New Yaris - Test Drive!

[Demonic Angel]

when i handled with the paper work for the new yaris it said a t-sport would be released at a later date.

Im sure ive already said this though! I dunno!

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You probably did, but theres been such a conflict of information since then!

Its most definitely not womanly in the flesh Rob, its really very smart & sexy!

[dkeithb]

With all the Yaris fans here, thought I would report on something a little different. Picked up my new 2006 Yaris about 3 weeks ago (stablemate to my '03 Corolla). Yes since I'm in Canada (Newfoundland) the new version has been available since October. My son has the previous version and its great but the new one is very nice improvement. Recognizing that there are significant differences between the one you will get on Jan 1 and mine ( only one engine in Canada -1.5 litre 106hp) the platform is still the same and a great one it is. Nice handling, super room and , in my view, a nice upgrade on the interior. The stacked ventilation, A/C controls are a plus and the electric heater (not sure if this will get to the UK) to get warm air before the coolant has warmed up is a "must have" from now on. Regrettably the split rear seat is part of a relatively expensive RS package but otherwise very good content. Power from the 1.5 is good but not quite as good as the 1.8 in my Corolla but overall the Yaris is much more fun and is my ride of choice. Although a new Civic sedan would have cost only 10% more, it didn't

have the appeal when I was shopping and after a brief time with my new Yaris it still doesn't. Great car coming your way.

[Al J]

I don't think we'll have a block heater or the like. They usually aren't necessary here though I can understand why you have them!

I wonder who will be first to get a new Yaris here?

[Demonic Angel]

I don't think we'll have a block heater or the like. They usually aren't necessary here though I can understand why you have them!

I wonder who will be first to get a new Yaris here?

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I wish I could say it's gonna be me Al, but alas no....

The T-Sport will be mine!

[dkeithb]

Just to correct a misunderstanding on the electric heater-this is NOT a block heater that I'm referring to ( it doesn't get that cold here either). Rather there is an electric heater on the cabin ventilation so that you get warm (not hot) within a few seconds of putting the car in gear and driving.

[Demonic Angel]

Just to correct a misunderstanding on the electric heater-this is NOT a block heater that I'm referring to ( it doesn't get that cold here either). Rather there is an electric heater on the cabin ventilation so that you get warm (not hot) within a few seconds of putting the car in gear and driving.

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You get that with standard air con anyway though.... mine heats up almost immediately

[Al J]

Just to correct a misunderstanding on the electric heater-this is NOT a block heater that I'm referring to ( it doesn't get that cold here either). Rather there is an electric heater on the cabin ventilation so that you get warm (not hot) within a few seconds of putting the car in gear and driving.

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Ah sorry, my mistake. Well, we probably won't get that either. :P

[Demonic Angel]

Just to correct a misunderstanding on the electric heater-this is NOT a block heater that I'm referring to ( it doesn't get that cold here either). Rather there is an electric heater on the cabin ventilation so that you get warm (not hot) within a few seconds of putting the car in gear and driving.

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Ah sorry, my mistake. Well, we probably won't get that either. :P

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Am I thinking its the wrong thing then Al???

[Al J]

Not sure, Em. Can't say I've noticed on my air con. I'll have to crank it up a bit and find out. To be honest I don't think P2 Yarri here will have it.

[alanbradley]

Won't be me, although after passengering for 165 miles and driving about 150 miles in a Skoda Fabia today the Yaris' only small car competition from me could be a goner (Fabia vRS)...

I was mucho disappointed by it :(

A

[spwolfx]

Not sure, Em. Can't say I've noticed on my air con. I'll have to crank it up a bit and find out. To be honest I don't think P2 Yarri here will have it.

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i think it is similar to what our diesels get - few heater lines that heat up cabin quicker, which is really needed in an diesel, and I guess in canada too!

[spwolfx]

My Mr T reckoned a T Sport would appear a year later which is, I think, what happened with the last one. Mind you, they're only guessing too.

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as much as I know, it is not decided yet, but there should be an next Yaris TS, and it will be an PROPER TS, if you catch my drift. I am sure people will complain it is 3k-4k more expensive than before, but happy owners will chase Celica's around

:-).

[Caz SR]

Interesting write up Em!

With this TS debate, I think everyone is forgetting something. Toyota didn't release the current Yaris TS for quite a while after the car went on the market. That's why we have SRs.

The SR was the top of the range Yaris, using the 1.3 engine for a while before the TS varient came out.

I'd like to say Toyota will do the same with the new Yaris although I'm not convinced. Mr T have defenately gone down the route of sucking up to EU Emmissions regulators, which is why their most exciting cars (well comparitively) have been dropped. No more Corolla TS, no more Celicas... and the rumoured demise of the MR2.

I very much doubt they'll really feel any need to release the 'hot hatch' version in the UK. As has been said, it wont sell and it goes against Mr T's current ethos for the European market.

Unless you're a die hard Yaris fan, loyal to Toyota or are really smitten with the new Yaris, can you really see enough people being prepared to fork out £12k+ (I'm guessing around £14,500) for a TS version when there are the likes of the Golf GTI, Audi S3, Mitsubishi Colt already on offer? Those that are also Jap performance junkies will spend that money on a DC5, Skyline, CTR or something with definately more poke than a 1.5.

[Ryan1985]

Golf GTI

You must be kidding, they are 20k and aren't even in the same class as a Yaris!

Audi S3

Also far more expensive and in a completely different class.

Fair do's with the Colt CZT thing but overall I don't really know what you're getting at? ;)

[alanbradley]

Good points there Charis, but I think that the fact the Colt CZT exists makes a T-Sport all the more likely...

A

[Caz SR]

Golf GTI

You must be kidding, they are 20k and aren't even in the same class as a Yaris!

Audi S3

Also far more expensive and in a completely different class.

Fair do's with the Colt CZT thing but overall I don't really know what you're getting at? ;)

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Why do you always feel the need to argue with me Ryan?

My point is that the competition is very stiff in the hot hatch market. I just don't think the public as a whole will be prepared to pay for a TS varient of an essentially new car when the competition is so strong, also that this isn't Toyota's brand focus. The cars I mentioned are not in a completely different class when you're considering the whole idea of a 'hot hatch' which is where other manufacturers are stealing the lead by miles.

Toyota are no longer about producing proper 'sport' cars in the UK. They're about adding 'sport' ranges which consist of shiny alloys, air con and a few other toys added upon an exsisting model and engine that will not upset their 'oh-so-eco-friendly' PR these days.

[Fidgits]

Yeah, your right Charis.. and to take a direct comparisons..

the new Clio Sport - 200bhp

new Fiesta ST - 180bhp

Both sporting a 2.0 lump, and in the same class/price points as the new Yaris, and although the old T-sport never really did compete with the likes of the Clio Sport 172/182, i do think, as Charis said, Toyota haved moved away from making 'sporty' (and sports for that matter) cars towards the family market.

This is quite evident in them stopping the MR2 and Celica...

[Al J]

Yes, I'm definitely with Charis on this. It was about a year after the launch of the Yaris that the T Sport came along apparently but this time I don't see it happening. Toyota seem to want to make eco-friendly cars and that is now their niche market.

[Fidgits]

I have had a thought though...

Toyota created Lexus as a premium brand for the US market, and then span it out into a seperate company to take on the likes of Audi and BMW..

I wonder if they will start another subsiduary, aimed more at the sports market, as Nissan did with Infiniti in the US, as they have a lot of performance car expertise in house, and i doubt they would be willing to let it go... not to mention, the investment in Formula 1....

it certainly would make sense, 3 seperate brands aimed at distinct markets...

[Caz SR]

Interesting thought Ian, although I think it's highly unlikey from Mr T in the UK.

They just don't see the money in Performance anymore. Incentives from the EU regarding eco-friendly technology make it far more profitable to produce Green, family cars... although they should be named 'Vanilla.' In the long run, all car companies will shift in this direction. Toyota have just started the phasing earlier than most manufacturers, who are pushing their beasties (Fiesta ST, Golf GTI, Clio Sport) out now before it's near impossible to do so.

This is why I think it's unlikely there will be any more real 'Sport' cars/varients from Toyota. They've made it clear what their long term business direction is. You only have to look at their current above the line advertising to see that.

Who thinks that importing real perfomance cars from the likes of Japan will increase ten-fold as a result? I do... Until the Government crack down on that too.

[Fidgits]

Interesting thought Ian, although I think it's highly unlikey from Mr T in the UK.

They just don't see the money in Performance anymore. Incentives from the EU regarding eco-friendly technology make it far more profitable to produce Green, family cars... although they should be named 'Vanilla.' In the long run, all car companies will shift in this direction. Toyota have just started the phasing earlier than most manufacturers, who are pushing their beasties (Fiesta ST, Golf GTI, Clio Sport) out now before it's near impossible to do so.

This is why I think it's unlikely there will be any more real 'Sport' cars/varients from Toyota. They've made it clear what their long term business direction is. You only have to look at their current above the line advertising to see that.

Who thinks that importing real perfomance cars from the likes of Japan will increase ten-fold as a result? I do... Until the Government crack down on that too.

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thats why i thought they might start a seperate company? But i see your point, as they have done the same with Lexus..

The IS350 is faster than a M3, and is available in Japan and US, but not here, and I agree with your last point, i think the import buisness will explode, but somehow the goverment will levvy it even more...

[nam]

if we get the Yaris T-sport 106Bhp :( , not even a warm hatch compared to other models below

Yeah, your right Charis.. and to take a direct comparisons..

the new Clio Sport - 200bhp

new Fiesta ST - 180bhp

Both sporting a 2.0 lump, and in the same class/price points as the new Yaris, and although the old T-sport never really did compete with the likes of the Clio Sport 172/182, i do think, as Charis said, Toyota haved moved away from making 'sporty' (and sports for that matter) cars towards the family market.

This is quite evident in them stopping the MR2 and Celica...

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[BLiTZ]

I hate the current car markets - the eco geeks have killed off everyting worth having :(

[Al J]

I wonder if this sort of "nanny" thinking will herald a growth in the smaller, specialist car manufacturers. Probably not in today's economic climate though there are some 'smallish' companies keeping their heads above water.

[s0cks]

so buy old cars :)