News : 2007 Toyota Yaris - the little Euro's official arrival

[VitzBoy]

2007 Toyota Yaris - the little Euro's official arrival




Joel attend the North American debut of the Yaris, which was first launched in Europe in 1999. It was named the 2000 European “Car of the Year” and has gone on to become Toyota’s bestseller in the European market. This Euro born-and-bred economy car will replace the Echo in the U.S., which means none of us can whine any longer about never getting any good imports from automakers’ European brands.

Styled in Europe, the Yaris comes as either a sedan or liftback, the latter in either a base configuration or as the “sport-themed” Yaris S that includes side rocker panels, front and rear bumper spoilers, and 15-inch steel wheels that are also available in aluminum.

The Yaris will be sold with only one engine, a 1.5L four-cylinder with VVT-I that produces 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. The engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. EPA estimates put the Yaris Liftback at 34 city/40 highway (manual) and 34 city/39 highway (automatic).

It’s clear that Toyota intends to keep the price down here, as many safety features are available only as option including ABS, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags.