Brussels, Belgium,
02
October
2014
|
02:15
Europe/Amsterdam

New 2014 Yaris made in Europe for European customers

Designed at Toyota's European Design Centre, the new Yaris was created in France by European engineers for European customers. Reflecting the highly competitive nature of the B-segment in Europe, its distinctive styling ensures that it really stands out from the crowd.

Discussing the new 2014 Yaris, Alessandro Massimino, Product Manager at Toyota Motor Europe said: "Yaris has always been a very powerful proposition from a rational perspective: great packaging, durability, cost of ownership... And we've had an extremely positive response to the hybrid version. So, with the new 2014 Yaris, we wanted to go one step further: to create a vehicle that would appeal not only to our customer's brains, but also to their hearts.'

 

Dynamic, Emotive Exterior Design 

New, 2014 Yaris features an even stronger, more dynamic execution of Toyota's bold Under Priority frontal design language with Keen Look detailing. The narrow upper and large, trapezoidal lower grilles which hallmark Under Priority design now merge to form a powerful, cross-shaped structure.

A chrome trim bar runs through the length of the upper grille into Keen Look headlamp clusters, tying the frontal elements together with a strong, horizontal emphasis of vehicle width. The headlamp clusters themselves incorporate new projector lamp technology for both high and low beams, and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Underlined by a 'floating' spoiler which further strengthens the dominance of the Under Priority design language, the large, trapezoidal lower grille focuses attention on the bottom of the new Yaris, reinforcing the dynamic potential of its ground-hugging stance and low centre of gravity.

To the rear, a new bumper design gives the appearance of a broader, lower stance, whilst the integral diffuser strengthens the new Yaris' road presence with a more sporting, self-confident image. Upgraded rear lamp clusters incorporate a new, LED light graphic which further enhances the vehicle's personality with a unique lighting signature made possible by using light-guide technology.

Unlike the previous generation Yaris, all powertrain derivatives now share the same overall styling, with more subtle cues alone identifying different versions, including the Yaris Hybrid.

 

More Sophisticated Interior with Enhanced Sensory Quality

The new interior design reflects three key, customer-informed objectives: enhanced roominess and dynamism in the cabin, improved sensory quality and overall visual simplification with better colour variation and more sophisticated finishes.

Creating a more horizontal feel to the dashboard, the upper instrument panel is thinner, and the upper surface of the driver's instrument binnacle has been restyled for a slimmer look. The door panel has also been redesigned to combine a more fluid, dynamic appearance with a larger soft-touch area and greater functionality.

The centre console has been raised by 23 mm to reduce the length of the gear shift lever. Now featuring the latest Toyota Touch 2 multimedia systems, the console touch screen has been increased in size from 6.1" to 7". This visually emphasises one of the Yaris' unique features.

The area of soft touch finishes has been increased within the cabin. The upper instrument panel grain finish has been changed for improved tactility and a less glossy appearance. The Yaris-trademark, sculpted central dashboard panel features an increase in soft-padding thickness, and its graining differs between model grades.

Throughout, normal chrome trim has been replaced by satin chrome, giving a more modern, sophisticated appearance. The new, 2014 Yaris further benefits from a range of all-new seat trims, with a new fabric pattern and colour for each grade.

 

New Grade Strategy and Equipment for Broader Appeal

Matching the B-segment's widening base, new 2014 Yaris offers broader appeal through a range of more clearly differentiated grades, each with their own unique character.

This differentiation is reinforced through grade-specific interior colour schemes, and varying treatments to numerous exterior and interior elements, including the lower grille, alloy wheels, seats, centre console, instrument panel, and steering wheel inserts. For instance, diverse treatments of the lower grille and the grille surround inserts will identify the different model grades: the Yaris Hybrid will feature a piano black grille with satin chrome surround, reflecting its high-tech credentials.

High equipment levels feature throughout the grade structure, with a leather steering wheel, air-conditioning and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system fitted as standard from Active grade. A comprehensive range of optional equipment includes Toyota Touch 2 with Go, an enhanced, full map navigation system with online connectivity.

In addition to the conventional vertical range structure, the choice of trim finishes has been extended horizontally with the arrival of two additional grades. A dynamic Style grade features special 16-inch alloy wheels, a unique, square mesh radiator grille pattern and optional Red pack interior highlighting.

Focusing on comfort and quality of life onboard, the Lounge grade is differentiated by 15-inch alloy wheels, chrome inserts surrounding a black radiator grille and optional Light Brown interior trim for a warmer and softer appearance.

Though the 2014 Yaris range now offers closer styling unity, subtle differences still allow the range-topping Hybrid grade to stand out. It features a unique front and rear LED lighting signature, a piano black radiator grille and specially-designed 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels. A high-tech interior is finished in a blend of black and grey, with blue instrument back-lighting and partial Alcantara® upholstery.

 

Widest Powertrain Choice in the B-Segment

The new Yaris offers a choice of four powertrains: two petrol, one diesel and one hybrid. The comprehensively improved 3-cylinder 1.0 petrol unit is the first member of a new family of 14 highly thermally efficient engines to be launched globally by 2015.

Alternating between the Atkinson and Otto cycles for the optimum combination of fuel efficiency and performance, the 1.0 litre unit's exceptional thermal efficiency of 37% means that it now boasts a combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions reduced to 95 g/km.

1.33 petrol and 1.4 diesel engines have benefited from modifications aimed at reducing noise and vibration. Mated to 6-speed manual gearboxes, they both enable the Yaris to reach a top speed of 175 km/h with fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 4.8 l/100 km for the 1.33 petrol version and 3.8 l/100 km for the 1.4 D-4D. The 1.33 petrol unit is available with a continuously variable Multidrive transmission.

The Yaris Hybrid is powered by a 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle 1,497cc engine. This hybrid powertrain has also been revamped. In order to further reduce internal friction, the valve lifters have been coated with a diamond like carbon (DLC) material. In addition, the software of the Hybrid system has evolved in order to improve energy recovery. As a result, the Yaris Hybrid's CO2 emissions and combined cycle fuel consumption are still further reduced to 75 g/km and 3.3 l/100 km respectively.

 

Improved Driving Pleasure

The 2014 Yaris features comprehensive, customer feedback-driven improvements to its ride comfort and handling, with a significant reduction in Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH).

A more rigid upper and lower body structure offers a more direct and linear response to steering inputs, allowing a more comfortable ride whilst maintaining balanced body control.

The rear suspension has been redesigned to incorporate a new, stiffer torsion beam. Combined with softer coil springs, this improves ride comfort whilst maintaining good body roll control. The front suspension also features softer coil springs for greater ride comfort, whilst the introduction of rebound springs within the shock absorbers increases front anti-roll stiffness, improving handling and reducing body roll during cornering.

In addition, new front and rear shock absorber valve technology reduces the transmission of vibrations from the road surface and further improves the new Yaris' ride quality without compromising its handling agility.

New electric power steering control logic takes advantage of these bodyshell stiffness and suspension enhancements to offer customers significantly improved steering feel, responsiveness and accuracy for a more engaging driving experience.

The 2014 Yaris also benefits from a marked reduction in interior noise levels through three key measures: the reduction of high frequency noise from the engine and the road surface the reduction of low frequency noise from the engine and the reduction of wind noise during high speed driving.

 

Yaris Success Boosted by Hybrid Technology

Europe is the world's fastest growing hybrid market. Sales increased by 34% in 2013, with the region accounting for 12% of total global hybrid sales.

Over the same period, European sales of Toyota hybrids have risen by some 43%, and 1 in 5 of all Toyota passenger vehicles sold is now a hybrid.

The Yaris Hybrid sold almost 50,000 units in 2013, and now accounts for 31% of total Yaris sales in Western Europe. It is the best-selling alternative powertrain in the B-segment, and the second-best-selling car in the entire European alternative powertrain market (EV, Hybrid and PHV) just behind the Toyota Auris Hybrid.

Toyota's hybrid powertrain offers customers a uniquely smooth, quiet and entirely intuitive driving experience. It delivers strong, seamless acceleration from a standstill and, under electric motor power alone, near-silent running with zero CO2, NOx and particulate emissions.

Through these attributes, all Toyota hybrids not only generate significantly stronger brand loyalty than petrol or diesel powertrains, but also consistently instil greater loyalty to hybrid powertrains themselves than any other manufacturer.

With rival hybrids only now entering diverse market segments, Toyota's early investment in this technology has enabled it to sustain a clear lead in alternative powertrain technology. And it anticipates that, by 2020, 15% of all passenger vehicles will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain.