2012 Toyota Yaris On Sale In Australia: More Features, Greater Value

2012 TOYOTA YARIS

Toyota's all-new 2012 Yaris is now on sale in Australia, following its local unveiling at the Australian International Motor Show in July.

Priced from $14,990, the new Yaris brings a sharp new look for Toyota's light hatch, adding new safety features, a stronger body and more standard features.

The diminutive hatch also benefits from input from Toyota's Australian engineers. They have been involved with the set-up of the local model's chassis and suspension tune, as well as the calibration for the steering and throttle.

Mechanical Package

Engines & Transmissions

The 2012 Yaris retains its existing 1.3 and 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engines, but improvements to the fuel system, heat management and engine tuning have reduced fuel consumption by around four-tenths of a litre per 100km.

Power for the 1.3 litre petrol engine is listed at 63kW and 121Nm of torque, available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission.

In manual form, the 1.3 litre engine lists fuel consumption figures of 5.7 l/100km, and 5.8 l/100km for the automatic variant.

The 1.5 litre engine produces 80kW and 141Nm of torque and is also available with both transmissions. 

Fuel consumption is listed at 6.3 for both the manual and automatic-equipped versions of the 1.5 litre engine.

The Toyota Technical Centre in Melbourne (TTCAu) contributed to development of the local version, working on the steering calibration and chassis package and specifying the European electric power steering rack.

Suspension is managed by the usual MacPherson struts and torsion beam combo, but Toyota says this is a more agile Yaris, with improved handling and refinement.

For Australia, the front spring rate was increased by 18 percent and the rear by 26 percent. Toyota Australia says that special attention was also given to the front lower bushes and the rear torsion-beam bush.

On the braking front, the new Yaris has 255mm ventilated front disc brakes, with drums at the rear.

There is a new tie-rod nine-inch brake booster in which a rod penetrates through the booster to improve rigidity, feel and overall braking control.

There is also a new lightweight master cylinder, resulting in shorter pedal travel; the pedal stroke has also been optimised.

The third-generation Yaris (the first was sold here as the Echo) is the same width as its predecessor, but gains an extra 100mm in length, promising improved leg space and storage in the cabin.

The wheelbase has been increased by 50mm to 2510mm, and floor space in the rear cargo area has grown by 145mm. Rear knee space is up by 35mm and maximum interior width has grown by 30mm.

The Yaris' height has been cut by 30mm, and the new hatch is also some 20kg lighter: the body is 5kg lighter, while the chassis drops 6kg. The seats have lost 5kg also, and around 4kg has been cut from elsewhere in the car.

Driver vision is enhanced with larger front-quarter glass and the removal of the division bar on rear side windows.

All variants have a front track of 1485mm - an increase of 5mm for YR and 15mm for all other grades.

Features

Depending on specification, features in the new Yaris include cruise control, a touch-screen display, upgraded audio systems, USB/iPod and Bluetooth audio streaming connectivity, steering-mounted controls, a multi-function display with a trip computer, air-conditioning and power windows.

There are three audio/infotainment systems available:

• Standard: Voice control, CD player, USB/iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Yaris YR: FM with radio text
• Yaris YRS: 6.1-inch, full-colour touch-screen display; SMS/email read-out for phones with MAP ^^ ; personalised start-up screen (via SD card)
• Yaris YRX and ZR: have touch-screen satellite navigation; SUNA ™ Traffic Channel # ; DivX ® player ## (via USB) to watch movies; split screen (navigation and audio); 3D landmarks; map data includes fixed speed cameras, red-light cameras, railway crossings, school zones, 4WD tracks, green routing and trip data

In all, there are 10 variants and specifications in the new Yaris line-up.

Breakdown:

Yaris YR

• 1.3-litre 3-door hatch - 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto
• 1.3-litre 5-door hatch - 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto

Features

• CD tuner with 4 speakers, Voice control, FM radio with text, USB+ and MP3 input, Bluetooth compatibility and streaming
• 14-inch steel wheels with covers (4), Space-saver spare wheel
• Multi information display
• 60/40 split-fold rear seat
• Power windows, single-arm windscreen wiper, power exterior mirrors (body-coloured)
• Body-coloured exterior door handles, illuminated entry
• 22 storage places in passenger compartment (3-door; 24 for 5-door.)
• Cruise control option

Yaris YRS

• 1.5-litre 3-door hatch 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto
• 1.5-litre 5-door hatch 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto

Features (over YR)

• Premium steering wheel and shift lever knob
• 15-inch steel wheels with covers (4)
• Cruise control
• Display audio with 6 speakers, touch screen, picture play (via SD card)

Yaris YRX

• 1.5-litre 5-door hatch, 4-speed auto

Features (over YRS)

• 15-inch alloy wheels (4)
• Auto headlamps, front foglamps
• Automatic climate-control air conditioning
• AVN audio system, satellite navigation, SUNA™ Traffic Channel, Split screen, 3D graphics
• 60,000 safety warnings including speed and red-light cameras, school zones, railway crossings
• DivX player (via USB)
• Green routing, trip data

Yaris ZR

• 1.5-litre 3-door hatch, 5-speed manual

Features (over YRX)

• Sports front and rear bumpers
• Sports grille and headlamps
• Rear roof spoiler
• Side skirts
• Sports front seats
• Sports front-seat material
• Exhaust tailpipe diffuser

Standard safety features across the range include Vehicle Stability Control, with raction control, anti-skid braking system, brake assist, and electronic brake-force distribution.

There is also whiplash injury-lessening front seats and seven airbags for each variant: front, front-seat side, full-length side curtain shield, Driver's knee.

Pricing

Three-door

Five-door

Options

Automatic transmission (YR, YRS): $1,600
Cruise control (YR): $650