The Toyota Yaris range has been updated in Thailand.
The eco car, and Toyota’s entry level model in the kingdom, now complies with
Phase 2 eco car regulations, which require improved fuel economy and lower
emissions than the original batch of eco cars.
The main news is under the hood, which has a revised
3NR-FKE four-cylinder engine. Like the previous 3NR-FE, it’s a 1.2 litre unit,
but the Dual VVT-i has been upgraded to Dual VVT-iE, and the compression ratio
is now 13.5:1, up from 11.5:1. It’s mainly for efficiency (auto start stop is now standard as well),
but output figures are up slightly – from 86 hp/108 Nm to 92 hp/109 Nm. The E20
gasohol compliant engine is paired to a Super CVT-i auto transmission.
The Yaris variants have been streamlined too, from
the previous five (J Eco, J, E, G, G+) to just Entry, Mid and High. The base
Entry is equivalent to the previous J Eco, the Mid is E and High is G+. There
are additional equipment and things such as a new 6.7 inch touchscreen and
front/rear video recorder make their debut. Prices are from 539,000 baht for the Entry (unchanged) to 649,000 baht for the range
topper, which is 10,000 baht costlier than before.
Safety wise, it’s ABS/EBD/BA, VSC, Hill Start Assist
and seven airbags (front, side, curtain, driver’s knee) as standard across the
board. Looks wise, the ASEAN Yaris is unchanged, but there’s a new Yaris
Cross optional pack that brings SUV-inspired looks to the five-door B-segment
hatchback. It’s pretty much like our Perodua Axia Style, but the Yaris Cross
isn’t a standalone variant, but a pack of accessories that you can add on to
the regular car.
The package, which is now being offered at a
promotional price of 35,000 baht, consists of front and rear black
bumper skirting, which of course have silver “skid plates” in them to emphasise
“SUV”. Also in black are the matching side skirts, wheel arch cladding and the
roof. The wheels are 16-inch two-tone items, and they are indeed further away
from the body when compared to the standard Yaris. The
Yaris Cross sits on a unique spring and short absorber suspension set, which
gives it an obvious 30 mm lift. There are no roof rails, but there’s a ‘Cross’
logo for the tailgate.
