Toyota Unveils Its New Sporting Heroes At Geneva

Show debut for Yaris, Aygo and RAV4 concepts

KEY POINTS

• Toyota presents three new sports-themed show cars at Geneva
• Yaris T Sport concept with new 1.8-litre engine
• Aygo for Sports open-top two-seater
• RAV4 Sports with performance-tuned D-4D 180 engine

Sports-themed concepts of three of the newest models in the Toyota range are making their world debut under the spotlights at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The wraps are coming off special versions of Aygo, Yaris and the RAV4 to reveal eye-popping styling, performance tweaks and a bold approach to putting the fun back into driving.

Aygo for Sports and the RAV4 Sports, based on the production T180 model, are both displayed as one-off show cars, demonstrating the inspired design and engineering talent at work within Toyota.

The Yaris T Sport, although a concept prepared for the Geneva show, paves the way for a sporting version of the all-new model that will be launched in 2007.

YARIS T SPORT CONCEPT

• Concept leading the way for production Yaris sports model in 2007
• New 1.8-litre petrol engine
• Extensive sports body styling features
• 17-inch alloy wheels

The Yaris T Sport is a design exercise that points towards a production sporting Yaris that is scheduled to arrive in showrooms during 2007, powered by a new 1.8-litre petrol engine.

The key reference point for Toyota’s development team was to create a refined sports hatch, compact in size with fun-to-drive qualities to appeal to younger buyers, but also with high equipment levels and comfort appropriate for both day-to-day driving and longer trips.

The sports styling is bold, with a black mesh grille at the front that adds emphasis to the deep bumper with integrated fog lights. There is a redesigned bumper at the rear, too, plus deep side skirts and a tail spoiler.

The T Sport is fitted with 17-inch wheels for sharper ride and handling, while new-look tail lights, a chromed exhaust pipe and a T Sport badge on the front grille add the finishing sports touches. The concept car is finished in a dedicated body colour, Storm Grey.

AYGO FOR SPORTS

• Open-top Aygo for Sports designed for fun and freedom
• Two-seater with twin arched rails, but no roof
• Radical use of interior trim materials, including teak and Neoprene
• 17-inch wheels and LED light clusters

Aygo has brought a welcome breath of fresh air to the city car market. Now the wild Aygo for Sports concept version, created specially for Geneva, shows how those on board can enjoy a blast of healthy ozone and blaze a trail to the beach.

Off comes the roof and out come the rear seats to create an open-top machine that’s focused on fun. In place of the roof, Aygo for Sports has a pair of elegant but strong side hoops that curve over the car like a twin tribute to the new Wembley Arch. Massive 17-inch rims shod with 205/45 R17 tyres and LED light clusters add to the look-at-me styling, together with a special bright Ocean Blue paint finish.

Inside, the sculpted seats are finished in light blue Neoprene with beige leather inserts, with matching Neoprene detailing on the steering wheel. And to emphasise this Aygo’s beach party credentials, the floor is covered in teak in the best tradition of classic speedboats.

RAV4 SPORTS

• High-performance sports conversion
• Based on flagship RAV4 T180 with D-4D 180 engine tuned to deliver 201bhp (204 DIN hp) and 450Nm of torque
• Aerodynamic body kit
• Lowered suspension and larger brakes

There is no mistaking the intention of the RAV4 Sports concept, with a beefed-up exterior that includes new bumpers, grille and integrated front fog lights. At the front there is large intake set in above the front protection plate, with a matching plate at the back housing the neatly faired-in exhaust.

To the side there are deep side skirts for enhanced aerodynamic performance and the 21-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches to the limit, fitted with 255/35 R21 tyres front and rear.

The 175bhp (177 DIN hp) 2.2-litre D-4D 180 common rail diesel engine, which in standard form is already the most powerful engine in its class, is specially tuned for the RAV4 Sports to deliver 201bhp (204 DIN hp) and 450 Nm of torque.

To meet the demands of the uprated engine, air cooling capacity is increased with a larger front grille and additional air intakes in the bonnet. Braking performance is also greater, with perforated discs with six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston callipers at the rear. The suspension is stiffer and lower compared to the regular T180, with reinforced shock absorbers to ensure the Sports can take the rough as well as the smooth.

Dark tinted glass ensures privacy for those on board, while the Liquid Metal exterior colour has been created exclusively for the model.

ENDS

Note to editors: details of these and other Toyota presentations at the Geneva Motor Show can be found at Toyota’s media website.