The well-established European brand in Europe has shown the world a new generation of the traditional small Yaris model. The car, adapted to the needs of European customers (Yaris takes various forms in other markets), is one of the most advanced cars in its class. Compared with the previous generation, the new product is slightly smaller in order to meet the requirements of customers.
The world premiere of the new Toyota Yaris was a little unconventional "in stages." We could see the car in Amsterdam in a few days, but the real premiere was the news of the "home" in Japan on Wednesday, October 16, at eight in the morning.
The fourth-generation Yaris is a completely new car that has nothing to do with the previous one except for the name. Although it remains a hatchback segment, the philosophy of the car has changed in many ways.
Previously, Yaris was one of the largest models in the segment at the time of its launch, and this helped him survive with several changes in appearance since 2011. The previous three generations of Yaris also featured a rather conservative design concept.
Novelty is fundamentally different. He wants to appeal to a younger audience, adapted to a radical design based on the new TNGA platform such as GA-B, which is able to maintain interior space, reduce the center of gravity and improve ride quality.
As always, Yaris this time will pay for slightly better products in its class, mainly due to the technology used - it relies mainly on a hybrid drive, which has a new layout with a three-cylinder engine. The entire engine range, at least initially, will be a three-cylinder. While hybrid devices now account for about 60 percent of Yaris sales, the new generation should reach 80 percent.
New platform
All major changes in the new generation of Yaris begin with the new platform on which the novelty stands. This is another version of the global TNGA architecture, this time for small segment B. The new platform uses stiffer sheet metal elements to reinforce the entire vehicle structure and significantly improve handling.
In front - a more rigid structure that carries the elements of the axis, as well as connected to a new subframe reinforcement frame. It carries a power steering column for a change. “This high-strength configuration allows the driver to convey driver instructions more accurately and simply than in the previous generation,” said Luc Nuit, Toyota B-segment model manager.
The front stiffeners continue under the front passenger seats. “Passengers sit lower than in the previous generation, and overall there is a closer connection between the driver and the car,” says Nuitz. At the rear of the platform, under the rear seats, is a rechargeable battery of a hybrid system that does not take up space in the trunk. Again, we can find higher strength profiles that reduce body twisting. The rear axle has the shape of a classic torsion bar, which is standard in this category.
The new platform also allowed changing the proportions of the car. The lower seat mounts mean that the entire body was lowered by about 40 millimeters. It is also slightly shorter (5 millimeters) and significantly wider (50 millimeters). Yaris runs counter to the trend - while most of its competitors outgrew it, the new generation of the car has declined slightly. Toyota wants the city car to be especially maneuverable in the city, for example, when parking.
The car's center of gravity fell by about 15 millimeters, the driver's seat shifted back by about 60 millimeters, which led to a more dynamic fit. The increased rigidity of the body made it possible to use softer springs and play more with the chassis, so the new Yaris should not only be more dynamic, but also more comfortable.
Continued in the next part of the review....