Yes, there is a brand new Toyota coming to showrooms and it is a hatchback. Called ‘Yaris’ this is not the first time Toyota has sold a Yaris in Malaysia and you probably have forgotten the name or did not come across this compact reliable machine until now as before it was imported into Malaysia which meant its asking price was higher than expected for the market to embrace it fully.
The new Toyota Yaris makes a stronger style statement, displaying new front and rear designs that give the car a stronger harmony of design and project a more active and dynamic look. The appearance is also more refined, with detailing in the bodywork and the cabin and new colour choices that enhance the model’s already high levels of perceived quality.
Exterior design
Changes to the interior promote a more modern feel, in particular with new colours, trims and improvements to the instruments and controls. All versions apart from the Entry grade model now feature a multi-information display in the driver’s instrument binnacle.
Increased customer choice extends to a tried and tested reliable and efficient 1.5-litre petrol engine, designed to address “real world” fuel economy. The new unit delivers more power and torque than the previous engine, yet also posts an improvement in fuel economy.
Toyota’s approach to the new Yaris is not just about improving the car, but also creating a stronger model range designed to meet the requirements and preferences of a wider and increasingly selective customer base with a wider choice of the contrast exterior paintwork finishes which also includes a new grade, designed to give the car’s style and detailing a more elegant direction.
Interior design
The focus for changes to the Yaris’ interior was to keep the look and ambience of the cabin feeling fresh and modern, introducing new trim details and upgrading the instrumentation and controls to ensure excellent ergonomics and HMI (human-machine interface) performance.
Different information and vehicle data can be selected and adjusted using control switches on the multi-function steering wheel, which itself has a new look with the addition of piano black trim inserts. A new chrome trim frames the combimeter, adding to the more refined effect.
Other detail changes include new instrument illumination and a more streamlined, seamless execution of the multimedia screen and controls in the centre console, including new switches that are both neater in appearance and easier to operate.
Now why they don’t offer leather is questionable.