Instead of putting on a new generation, they donated Toyota in spring 2017 the Yaris small car after a comprehensive model revision in 2014 a second facelift. In addition to a refreshed look, this gives the Japanese a new gasoline engine and a sports version in summer.
The body of the Yaris remains unchanged, but Toyota has modified the soft parts on the front and rear. The striking X of the front was retouched, the black clasp, which previously held the brand logo between the bonnet and the lower air opening, is no longer available. The Toyota-T is now at the top of the hood nose. The large air opening underneath has been given a new honeycomb grille, which is flanked by newly designed fog lights with chrome strips. Larger taillights with characteristic LED graphics are also noticeable at the rear.
The interior has also been modernized. There are new seat covers, new plastic surfaces in places - among other things in high-gloss black - as well as revised ventilation nozzles. The instrument cluster of the Yaris has also been redesigned. Instead of the three interlocking circular instruments, there will only be two in the future, which will be separated by a 4,2-inch color display. An important innovation concerns the safety equipment, which is expanded to include the Safety Sense assistance package. This means that in addition to the high-beam assistant and lane departure warning system, there will also be a collision avoidance on board. In the better equipment variants there is also a traffic sign recognition.
As a new drive, the Yaris has a 1,5-liter petrol engine that will replace the previous 1,33-liter four-cylinder. This increases the output by 13 HP to 82 kW / 111 HP, which should ensure better performance with less consumption. A high compression of 13,5: 1 and a valve control, which allows a change between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycle, are responsible for the increase in efficiency. For the unchanged 100 hp hybrid Yaris, Toyota promises better running culture.
In addition, Toyota will add a sporty version with 154 KW / 210 PS to the Yaris range. Together with the standard version, it will debut at the Geneva Motor Show (March 9 to 19, 2017). The revised small car model will launch in the summer on presumably the same terms as the current model. The starting price is currently 12.000 euros. (Mario Hommen / SP-X)