Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Toyota Vitz


Toyota Vitz
2nd-gen Toyota Yaris 5-door (Europe)
ManufacturerToyota
Production1999–present
PredecessorToyota Starlet
ClassSubcompact/Supermini car
LayoutFF layout
Transmission(s)4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
CVT

The Toyota Vitz a 3 and 5-door hatchback (sold in different markets as the Toyota Yarisand formerly as the Toyota Echo) is a line of subcompact cars first launched by Toyota in 1999, designed by Sotiris Kovos. In Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the Vitz is sold as the Yaris Liftback (or simply Yaris).

The first generation Vitz was known as the Echo Hatchback in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and in the United States. In its second generation, the Vitz and Belta are marketed in US/Canada as the Yaris Hatchback and Yaris, respectively.

Contents

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[edit]First generation (1999–2005)

First generation
2003–2005 Toyota Echo (NCP10R MY03) 3-door hatchback (Australia)
Also calledToyota Echo
Toyota Yaris
Xiali Vizi (CN, since 2002)
Guangzhou-Toyota Yaris
Production1999–2005
AssemblyGuangzhou, China[1]
Toyota City, Japan
Valenciennes, France
Body style(s)3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
5-door MPV
Engine(s)1.0 L 1SZ-FE I4 50 kW (68 hp)
1.3 L 2NZ-FE I4 63 kW (86 hp)
1.3 L 2SZ-FE I4 64 kW (87 hp)
1.4 L 1ND-TV I4 55 kW (75 hp)Turbodiesel
1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4 78 kW (106 hp)
RS: 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4 Turbo, 150 hp (110 kW)
Wheelbase93.3 in (2370 mm)
Length147.0 in (3734 mm)
Width65.4 in (1661 mm)
Height59.1 in (1501 mm)
RelatedScion xA
Scion xB
Toyota Platz / Echo

[edit]Europe/Israel

The Toyota Yaris went on sale in Europe and Israel early in 1999. After the launch of the European Yaris hatchback in May 1999, a slightly modified version went on sale in Canada for the 2004 model year as the Echo hatchback, but not in the United States, where theToyota Echo sedan and coupe were the lone models. The Toyota Yaris was voted European Car of the Year in 2000, defeating the innovative Fiat Multipla and Opel Zafira by a narrow and large margin.

2003–2005 Toyota Echo (NCP10R MY03) Sportivo 3-door hatchback (Australia)

Instead of conventional instruments, the Yaris and Echo hatchbacks utilized digital instruments which were mounted in a "pod" in the center of thedashboard. The Canadian Echo hatchback (and the Yaris T Sport) had a conventional speedometer but it was still mounted in the center of the dashboard.

The European Yaris was initially available withpetrol-powered 4-cylinder 1.0 L or 1.3 L engines with Toyota's VVT-i technology, with the warm hatch 1.5 L T Sport following in 2001. After the 2003 facelift, a 1.4 L D4-D diesel engine offering 75 hp (56 kW) was also included in the lineup. This diesel engine is also licensed to BMWfor use in their MINI One D model. The use of sophisticated engine management systems was said to give the equivalent of 1.4 litre performance from a 1.0 litre engine while maintaining low fuel consumption and emissions.

On most European and Israeli markets, the Yaris was a stronger seller than the Starlet that it replaced.

2000 EuroNCAP crash test scores:[2]

  • Adult Occupant: 4/5 stars, 29 points
  • Pedestrian (pre-2002 rating): 2/4 stars, 13 points

[edit]Japan

The Japanese Vitz RS (European Yaris T-Sport) was introduced in 2001 and was powered by a 1.5 L (108 hp) engine, shared with the Echo, Vios, as well as the Scion xA. The 1.5 L T Sport was marketed as 'more fun to drive' than the base models because of a sportier suspension and extra power compared to the 1.3 L (90 hp) model. Later, the Vitz RS was modified by TRD (Toyota Racing Developments), and was fitted with a turbo-charger. A limited run was produced with a power output of around 120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp) and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 7 seconds. Note that there is also a 1.3L JDM Vitz RS with the 2nz-fe engine 7–10 km/lite in city 12–13 km/lite which shares brakes, bodykit, headlights, suspension and interior with the 1.5L vitz RS 5.5-9.5 km/lite in city 10-12.8 km/lite on highway.

[edit]North America

Toyota Echo 3-door (Canada)

The Echo sold in very high volumes in Canada, where smaller cars are much more popular than in the US. Sales were so high that Toyota introduced the 3 and 5-door hatchback models to the Canadian Toyota lineup for the 2004 model year. They were sold as the 'Echo hatchback' and look almost identical to the European Yaris, but with minor changes (e.g. larger bumpers) to meet Canadian safety requirements.

[edit]Australia

Toyota Vitz RS 3-door hatchback (New Zealand)

The Echo was also very popular in Australia. First introduced in late 1999 to replace the aging Starlet, the Echo was available as a 3 or 5-door hatchback, fitted only with the 1.3l VVT-i engine. An Echo Sportivo variant, fitted with the 1.5l VVT-i engine, was made available for a limited time in Australia. The Sportivo was very similar to the European Yaris T-Sport.

[edit]Yaris Verso

2000-2004 Toyota Yaris Verso

An unusual addition to the Yaris range came in late 1999 with the Yaris Verso, or Echo Verso in some markets, a small MPV which used the same running gear as the conventional hatchback, but was designed to have an even more practical interior. In Japan, the model bore the name of 'Funcargo'. The model was replaced by the Ractis in 2004.


[edit]Second generation (2005-present)

Second generation
2007-2008 Toyota Yaris 3-door (US)
Also calledToyota Yaris hatchback
Toyota Yaris Sport (Chile)
Guangzhou-Toyota Yaris
Production2005–2010 (Japan)
2005-present (worldwide excluding Japan)
Model year(s)2006–present
AssemblyKanegasaki, Isawa, Iwate, Japan
Valenciennes, France
Chachoengsao, Thailand
Obu, Aichi, Japan
Guangzhou, China[3]
Body style(s)3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
Engine(s)1.0 L 1KR-FE
1.3 L 2NZ-FE
1.3 L 2SZ-FE
1.3 L 1NR-FE
1.5 L 1NZ-FE
1.6 L 4ZR-FE
1.8 L 2ZR-FE
1.4 L 1ND-TV Turbodiesel
Wheelbase96.9 in (2461 mm)
Length150.6 in (3825 mm)
Width66.7 in (1694 mm)
Height60.0 in (1524 mm)
RelatedToyota Belta / Yaris sedan
Toyota Vios
Scion xD

Toyota redesigned the Vitz in early 2005, going on sale in Japan that February. The Toyota Belta sedan, shares underpinnings with the Vitz. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's European ED2 design studios, the Belta was designed at their Japanese design studios. While the outgoing Vitz hatchback and Platz sedan look and feel virtually alike, the redesigned Vitz and Belta are more subtly related. The two cars share a frame and the drivetrain components however the sheet metal is different.

The European, Australian, Canadian, Mexican, and Puerto Rican markets saw the second generation Vitz near the end of 2005. In the Australian and North American markets, the car was sold as the "Yaris" for the first time. The production Yaris for the US market was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

The new Yaris is built in Japan, France, and Thailand.

The previous 4-cylinder 1.0 VVT-i engine was replaced by the 3-cylinder engine also found in the Toyota Aygo. The 1.3 liter engine was revised to offer slightly more power, and the 1.4 D-4D got a 15 PS (11 kW; 15 hp) boost to 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp), the former engine allowing it to achieve exceptional fuel economy. The Yaris became the first car in its class to offer nine airbags.[citation needed]

For model year 2007 on Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematics service, is offered as an option.

Facelifted Toyota Yaris 5-door (Europe)

It has continued to prove popular in Europe, particularly in Britain, where it competes with models such as the Mazda2, VW Polo, Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, and Citroen C2/Peugeot 207. It also has been very popular in Pakistan.

In January 2009, Toyota recalled 1.28 million vehicles worldwide based on the Yaris platform, such as the Vitz, Belta and the Ractis. The recall is based on a seat belt defect that, in severe front-end collisions, could cause a foam pad in the vehicle to ignite.[4]

[edit]North America

The Canadian Yaris hatchback is available in 3 and 5-door models, running on the Toyota NZ engine, a 1.5 L 4-cylinder VVT-i engine rated 106 bhp (79 kW) and 103 lb·ft (140 N·m). The 2006 Yaris with the 1.5 liter engine can achieve fuel economy ratings of 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) during highway driving and 34 mpg-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg-imp) during city driving. 3-door CE and 5-door LE versions come with 14 in (355.6 mm) wheels, while RS models are equipped with 15 in (381 mm) alloys with standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). In addition, 2008 RS models include new front and back skirts.

The US Yaris is similar to the Canadian variant, and is the successor to the previous North American Toyota Echo. In the US, the 3-door Vitz shares the Yaris name with the Toyota Belta sedan. The 3-door model is called the 'Yaris Liftback', while the 5-door model will be sold starting with the 2009 model year in the United States and competes with the similarly-equipped Scion xD. The 2008 model year US Yaris comes standard with the 1.5 liter VVT-i engine producing 106 hp and 103 lb·ft and five-speed manual transmission, the four-speed automatic ECT being optional. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg 7-9.5 km/lite in the city and 36 mpg 11-12.8 km/lite on the highway with the manual transmission.[5]While front airbags are standard, as mandated by the law, ABS and side airbags are available only as an option.[6]

In Canada, the CE, LE, and RS packages are replaced by the more modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages.

For the 2009 year, the Yaris 5-door liftbacks join the lineup of the existing 4-door sedans and 3-door liftbacks because of the increased demand for fuel efficient subcompact cars. In addition to the new 5-door liftback, all 2009 Yaris models come standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear curtain side airbags. For 2009, Toyota also added cruise control as an option on liftback models, and has added a few more color choices.[7]

The Yaris has been praised by the automotive press for its extremely high fuel economy, but criticized for its excessive body roll (due to a soft suspension and high ride height) and the lack of a manual transmission on 5-door models.

The 2010 model has a 5-speed manual option for the 5-door. It also has the Star Safety System - Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) + Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

[edit]Safety

2005 EuroNCAP crash test (5-door):[8]

  • Adult: 5/5 stars, 35 points
  • Child: 3/5 stars, 34 points
  • Pedestrian: 2/4 stars, 18 points

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test (5-door):[9]

  • Frontal driver: 4/5 stars
  • Frontal passenger: 4/5 stars
  • Side driver (side airbags): 4/5 stars
  • Side rear passenger (side airbags): 4/5 stars
  • Rollover: 4/5 stars

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test (3-door):[10]

  • Frontal driver: 5/5 stars
  • Frontal passenger: 4/5 stars
  • Side driver: (no side airbags) 3/5 stars
  • Side driver: (side airbags):[11] 5/5 stars
  • Side rear passenger (with or without side airbag): 3/5 stars
  • Rollover: 4/5 stars

[edit]Malaysia

The Yaris is also available in Malaysia, powered by the 1NZ-FE engine with 4-cylinder DOHC with VVT-i. It comes in 2 trim levels: 1.5G and 1.5S, both with 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT and Gate Shifter, featuring an output of 80 kW@6000 rpm, and a torque of 141 N·m (104 lb·ft)@4200 rpm.

The 1.5S variant comes with 15” solid disc brakes for the front wheels, front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirt and rear spoiler, amber Optitron meter, a black center cluster, with a steering wheel, gearshift and knob in leather.

[edit]Indonesia

The Yaris in Indonesia is powered with 1NZ-FE engine, same as Malaysian versions. The transmissions are 4-speed super ECT automatic transmission and 5-speed Manual. It comes in 3 trims, E, J and S. In 2009, there is a minor change for Yaris.

[edit]RS

The Toyota Yaris RS was launched in 2007. It was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show and is powered by the new 130 bhp (97 kW) 1.8 2ZR-FE DOHC L dual VVT-i I4 gasoline engine, which can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 10 seconds. The RS features 17 in (431.8 mm) alloy wheels, a mesh grille, a redesigned rear bumper, deep side skirts and a tail spoiler. It also features redesigned headlights and taillights. As in the previous T-Sport, there are extra rear lights on the bumper. Essentially, it is a JDM Vitz RS fitted with a 2ZR-FE engine.

[edit]Third generation (2010-)

MotorTrend reported it would be based on Toyota iQ platform.[12]

The hybrid version was reported to go on sale in Japan in 2011, based on the next generation platform.[13] However, Autocar reported a Toyota source claiming that hybrid version was not planned.[14]

[edit]Hybrid gas-electric version

Toyota could build a Yaris-based hybrid electric car in France for sale in Europe.[15]

[edit]References

[edit]External links

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