps generate added dynamism with more emphasis given to the axis line of the body from front to rear. Here, the new tailgate and rear light units contribute to the sense of extra length and tautness in the car’s profile. There is also a new lower door moulding which adds a sportier look by leading the eye neatly into the line of the new rear lamp cluster, finished in piano black or chrome, according to model grade.

The range of wheels for new #yaris includes three new designs: a 15-inch silver wheel cover for the Mid grade; a multi-spoke 15-inch alloy for Mid+ models; and a new 16-inch wheel with a machined face finish for the Chic hybrid model.

REVISED REAR DESIGN WITH NEW TAILGATE, BUMPER AND LAMP CLUSTERS

At the rear the added sense of refinement is reflected in a stronger central mass, created by a new tailgate design that extends the horizontal emphasis with new rear light clusters that extend from the rear wings onto the door itself. According to model grade, the rear lights feature LED stop and tail lights with light guides, asserting the new Yaris’ premium quality and, like the front lights, presenting a distinctive illumination signature.

Following the same concept as the new frontal design, a “catamaran” architecture has been created at the rear of the car with a new bumper design that harmonises perfectly with the lines of the tailgate, projecting the sense of a low centre of gravity and wide on-road stance. The powerful quality of this design is supported by a re-shaping of the area framing the licence plate and the addition of black garnish details in the lower bumper, edged with reflector and finished with a pattern of straked, horizontal lines.

Two new colours have been added to the range of paint finishes for the #yaris – Hydro Blue and Tokyo Red, taking the total to 10 different shades.

INTERIOR DESIGN

The focus for changes to the Yaris’ interior was to keep the look and ambience of the cabin feeling fresh and modern, introducing new upholsteries, colours and trim details and upgrading the instrumentation and controls to ensure excellent ergonomics and HMI (human-machine interface) performance.

The combimeter in the driver’s instrument binnacle has a new “bi-nocular” arrangement of twin analogue dials flanking a new 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display, fitted as standard from Mid grade. Different information and vehicle data can be selected and adjusted using control switches on the three-spoke steering wheel, which itself has a new look with the addition of piano black trim inserts (on Mid grade and higher). A new chrome trim frames the combimeter, adding to the more refined effect.

Other detail changes include new propeller-style air vents, cool blue instrument illumination and a more streamlined, seamless execution of the multimedia screen and controls in the centre console, including new switches that are both neater in appearance and easier to operate.

NEW UPHOLSTERIES, TRIMS AND COLOUR OPTIONS

The new #yaris offers customers more choice in terms of interior finish, with new, co-ordinated upholstery and trim colour options that harmonise the cabin’s appearance.

The entry level model combines a grey instrument panel insert with new black cloth upholstery with a distinctive houndstooth check design for the centre seatback and cushion. For the new Mid grade the cloth has a smart black/grey gradation pattern and the instrument panel insert and upper door trims are in a toning dark grey with a soft-touch finish and animal grain pattern. On Mid+ models the same upholstery is used, with a black instrument panel and door trim.

For Bi-tone versions of the new #yaris, there is a dedicated interior treatment for each exterior colour choice: blue with blue/black, burgundy with red/black, warm grey with bronze/black and black with white/black. The colour detailing covers the instrument panel insert and door trims, plus inserts in the seatbacks and edging to the seatback and cushion bolsters.

 

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

#yaris Hybrid remains unique proposition in its segment, with best-in-class CO2 emissions

#yaris Hybrid noise and vibration levels reduced with new engine mounts, roll restrictor, front driveshafts and subframe

• New-design engine mounts, shock absorber adjustments and retuned electric power steering improve #yaris Hybrid’s ride comfort and steering accuracy

• New 1.5-litre petrol engine with VVT-iE, offering more torque and power but higher efficiency and lower emissions than previous 1.33-litre unit

• Improvement in fuel economy of up to 12 per cent

IMPROVED HYBRID POWERTRAIN PERFORMANCE

Yaris remains unique in the B-segment in giving customers the option of hybrid power and the chance to experience the smooth, relaxed and intuitive drive Toyota’s world-leading technology provides, together with excellent fuel economy and best-in-class exhaust emissions (from 75 g/km CO2). In developing the new #yaris, #toyota engineers listened to customer feedback to understand where improvements might be made to achieve an even quieter and more comfortable ride with better handling and steering accuracy.

THE REAL BENEFITS OF HYBRID DRIVING

Toyota is deploying a smart data-gathering tool to help European retailers demonstrate to customers how hybrid technology works and the real benefits it can deliver.

The Driveco box is already being used in seven European markets for Hybrid models including #yaris Hybrid and is set for pilot trials in nine more. An automatic driver log system, it collects data on test drive journey distances, times and average speeds, plus the proportion of the journey in which car operates in all-electric EV mode, with zero fuel consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. The information can be downloaded and viewed using a smartphone or tablet app, along with comparisons with previous performance, and with the levels achieved by other drivers.

Driveco has already logged data from 900 #yaris Hybrids and more than half a million kilometres of driving in all kinds of environments, from city centres to mountain routes. The combined results reveal that together the cars have operated in EV mode for more than 54% of the time, achieving real-world average fuel consumption of 5.0 l/100 km.

AN EVEN QUIETER DRIVE

Although #toyota hybrids are noted for their quiet performance, new Yaris’ engineers undertook a thorough review to ascertain where improvements in noise and vibration levels could be made, in particular to reduce any noise intrusion from the powertrain under acceleration.

As a result, a comprehensive range of measures has been introduced, including the installation of redesigned engine mounts, a larger engine roll restrictor, new front driveshafts and front subframe and a modified air box intake system. Additionally, the exhaust system has been adjusted with a new sub-silencer.

RIDE COMFORT AND HANDLING

The new engine mount design also helps the new #yaris Hybrid deliver a more comfortable ride, with less vehicle shake caused by engine movement when driving over uneven surfaces. Changes have also been made to the shock absorbers’ damping force and valve design to enhance comfort while maintaining handling performance.

The electric power steering has been tuned for less friction feel and smoother response to driver inputs. Cornering traceability has been improved by more closely aligning the driver’s steering effort with the vehicle’s response.

NEW 1.5-LITRE PETROL ENGINE

The new #yaris marks the introduction of a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to the range to replace the current 1.33-litre unit, developed in anticipation of future Euro 6c emissions standard and RDE (Real Driving Emission) homologation requirements. The new unit is being manufactured by #toyota Motor Industries Poland.

The engine is a member of Toyota’s ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficiency) family, benefiting from new technical features that deliver better performance and a more enjoyable drive, while at the same time achieving a reduction of up to 12 per cent in fuel consumption, using the current NEDC test parameters.

In the new #yaris the naturally aspirated 1,496 cm3 engine develops a maximum 111 DIN hp/82 kW and peak torque of 136 Nm at 4,400 rpm. Its responsiveness ensures a comfortable drive both in urban traffic and on the open road. Compared to the 1.33-litre unit, it is 0.8 seconds quicker in acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h (11.0 versus 11.8), while at overtaking speed in 5th gear the improvement is more than a second, moving from 80 to 120 km/h in 17.6 seconds compared to 18.8.

Toyota’s world-leading experience in hybrid powertrain technology has proved valuable in addressing the challenges presented by the new Euro 6c emissions standard and RDE homologation cycle, witnessed in the new engine achieving a 38.5 per cent thermal efficiency value, placing it among the best on the market. This has been achieved by using a high, 13.5:1 compression ratio, adopting a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and extending the variable valve timing operation so that the engine can switch from the Otto to the Atkinson cycle to gain optimum efficiency in different driving conditions.

The higher compression ratio has been made possible by the combustion chamber design and new pistons, which promote a homogenous air/petrol mixture and rapid combustion. Cooled EGR reduces combustion temperature and also helps prevent engine knocking. Furthermore, the volume of reinjected inert gases allows for a reduction in pumping losses at low and medium loads, improving overall engine efficiency.

The adoption of a new variable inlet valve timing system – VVT-iE* – allows the engine to switch from the Otto to the Atkinson cycle (and vice-versa) in a fraction of a second. Controlled electronically, closure of the intake valve is delayed, reducing the compression phase and further helping reduce pumping losses (Atkinson cycle), and enabling a prompt return to the Otto cycle for better performance under high loads The phase shift of the exhaust camshaft is hydraulically controlled.

The engineers also focused on improving fuel consumption at sustained motorway cruising speeds, leading to the use – for the first time on a #toyota – of a water-cooled exhaust manifold. By limiting the gas temperature, this avoids the need for mixture enrichment to reduce combustion temperature at any motorway driving speed. As a result, both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are reduced.

In common with other #toyota ESTEC engines, the 1.5-litre unit benefits from the latest measures designed to reduce friction losses.

* Variable Valve Timing – intelligent Electric Motor

 

SAFETY

#toyota Safety Sense active safety systems fitted as standard to all new #yaris models

• The package includes Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist

• Rear seat belts with force limiters

and pretensioners

TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE AS STANDARD

Toyota puts safety at the heart of its commitment to building ever-better cars, ensuring that the benefits of advanced technologies are not limited to high-end, high-specification models, but are made available across the board. True to this ethos, it has made #toyota Safety Sense a standard feature on all new #yaris models.

This ensures that every car in the line-up is equipped with systems that can help prevent an accident happening, or lessen the consequences if an impact does occur. The package includes a Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and, on models higher than Entry grade, Road Sign Assist.

The Pre-Collision System uses a front- mounted laser to monitor the road ahead, warning the driver of an imminent collision risk and preparing the brakes to deliver emergency braking the moment the brake pedal is pressed. If the driver fails to respond to the warning, the system will trigger Autonomous Emergency Braking to slow the car to reduce the severity of any impact.

Automatic High Beam detects both the headlights of oncoming traffic and the tail lights of vehicles ahead, automatically switching between low and high beam to avoid dazzling other drivers, while maintaining the best possible illumination for night-time driving.

The Lane Departure Alert monitors lane markings on the road surface and helps prevent accidents caused by the vehicle moving out of its lane. If the #yaris begins to deviate from its lane without the turn indicators being used, the system alerts the driver visual and audible warnings.

Road Sign Assist helps ensure drivers are kept informed about key road warnings and commands, even if they have driven past a road sign without noticing it. The system recognises signs such as speed limits and “no overtaking” restrictions and presents them on the colour TFT multi-information display in the driver’s combimeter. If the driver exceeds the speed limit, the system will activate a warning light and buzzer.

To improve safety for people on board, the rear seatbelts now feature force limiters and pretensioners. The head restraints have been redesigned to provide better protection against whiplash injury and the shape of the curtain airbags has been revised. Child seat installation has been made easier with adjustments to the Isofix anchoring system and labelling.

 

A GLOBAL PROJECT LED BY EUROPE

• New #yaris project masterminded by Toyota’s European operations, including design, R&D, planning, production and sales and marketing

• European responsibility extended for the first time to include global #product changes

Toyota Motor Europe teams have been responsible for managing the Yaris’ #product lifecycle since 2011. This has included delivering the first major revision of the third generation model, together with annual upgrades and new derivatives, such as the Trend and Bi-tone versions, extending the model’s market reach and appeal. Their successful collaboration has reached a higher level with the introduction of the new #yaris, delivering significant changes to the car that will be adopted not just for local markets, but globally.

“We have made the #yaris more ‘European’ than ever,” says Senior Project Manager Serkan Karaman. “It has been a big challenge, but the experience we have gained since 2011 has improved the way our different functions work together. Year by year we have increased our capabilities and our knowledge and understanding of the market, while at the same time developing more harmonious and effective ways of working together internally.”

The project has involved multiple departments, including the ED2 design centre in the South of France, #product planning, R&D, production, sales and marketing. Their work has helped achieve year-on-year sales growth; in fact the #yaris reached a record high of more than 208,000 units and a segment share greater than 6.5 per cent in Europe in 2016, just as the new model was being readied for launch.

“It is usual for a new model to peak then gradually decline in sales volume, but the #yaris has continued to increase its market share. This is a great achievement, but it also put more pressure on us to find ways to bring more ‘newness’ and appeal to the car, something that was felt in every part of the process,” says Karaman.

European qualities for a global market

The essentially “European” quality of the new #yaris can be seen in in its new design, its higher levels of sensory quality and its dynamic performance. These are in line with Toyota’s desire to give the model more emotional appeal, generating a stronger attachment between the customer and their car, in addition to the rational qualities for which #toyota is renowned.

Sensory quality – what the customer sees, hears and feels – is very important in Europe where premium brands are strong and influential, so it has been a constant priority for the teams responsible for the Yaris’ lifecycle development.

“Toyota is renowned for being a rational brand, but we knew it was important to give the new #yaris a greater emotional appeal and better dynamic performance. To address these priorities you need to have a close understanding of the market, which is something we have worked hard to achieve,” says Karaman.

The responsibility for defining #product changes that will be adopted globally (including for the Vitz, the Japanese version of the Yaris) has been welcomed by the TME teams and they are proud of their achievement. Success for the #yaris in the highly competitive European market signals that it has the potential to succeed elsewhere.

“This is the first time that TME R&D’s role has expanded to create products not just for Europe, but for #toyota globally. The new styling we have created for #yaris will be adopted in full in Japan,” says Karaman. “By developing cars in Europe, we gain better knowledge of the European market and, beyond that, are able to help #toyota in its global strategy to make ever-better cars.”

 

NEW #yaris GRMN

High performance inspired by Toyota’s motorsport engineering

The new #yaris GRMN is more than a simple hot hatch, it is a thoroughbred performance model that directly benefits from the engineering and tuning skills #toyota is developing in its motorsport programme. Powered by a new, 1.8-litre supercharged engine producing more than 210 DIN hp, it promises speed, poise and rich driver rewards.

THE NEW #yaris GRMN is an authentic, full-blooded and highly tuned hot hatch, inspired and influenced by Toyota’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 with #toyota GAZOO Racing and the #yaris WRC after a 17-year break from the competition. The WRC is the pinnacle of the sport and is sure to provide #toyota with new challenges and opportunities to further develop its people, explore new technologies, and experience various road conditions around the world, helping it in its pursuit of making ever-better cars.

The motorsport influence is displayed in dedicated performance features that broadcast the car’s special qualities, both in its exterior styling and its driver-focused interior. It also sports unique paint finish – white with red and black flash detailing on the bonnet and sills, echoing the livery of the thoroughbred rally car.

Toyota called on its European teams to design the #yaris GRMN and develop its engine and interior, while responsibility for the chassis and braking system fell to colleagues in Japan. Production will be handled by #toyota Motor Manufacturing France’s plant in Valenciennes.

Although successful GRMN performance models have previously been sold in Japan, the #yaris GRMN is the first to be marketed in Europe, on sale from early 2018.

SUPERCHARGED ENGINE

The #yaris GRMN is unique in the European hot hatch market in being powered by a supercharged engine. This highly responsive 1.8-litre unit will produce more than 210 DIN hp, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and enabling 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.

CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION

To ensure the engine’s prodigious power is translated into a genuinely rewarding drive, the #yaris GRMN has a reinforced chassis with additional bracing, including an extra bar between the front suspension towers.

It benefits from suspension tuned through extensive testing on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife with significant input from #toyota GAZOO Racing’s motorsport activities, plus a Torsen limited-slip differential for better traction and handling. Shorter springs allow the car to hug the ground more closely and these are teamed with dedicated shock absorbers developed with Sachs and a larger diameter front stabiliser bar.

The car is also equipped with highly efficient performance brakes, with large ventilated discs and four-pot front callipers.

SPORTS STYLING

The #yaris GRMN’s performance credentials are clearly broadcast in its styling. Offered exclusively in three-door form, it rides on BBS 17-inch multi-spoke alloys and is fitted with a bespoke, black wing-type rear spoiler.

The features included dedicated front and rear bumper designs, a rear diffuser and a distinctive centre exhaust tailpipe.

The cabin is an equal expression of the #yaris GRMN’s performance focus, with front sports seats designed specifically for the car by #toyota Boshoku, providing the best-in-class body holding and support.

The authentic performance details include a small-diameter, leather- wrapped steering wheel – shared with the GT86 – that incorporates a centre line mark to help the driver with accurate car positioning. There is also an aluminium sports pedal set and a redesigned combi meter that reflect the car’s special sporting character.