Yaris DPL 2011: Increased interior roominess, greater comfort and improved sensory quality

The key interior design goal for the new Yaris was to create a more driver-focused cockpit with an intuitive layout. The driver's and front passenger's spaces are clearly divided, emphasising a new focus on the driver ergonomics. And perceptions of sensory quality throughout are enhanced through highly tactile, premium quality detailing new to the B-segment. The incremental saving of space through careful detailing throughout the interior, makes the new Yaris one of the roomiest vehicles in its segment, with class-leading rear seat knee and headroom, as well as segment-best loadspace length and width.

All-new Interior — enhanced spaciousness and improved sensory quality

Emphasising the breadth of the cabin, the new dashboard design is 125mm wider and 40 mm lower than that of the previous model. Incorporating strong horizontal lines to create a feeling of width, the dashboard is dominated by a sculpted, soft-padded section which flows away from the driver's space into matching, upper door panel pads, heightening the sense of interior spaciousness.

Dashboard and door pad colour is matched to seat upholstery inserts according to the grade structure, reinforcing the high-quality feel of the interior. An overall feeling of spaciousness and light is enhanced by larger front quarterlight glazing.

Perceptions of sensory quality are improved through highly tactile, premium quality detailing. The driver's instruments, Multimedia touch screen and air vents are trimmed with gun metal finish, concave cross-sectioned rings. And all controls and switchgear feature chrome plated convex cross-sections.

Adding a sense of fun, the grain texture of the dashboard and door panels decreases in density from left to right, giving an impression of lateral expansion. And the speaker grilles are finished in a unique bubble motif.

The spaciousness and high sensory quality of the all-new interior is further reinforced through the Yaris' large, all-glass panoramic sunroof. The structure is separated into front and rear sections allowing more flexibility for front and rear occupant to open or close, each fitted with a 20% light transmittance roller shade.

Driver-focused cockpit — improved adjustability and ergonomic excellence

Unlike previous Yaris generations, the instrument binnacle is now positioned central to the steering wheel. A new, easy-to-read, amber/red backlit combination meter features a large, 120 mm diameter central speedometer. All driver-focused controls and adjacent centre console switchgear are ergonomically located for high visibility with minimum eye movement, and ease of use.

The front seats feature an entirely new framework offering improved body-holding performance and excellent ride comfort. The seat back offers improved lateral hold at waist level, with a more open, relaxed fit at shoulder height. The width of the seat cushion has been increased and the side sections raised for improved holding. The seating surface area has been increased and the front edge of the seat cushion raised to help reduce long-distance fatigue.

In the interests of improved comfort, driver's seat vertical adjustability has been increased by 15 mm to a maximum 60 mm. The seat's 240 mm sliding range remains the same, but the 16, 15 mm adjustment steps have been divided into 24 smaller, 10 mm increments to help secure an ideal driving position. A driver's seat armrest is also available for greater comfort.

Further enhancing driver comfort, the three-spoke, stitched leather steering wheel has a new, more comfortable grip cross-section, enlarged finger rests for a more natural grip, and protrusions on the back of the rim where it connects to the spoke for enhanced grip feel. The steering column rake has been lowered by 3 degrees to 25 degrees to deliver a more engaging driving position. The wheel itself offers 30 mm rake and 40 mm reach adjustment, and features a flat bottom rim section for better knee clearance.

Interior packaging - class-leading passenger and loadspace roominess

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, passenger accommodation aboard the new Yaris has not been compromised. Wheelbase length has been increased by 50 mm and interior width by 30 mm. As a result, though the passenger space length within the bodyshell remains at 1,810 mm, the percentage of interior space available within the overall length of new Yaris has increased by 2% to 65%.

Without compromise to either comfort or safety, both front and rear seatbacks, as well as the tailgate, have been thinned to maximise roominess throughout. The Yaris' front to rear hip point couple distance of 865 mm remains one of the longest in the B-segment. These attributes increase rear passenger legroom by 35 mm to 645 mm, and rear seat knee-room by 30 mm to a class-leading 120 mm. Though the ceiling is 5 mm lower than before, there is no change in the new Yaris' segment-best rear seat headroom.

The front seats of three-door Yaris versions feature an easy entry, walk-in mechanism operated by a lever located on the seat shoulder. The passenger seat simultaneously tilts and slides forwards to allow ease of entry to, and egress from, the rear seats, a full memory function returning the seat to its previous position. The driver's seat mechanism incorporates a recliner memory to return the seat back to its previous angle of recline.

With the tailgate lock and striker mechanism significantly reduced in both size and weight to gain 96 mm in loadspace length, the overall length of the luggage compartment has been increased by 145 mm to a class-leading 710 mm. With the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat, the loadspace length has been increased by 85 mm to 1,500 mm. The loadspace width has also been increased by up to 55 mm, resulting in a segment-best maximum of 1,365 mm.

Overall luggage capacity within the two-tier loadspace has been increased to 286 litres, rising to 768 litres with the split rear seats folded flat. Locating the dual-position deck board on the upper level creates a 633 mm long, 1,006 mm wide and 120 mm deep concealed storage compartment. For ease of loading, the tailgate cill has been lowered by 7 mm to just 660 mm easily the lowest cill height in this class. The tailgate opening has also been widened by 20 mm for greater convenience.

Focus on detail — for greater comfort and convenience

Every aspect of cabin function detailing has been carefully considered to ensure ease of use and optimised occupant comfort.

The new Yaris features an improved door closing operation. Essential in the urban environment, a new, three step door opening mechanism incorporates 25 and 37 degree intermediate holding positions, whilst the door itself has been made easier to close, with less effort required. High grade model, keyless entry door handles now replace a black push switch with a fully integrated touch sensor mechanism.

A pantograph-type, single front windscreen wiper replaces the twin wipers of the outgoing model. This system improves wiping performance at high vehicle speeds, generates lower wind noise and, through a lower blade height and the use of a fin cover, improves vehicle aerodynamics. Screen-wash is dispensed along the entire length of the blade itself, reducing view obstruction during application.

Fully described in the Grade Structure chapter, the new Yaris may be equipped with Toyota Touch -a new approach to affordable touch screen multimedia systems, and -Toyota Touch & Go —the best value satellite navigation system on the market.

For the first time, the new Yaris may be equipped with dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a ventilated glove box mirrors the climate control system settings. Cruise control is available as an option, and a Follow-Me-Home headlight function keeps the low beam lamps illuminated for between 30 and 120 seconds after the vehicle has been locked.

The new Yaris offers occupants the full range of storage compartments essential to everyday family use. There are six drinks holders spaced throughout the cabin (including a 1 litre bottle holder), and 13 other storage spaces, such as a ventilated glove box, secret in-dash document storage, dashboard and centre console bins and trays, front and rear door pockets and a concealed storage compartment beneath the loadspace deck board.

NVH measures — for a quieter, stress-free interior

The new Yaris benefits from a variety of measures designed to minimise wind, road and engine noise, resulting in a quiet cabin environment.

A Yaris first, a sound insulating acoustic glass windscreen featuring an inner layer of film helps reduce wind, road and engine noise. The optimal placement of air spats, the aerodynamic efficiency of new door mirrors and the new, single wiper blade further reduce wind noise.

Sound-insulating and sound-absorbing materials have been extensively used throughout the bodyshell and interior construction. The transmission of engine compartment noise has been reduced through the application of a high-density insulator to the bonnet, a high-density engine undercover silencer, front wing insulation and, another Yaris first, a cowl insulator.

A front wing protector has been fitted between the wing and the front pillar to further reduce noise transmission to the cabin. Both wheel arch insulation and a lower rocker protector reduce the sound of loose material kicked up from the road surface.

A sound absorbing/insulating dashboard inner silencer further diminishes engine noise within the cabin. Comprehensive cabin noise-inhibiting measures include the use of damping sheets throughout the bodyshell floor, and the application of sound-insulating and —absorbing materials to the instrument panel, centre console, transmission tunnel, door and luggage compartment trims, headlining, carpeting and loadspace floor.

In addition, the introduction of foam and fixed foam sound insulation materials within the A, B and C pillars as well as the door cill and head sections minimises the transmission of noise through the bodyshell.