PARIS — The new Toyota Yaris is sporting around on test, ahead of a launch scheduled for early 2006. Toyota will unveil the new car at September's Frankfurt motor show.
The outgoing model (a sedan version is sold in the U.S. as the Echo) has been a massive success in Europe's super-competitive supermini sector, and the replacement has a side profile that is instantly recognizable as a Yaris. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The most obvious change is the adoption of the Toyota family grille, and the headlight arrangement of the Corolla and Avensis. The new Yaris, which will be built at Toyota's French Valenciennes plant, will carry over the 1.0- and 1.3-liter gasoline engines from the current car, as well as small diesel engines sourced from Toyota's new plant in Poland.
What this means to you: It's a shame Toyota believes America won't warm up to European-style small hatchbacks, but meanwhile sells the ungainly Echo sedan instead. Maybe the success of the BMW Mini will change Toyota's mind?
The outgoing model (a sedan version is sold in the U.S. as the Echo) has been a massive success in Europe's super-competitive supermini sector, and the replacement has a side profile that is instantly recognizable as a Yaris. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The most obvious change is the adoption of the Toyota family grille, and the headlight arrangement of the Corolla and Avensis. The new Yaris, which will be built at Toyota's French Valenciennes plant, will carry over the 1.0- and 1.3-liter gasoline engines from the current car, as well as small diesel engines sourced from Toyota's new plant in Poland.
What this means to you: It's a shame Toyota believes America won't warm up to European-style small hatchbacks, but meanwhile sells the ungainly Echo sedan instead. Maybe the success of the BMW Mini will change Toyota's mind?
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