2008 Toyota Yaris

Yaris Brings Toyota Refinement To Subcompact Segment

The Toyota Yaris brings a high level of refinement, sophistication, and a fun-to-drive experience to the entry subcompact segment. The most affordable passenger car in the Toyota model lineup, Yaris is available in four-door Sedan and three-door Liftback models.

For 2008, the Yaris adds the sport-themed Liftback S model and features color-keyed front and rear under-bumper spoilers, amber illuminated tachometer, sport seat fabric, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, rear window defroster, rear window wiper, AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA capability, universal mini-jack port and 'S' badging. The Liftback S model's standard 15-inch steel wheels can be upgraded with optional aluminum-alloy wheels.



'Yaris of course has strong appeal for its affordability and excellent fuel efficiency, yet Toyota designed it as a car that customers will want to own for its styling, quality and driveability,' said Jim Lentz, executive vice president Toyota Motor Sales, Ú.S.A., Inc.

The Liftback is available in six colors and Sedan is offered in nine colors. Only two colors, Polar White and Black Sand Pearl, are shared by both body styles for an array of 13 color choices over the two models.



The Yaris Sedan is not only dimensionally different than the Liftback, but features its own styling. In front, the grille is framed by sharp character lines integrated into the aerodynamic hood and windshield. Like the Liftback, the Sedan features a 'T' face grille that emphasizes the Toyota identity. Eliminating outer moldings from the windshield and door glass helps to enhance aerodynamics and reduce wind noise. In the rear, the tail lamps frame a wide trunk opening. The trunk lid extends down to the bumper molding to provide a substantial appearance as well as easy trunk access.

The Yaris Sedan rides on a longer version of the platform, with a 100.4-inch wheelbase versus 96.9 inches for the Liftback. The Yaris Sedan has an overall length of 169.3 inches compared to 150.6 inches for the Liftback, and the Sedan is 2.5 inches lower than the Liftback, as well. A low 0.29 coefficient of drag ensures aerodynamic efficiency for both models.

High-Strength Construction
The Yaris is built around a highly rigid yet lightweight structure incorporating strategic use of high-tensile steel. The inherent strength of the Yaris platform allowed Toyota to tune the suspension for quick responses yet with a compliant ride. The body structure incorporates damping materials in strategic locations throughout to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), helping to make Yaris quiet and comfortable for long trips.

Fun-To-Drive Performance and Handling
The Yaris's 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and produces 106 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 103 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 RPM. Both models come with a standard five-speed manual transmission and offer an available four-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The automatic features uphill/downhill shift logic to reduce gear 'hunting' to help ensure smooth performance when driving in hills.

Yaris fuel efficiency is among the best in the subcompact segment, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 29 MPG city /36 MPG highway for manual transmission models and 35/29 for the automatic. Yaris is EPA-certified as an Últra-Low Emission vehicle (ÚLEV II).

The L-arm MacPherson strut front suspension includes a 0.9-inch stabilizer bar. A hydroformed torsion beam axle for the rear suspension provides the necessary anti-roll stabilization, eliminating the need for a separate anti-roll bar. Yaris suspension and steering have been tuned to deliver responsive handling and excellent maneuverability, including a remarkably small 32.6-ft. turning radius. Both the Liftback and Sedan (Sedan S has standard P185/60R15) ride on standard P175/65 R14 tires with steel wheels and full wheel covers and offer available 15-inch steel or aluminum-alloy wheels.

Spacious, Practical and Comfortable Interior
The Yaris Liftback interior provides roominess that belies its exterior dimensions. The upscale and comfortable cabin provides rear seating for three with headrests in all seating positions. The rear seatback folds down to expand cargo capacity from 9.3 cubic feet to 25.7 cubic feet. A 60/40 split rear seatback with reclining feature is included in the optional Power Package.

The instrument cluster is center-mounted, high on the dash to enhance forward visibility. Both Yaris models provide easy-to-reach audio and climate controls, an array of storage spaces including a center console with built-in storage, and cupholders in the front and rear.

Generous standard convenience features on both the Yaris Liftback and Sedan include air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; a gated shift lever (with optional automatic transmission); tinted glass; digital clock; a map light; intermittent windshield wipers with mist control; and dual sunvisors with vanity mirrors.

Both models offer rear seating for three with headrests in each seating position. Standard on the Yaris Sport and available on the Sedan are 60/40 folding rear seatbacks with a fold-down center armrest and cupholder. With the 60/40 seatbacks up, the Sedan's spacious trunk offers nearly 12.9 cu. ft. of capacity, and folding the seatbacks expands that to 25.7 cu. ft.

Safety
Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin that integrates front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials on the roof and doors. Yaris is equipped with height-adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions, and the front seatbelts integrate pretensioners and force limiters.

Standard driver and passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags (SRS) inflate according to collision severity. A front seat passenger sensor is designed to detect how much weight is on the seat to determine whether the airbag should inflate and the correct inflation power.

Front-seat-mounted side airbags with first and second row roll-sensing side curtain airbags are available as options, as is an anti-lock brake system (ABS). The rear seat is equipped with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) uniform child restraint anchorage system.

Options
Yaris is available with a number of comfort and convenience options, as well as a selection of accessories for individualization. A convenience package that is standard on Yaris Sport and available on the Sedan and Liftback adds an AM/FM CD player with MP3 capability and universal mini-jack port; a rear defroster; 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers; 60/40 folding rear seatbacks (Sedan only) and a rear wiper (Liftback only).

The optional Power Package equips all Yaris models, except for the Liftback S, with power door locks, windows, and mirrors; AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 capability and audio mini-jack; rear defroster and 15-inch steel wheels with covers. For the Sedan, the Power Package also includes ABS, a tachometer (standard on manual transmission models), upgraded trim and cruise control. For the Liftback, the Power Package also adds a 60/40 split rear seat that slides, reclines, and folds completely flat.

With the Power Package selected, customers can individualize the Yaris with stand alone options, which include 15-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, a rear spoiler, remote keyless entry and immobilizer (Sedan only).

Toyota's 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and corrosion perforation for 60 months with no mileage limitation.

Source - Toyota

Five Axis Design Yaris Club

The Yaris Club project pays tribute to Toyota's racing heritage harkening back to the late '60s when Toyota challenged for the Group 7 category of Can-Am racing with the Toyota 7.

The Yaris Club is a stripped-down, no-nonsense car with no extras – only what is needed to perform. The roof has been removed and the windshield lowered. With the interior removed, a tonneau was fabricated, turning the Yaris into a single seater with a fairing that doubles as a driver headrest.

A supercharger, exhaust headers and a free-flowing exhaust were added for performance to back up the good looks. The suspension was lowered by two inches with front and rear coil-over shocks and larger brakes added.

The Yaris Club was developed by Five Axis in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Source - Toyota