SportsCar magazine 2012 first drive...

[Jason@SportsCar]

...Is going on now. Have the car till Monday... More to report later.

[ROCKLANDTOYOTA]

LUCKY YOU!!! isn't this the first official photos besides the laffalopolooza ones???

[fnkngrv]

hope it does better than it looks...seeing one "real" like that makes me dislike the thing even more unfortunately.

[yaris2010RS]

thats a better picture, i like it more

y would they give u a base model to test?

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by yaris2010RS

thats a better picture, i like it more

y would they give u a base model to test?

I wanted a manual trans. From what I was told of the six cars in the USA this is the only manual.

[Chuck G]

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

hope it does better than it looks...seeing one "real" like that makes me dislike the thing even more unfortunately.

I agree 100%
I really want to like it?

[SilverBack]

Aesthetically-wise I saw nothing wrong with the current gen. where it had to be updated, but as for functionality I'd like to know how it's better. That's all I wanna know. Thoughts?

[landrym28]

I don't mind the looks of the current gen of hatchback from the outside. If anything, I would have been happy with Toyota redesigning the interior.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by ROCKLANDTOYOTA

LUCKY YOU!!! isn't this the first official photos besides the laffalopolooza ones???

Not sure exactly what you mean, but there's been official photos since last year.

Originally Posted by yaris2010RS

thats a better picture, i like it more

y would they give u a base model to test?

I would say it's better to test a model the way that most buyers will have it configured. In the case of the Yaris, that's usually just a base model with the convenience package or maybe the power package. No alloys, ect...

Originally Posted by SilverBack

Aesthetically-wise I saw nothing wrong with the current gen. where it had to be updated, but as for functionality I'd like to know how it's better. That's all I wanna know. Thoughts?

Unfortunately, the same engine and dated 4-speed auto carries over. They're bullet proof, which is nice, but competitors have leap frogged the specs with 6-speeds, direct injection, much more power, and 40 mpg ratings. That leaves Toyota with just a reliability advantage.

Originally Posted by landrym28

I don't mind the looks of the current gen of hatchback from the outside. If anything, I would have been happy with Toyota redesigning the interior.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

Well, the outgoing Yaris is 5 years old, so whether it still looks good to people or not is irrelevant in the auto world. The clock says time for a redesign.

[Yaristeve]

What am I missing?

The photo looks like the current gen Yaris from the windshield back melded to a longer front end. Is it some photoshop picture? Or is the car in the picture the actual 2012?

Or, is this the first picture of the 3-door? If so, it isn't bad since I didn't like the C-pillars in the earlier 5-door spy photos...

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Not sure exactly what you mean, but there's been official photos since last year.

First 'real world' photos I believe would be a better statement than 'first official'.

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

Or, is this the first picture of the 3-door? If so, it isn't bad since I didn't like the C-pillars in the earlier 5-door spy photos...

This is the actual 2012 3dr. It does look better than the 5dr thanks to the sweeping C-pillars being retained. The front end styling is a bit wonky imo. Not as smoothly flowing as 06-11, with more angularity and creases being incorporated into the new look.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

This is the actual 2012 3dr. It does look better than the 5dr thanks to the sweeping C-pillars being retained. The front end styling is a bit wonky imo. Not as smoothly flowing as 06-11, with more angularity and creases being incorporated into the new look.

This is good to hear (just in case I need to buy a replacement) but I am disappointed (but not to the point of it being a deal-killer) of the interior. They got rid of all the things that made the interior fun (especially the cup holders) and made it more conforming...

[cali yaris]

We have mixed feelings at MI. I don't like the new look, I think they took away all the fun uniqueness of the previous gen. Jeff likes it a lot. We might take on a 2012 as a project car, but I'm going to need some convincing.

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

What am I missing?

The photo looks like the current gen Yaris from the windshield back melded to a longer front end. Is it some photoshop picture? Or is the car in the picture the actual 2012?

Or, is this the first picture of the 3-door? If so, it isn't bad since I didn't like the C-pillars in the earlier 5-door spy photos...

The car in the pic is a 2012 3-door L. No photoshop, just a pic from a camera phone. The sheet metal is different from the previous gen, its subtle, but different.

For you @ss men.

[WeeYari]

those creases
those tail lights
that chrome

like the itty-bitty shark fin

[KCALB SIRAY]

That ass screams "Versa" and "Sentra" with that shape and chrome

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

We have mixed feelings at MI. I don't like the new look, I think they took away all the fun uniqueness of the previous gen. Jeff likes it a lot. We might take on a 2012 as a project car, but I'm going to need some convincing.

Admittedly I have spent very little time driving a stock version of the previous car (particularly one with any interior), but this addresses nearly every one of the complaints I had about the old interior.

I find the seating position much improved, I still feel like I am sitting a little high, but it no longer feels like a chair. The base seats are surprisingly comfortable and supportive. The gauge layout crushes the old setup, I hate the center-pod setup, everything is easy to reach and see. I also like the finish they used on the plastic, its hard to describe, but its different than what you see in most budget minded cars (this assumes the finish in this pre-prod car is the same as what hits the streets).

The exterior is going to be a love it or hate it thing, which seems to be the case with most cars these days. Every manufacturer seems to either go nuts with strait lines and square edges (thanks Cadillac for starting the "art and science" design phase so many years ago ), or they just just go ho hum and blend in. I think the previous generation blended, this one is more edgy. Only the buyer can decided if its "better" - me, I would like the new interior put in the current sedan (not a hatch fan).

I can understand not spending any more to further develop the power-train at this point... The current setup is proven, and you save millions by not working on it, plus if you improve fuel economy too much you could cut into your hybrid sales. Who would spend $5-10k more on a Prius if the Yaris got the same mileage? Its not unheard of for manufacturers to roll out a new car with an old power plant, then update the engine a few years into the cycle, it lets them extend the life of the platform, while giving the appearance it is still fresh.

I think you should get one and build a B-Spec car. I hear there are big things on the way for the class - maybe even a pro series.

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

like the itty-bitty shark fin

It's not really a shark fin... For some reason the 6" whip ant was in the glove box.