High Resolution Pictures from one of the "Heart Up Vitz!" Launch events

[CTScott]

[Kal-El]

Great pics! Nice to see it in live context. BTW, lovin' the new gauges!

[big lo]

Nice pics bro

[CTScott]

The more pics I see, the more the 12 is growing on me. I would take the green 4WD one in a heartbeat.

[Kal-El]

I can't believe Japan gets a 4WD option. Remarkable.

[ECHOKnight2000]

Nice looking!! The car too

I'd take the green too, its my fav color.

[wooverstone8]

I wonder if we'll get the paddle-shifter option.

[BluYrs]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I can't believe Japan gets a 4WD option. Remarkable.

They get a 4WD version of the current one as well...

Originally Posted by wooverstone8

I wonder if we'll get the paddle-shifter option.

The paddle-shifter comes with the MultiMode-gearbox. This is an option for the rest of the world, when they want an automatic on their Yarii. It is generally considered a "poor man's" alternative to a "real" automatic. The MM is essentially an electrically-operated manual transmission using electric motors and an electronically-operated clutch to provide either automatic or sequential gear changes.

I had the chance of driving an MM-equipped Auris the other day and it was a weird experience. For relaxed driving, it's comfortable, but the gearchanges and reaction of the gearbox take too much time for any spirited driving, even when opting for changing the gears "manually" (via the paddles or by moving the gearstick forwards-backwards). The paddles thus seem highly inappropriate as they give the air of driver-oriented driving dynamics, which simply is not there.

[why?]

love that green color.

[Vioz]

I'm sold!!! Can't wait until its over here in the states, and nice that the dash is in the normal spot, 12 looks more like its part of the scion family truthfully.

[Shinare]

I heart booth-babes. And I too would take that green one in a heartbeat.

(with the cool looking touch screen radio over the old crappy looking one )

[devinlamothe]

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the interior redesign? I can't for the life of me understand why they got rid of the center console speedometer. That was one of my favourite features and to see it go, well ... let's just say I would not be getting one of these anytime soon. :P

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the interior redesign? I can't for the life of me understand why they got rid of the center console speedometer. That was one of my favourite features and to see it go, well ... let's just say I would not be getting one of these anytime soon. :P

The center cluster has been one of the Yaris' worst marketing challenges, but I personally find not having to look over or under the steering wheel to be a huge plus. Losing the center cluster isn't a show stopper for me, but it is a huge disappointment.

[nikonmad]

Originally Posted by CTScott

The center cluster has been one of the Yaris' worst marketing challenges, but I personally find not having to look over or under the steering wheel to be a huge plus. Losing the center cluster isn't a show stopper for me, but it is a huge disappointment.

I think the center cluster was one of the best ever features,that item alone set the yaris apart from the rest (the boring).
It increased view of the road ahead most importantly but in the 2nd gen this arrangement makes the Yaris seem like a much bigger car inside.
Good enough for me @ 6ft 1ins.
Lots of useful storage spaces too.

My 1kr-fe 3 cyl engine chuggs me around the city traffic here in the UK and always returns around 50 miles per UK gallon/1.2 US gallon which is important as here in Great Britain, current price for 1 UK Gallon(1.2 us gallon) is £6.00 pounds sterling or $9.50 USD. ...yes you read it right first time $9.50 !


The new gen 3 arrangement looks a bit too "normal" for me.
An opportunity missed maybe for the powers that be @ Toyota.

We shall see.
Unaware as to the european launch of the 3rd gen, but when it comes here I dont see me swapping in a hurry.

Thanks to CTScott for the heads up and those great pictures

Wonder if you have any with the hood up ?
Any new engines maybe ?

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the interior redesign? I can't for the life of me understand why they got rid of the center console speedometer. That was one of my favourite features and to see it go, well ... let's just say I would not be getting one of these anytime soon. :P

If the current generation Yaris had conventional gauges, Toyota would have likely sold over 50% more Yaris's than they have bringing it in line with Versa sales. The Yaris is clearly the better car yet the Versa has sold far more.

Other forums and review sites I read discussing the Yaris always discredit the Yaris for its center gauges. Most buyers in the segment say the gauges was the immediate deal breaker.

That said, I also like the center gauges and really have no personal preference. In fairness, most owners like them after a short time after buying. It's what you get used to.

Toyota made the absolute right choice in making the gauges conventional. Now it won't be the only reason people skip the Yaris for consideration.

[3dr5speedblk]

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the interior redesign? I can't for the life of me understand why they got rid of the center console speedometer. That was one of my favourite features and to see it go, well ... let's just say I would not be getting one of these anytime soon. :P

I'm with you, Leave it in the center with the new gauges!!
Looks like a matrix? More premium features more $$$.

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I wouldn't throw the Mazda 2 in there. The 2012 Yaris looks far far better. The Mazda 2 is even uglier than the Nissan Versa, IMO. It is already a sales failure (I have yet to see one on the road and its been out nearly a year!).

The biggest new threats to the Yaris is the '12 Accent, '12 Sonic, as well as an upcoming all new Versa which we have yet to see - it's also due to be redesigned for 2012. The Fit and Fiesta are still going strong.

I wouldn't say the Mazda2 has been out nearly a year. Maybe 5 months or so. But yeah I haven't seen one on the road yet either. I like it cause its designed like most Mazda's to be fun and engaging. Sure its down on power compared to its rivals but its that fun tossable light weight car. Miata in hatch back form, in principle.

Originally Posted by stuffy

i've seen a few mazda 2's on the road and i think it's a far, far better looking car than this new yaris...of course have yet to see the yaris in person but i can't see that changing anything for me.

toyota really had to knock on out of the park to stay in the subcompact game (the category they used to own)...this is going to be an utter failure judging by the looks, it's going to have to be amazing on gas and have great road manners for it to even have a chance against a really competitive segment

I like the Mazda as well even if its just as dated as the current Yaris. Or about.
Toyota not only needs to be competitive with mpg but also features and interior. Which it seems as late they are behind.

Originally Posted by roxy1

toyota will sell plenty of these IF the mileage numbers are good enough.

the mazda 2, at 33 mpg, was a big disappointment. 40 mpg should now be the minimum for a car of this size. if the new yaris isnt there, i will not buy one.

The Mazda is more geared towards "performance" rather economy. Its like performance with economy on the side. Think of its bigger brother the 3. In principle.

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Especially when its platform cousin, the Fiesta, gets 40mpg and is bigger and more powerful. The Mazda 2 is now the smallest car outside of the Smart and iQ. It should have been an mpg leader.

They share the same platform, abiet modified, but I think that's where it ends. The rest is Mazda exclusive. So the engine, transmission etc. Like I mentioned above, gearing is a big reason the mpg is not where you would think it would be. Its decent mpg but if you put fun driving above that, the the 2 is right for you.

[Chuck G]

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the interior redesign? I can't for the life of me understand why they got rid of the center console speedometer. That was one of my favourite features and to see it go, well ... let's just say I would not be getting one of these anytime soon. :P

I'm with you!
I've really become a big fan of the center mounted speedo.