Red alert for turbo Yaris

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Source: Auto Express



Unveiled at recnt Tokyo Auto Salon - a motor show that gives Japanese makers the chance to let their hair down - the Turbo Modellista is set to go on sale in its home market in the next few months, and previews a European version. Based on the Japan-only Yaris RS, it uses a 1.5-litre engine turbocharged by Toyota's in-house tuner, Modellista, and Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

Power is increased by 40bhp to 150bhp at 6,000rpm, and with 196Nm of torque, the newcomer should cover 0-60mph in less than eight seconds on its way to a 135mph top speed.

To ensure all the power reaches the road, TRD has equipped the car with a limited slip differential, and further improved the handling by lowering the ride height 20mm and fitting specially tuned sports suspension.

The looks are enhanced by a muscular bodykit, with large intakes at the front to feed air into the intercooler, plus 17-inch OZ Racing alloys. Inside, the Turbo Concept gets specially designed instrumentation, which includes a turbo boost gauge, plus a leatherbound steering wheel and gearknob.
 
If it comes to the states I may be on the waiting list. :sly:
That's a sweet little ride. Definately something I'm going to keep my eye on.

Contrary to Mark T, I'm happy to see it remained in the 4-door trim. 👍
Nothing is better than a practical car that performs.
 
Ah, but the kicker is that we don't have that rather good looking five-door version, only the three-door hatch and the four-door sedan/saloon. Doesn't the US version already hit the streets with a bit over 100 BHP? An extra 50 BHP would be excellent, and would be a good way to stick it in Honda and Nissan's face. This is all indeed very "un-Toyota" at the moment...
 
Damn, 0-60 in under 8 seconds, as compared to the mega slow model. Perhaps it'll selll similarly to the VW New Beetle.
 
Kent
Contrary to Mark T, I'm happy to see it remained in the 4-door trim. 👍
Nothing is better than a practical car that performs.
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Couldn't have agreed more. I'm still getting over the deletion of 4-Door M3, personally. :lol:
 
YSSMAN
Ah, but the kicker is that we don't have that rather good looking five-door version, only the three-door hatch and the four-door sedan/saloon.
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Whaaaaaaaa? I checked the sites, and you are correct.

But in Canada, there is the normal 4-door sedan, and both 3 door and 5 door hatches. Both hatches are identical in appearance and the 5 door even sells far better than the 3 door. Odd.
 
It's even more sexy than that of the final run of Fortwo recently.

TRD is coming back with a vengeance I see, Toyota Australia already wrapping up their testing and finalising the TRD Aurion ready for Aussie roads.

An extra 50hp sounds big, for such a small vehicle and as for the three-door; it would be a much better option than the five.

Why? Nobody buys a Modellista 'TRD' branded Toyota at a premium if they aren't going to push it a little further than normal; a pocket-rocket three-door would prove a funner, better drive. (Nobody that's normal, that is.)

 
a6m5
Couldn't have agreed more. I'm still getting over the deletion of 4-Door M3, personally. :lol:
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They should make a 3 and 5 door version. That way, were all happy. :)
 
I hope it's a damn sight better than any other recent Toyota 'hot-hatch' - they don't have a good track record of this sort of thing.
 
I seem to remember a turbo concept of the previous generation Yaris/Echo being test driven by a few different car mags.

Perhaps this is closer to production than we may expect.
 
I wonder if it will come to Australia. People here tend to like power with allright fuel economy yet we don't get any of these cars.
Don't like our luck though as Toyota didn't bring the previous model here (the vitz/yaris/echo) and didn't even bring the turbo starlet. Hell the only performace car's Toyota brang here were the supras for a while and the celica which was a lemon because we got it with the stupid 2.2l camry engine. The MR2 was good but they brought out a hair dressers car to replace it. And don't even sugest the corrolla sportivo. That thing is utterly hopeless.
 
a6m5
Couldn't have agreed more. I'm still getting over the deletion of 4-Door M3, personally. :lol:
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Indeed, I almost bought one of those back in the day and only managed to find a handful of beat-down 4-doors (which pushed me away).

Personally, I've always thought two-door cars were odd to get in and out off simply because the door is so dang big. Most two doors I've driven or taken a ride in had huge doors and handles way up at the front (so the front seats would be able to reach the handle). That makes it a real bother to get out in tight parking spots.
It's like you open the door and all of the door's weight is way out past your handle's position, put laws of leverage into play and that makes for one heck of a ding on the car next to you (not to mention on the lining of your own door).

That said, I've always bought four-doors. :sly:

Btw, as much as I would be interested in buying this car... I wouldn't be able to. :ouch:
Louisiana has, absolutely, the worst roads in the United States (unless you include those ice roads through Alaska). We get horrible drainage problems thanks to incredible rain, with that comes the erosion of roads (especially on the shoulders), and with the crooked government we constantly have horrible pot-holes capable of swallowing cars like a yaris.
Add rain to those pot-holes and you'll have a reason to buy atleast one new rim every year. :indiff:

(hence my choice to buy something with lots of ride height and plenty of tire give ... 195/65x15")
 
Bring it here. I will buy it. Completely serious.

I like the Vitz 5-door more than the Yaris 3- or 4- door. I think the 5-door just looks more proportionate, less cutesy.
 
2007.toyota.yaris.20032817-E.jpg


Simply put, this version of the Yaris is neither good looking nor all that practical. Toyota assumes that most people would go for the sedan, and they are probably right, but the car is just hideous. Add the hatch and the styling from the three-door model and it should work out well. Toyota will probably be silly enough to sell the Tubo model in America as the sedan, and that would make me sad. I'd much rather see it in the three-door. Less weight, looks better, cheaper too.
 
New Turbo VItz = I may have a new car to add to my favorites list!

That car is freakin hot even if it is a five door! :)
 
How much you want to bet this thing ends up being a tuner favorite? I would probably do without the side vents on the front bumper, but the rest of it is sweetness. This isn't going to be the new favorite Toyota (unless they give it RWD to either this car or the Camry or especially the Corolla), but this is probably going to be one of the best offerings if it comes stateside. Who says fun is only for big cars with serious power? This little baby can go!

And now for another difference of opinion. I personally like the hatchhack a bit more than the sedan, even if it is "cutesy." The Yaris sedan looks 250,000 times better than its predecesor- the Echo. I hated the Echo. This Yaris sedan is a welcome replacement. In terms of regular cars, I think the European style of cars has been among some of my favorites. This Yaris actually looks VERY nice to me. Remember the Echo before thinking about this Yaris sedan. Hell, we didn't get the Echo hatchback when that ugly thing was around in the States. I haven't seen too many of the sedans on the road. I do think it's a very nice car, however. It's not meant to be a tire-shredder, an all-attitude car, or anything like that. Toyota could if they wanted to. But since we have this model, it does pretty well at being a stylish and affordable automobile most non-ego folks would like.

Out of 100%, I give this turbo Yaris hatchback an approval of 95%. I give the Yaris sedan 90% approval. Good job, Toyota. You have a fan here. Maybe I can get up close to them at this year's Houston Auto Show this weekend and next.
 
I often wonder if it will take Toyota to convince VW that we (Americans) want the Polo and in GM's case, the Corsa, to come stateside. Now that Ford is probably brining the Fiesta over, shouldn't they all be looking at small-cars even closer than they are today?
 
What I'm waiting to hear about is whether they've upgraded the handling on this model. Older Echo turbos didn't exactly have much besides straightline punch and understeer (that rear suspension certainly didn't help much in this regard)...

Having known of the availability of 1.5 turbos (in our section of the market) for some time, I'd be more excited if Toyota were to upgrade the suspension... they have a potential Fit-killer there if they do, and just another ridiculously fast little straight-eater (Colt?) on their hands if they don't.

Anyone want a Type-R swapped Fit? They sound lovely... :lol:
 
A massive improvement on the regular Yaris, but that's not saying much. It looks like they've reduced the way-too-tall look, if only from the outside. I wouldn't be surprised if the seating position is still very minivan-like. On paper specs alone, the car should be good to drive. Toyota's recent history suggests otherwise, though. A first-hand drive is the only way to know for sure.

In any event, this is a proper step up for Toyota. 👍
 
150bhp is well down on what rival Clios and Minis are pumping out.

Must try harder
 
JohnBM01
How much you want to bet this thing ends up being a tuner favorite? I would probably do without the side vents on the front bumper, but the rest of it is sweetness. This isn't going to be the new favorite Toyota (unless they give it RWD to either this car or the Camry or especially the Corolla), but this is probably going to be one of the best offerings if it comes stateside. Who says fun is only for big cars with serious power? This little baby can go!

And now for another difference of opinion. I personally like the hatchhack a bit more than the sedan, even if it is "cutesy." The Yaris sedan looks 250,000 times better than its predecesor- the Echo. I hated the Echo. This Yaris sedan is a welcome replacement. In terms of regular cars, I think the European style of cars has been among some of my favorites. This Yaris actually looks VERY nice to me. Remember the Echo before thinking about this Yaris sedan. Hell, we didn't get the Echo hatchback when that ugly thing was around in the States. I haven't seen too many of the sedans on the road. I do think it's a very nice car, however. It's not meant to be a tire-shredder, an all-attitude car, or anything like that. Toyota could if they wanted to. But since we have this model, it does pretty well at being a stylish and affordable automobile most non-ego folks would like.

Out of 100%, I give this turbo Yaris hatchback an approval of 95%. I give the Yaris sedan 90% approval. Good job, Toyota. You have a fan here. Maybe I can get up close to them at this year's Houston Auto Show this weekend and next.
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+rep.
Love the post. 👍

I find more and more that Ego plays a big part in what people consider to be a good car. Some cars get by on name plate alone and others get by on nothing but the skill of the driver at the wheel.

It's going to be an interesting day when Toyota begins to cater to the hype-market instead of the capitalist-market but until then I'll be happy driving my little Corolla (even if everyone tells me it's slow and handles poorly). :indiff:

:lol:
No really though, I think you're right about this being a great offering. With the list of upgraded parts I wouldn't be suprised to see this thing getting tuned up anywhere outside of Honda town.

That said, I agree that this isn't going to be The favorite from Toyota... I see that coming in the form of a next gen Corolla XRS replacement. :sly:
 
Kent
It's going to be an interesting day when Toyota begins to cater to the hype-market instead of the capitalist-market but until then I'll be happy driving my little Corolla (even if everyone tells me it's slow and handles poorly). :indiff:
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You mean like Scion and the IS500? :odd:
 

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