Yaris T Sport – First Of A New Performance Brand From Toyota

KEY POINTS

• First model in new Toyota T Sport range for the UK
• Link to sporting heritage and future Toyota F1 involvement
• T Sport adds further boost to younger image of Yaris model
• Small but powerful – like all Yaris models
• Unique new 1.5-litre VVT-i 105bhp engine offering power with economy
• Close ratio five speed gearbox for optimum performance and driving fun
• Special body stiffening to improve torsional rigidity and steering response
• Unique 15-inch six spoke alloy wheels
• Sports suspension with lower ride height and lower profile tyres
• ABS fitted as standard with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
• Rear disc brakes fitted as standard
• Special front and rear bumpers with mesh grille and integral fog lamps
• Red T Sport and Toyota badging on front and rear
• Special front headlamp housings and smoked rear light clusters
• Unique T Sport interior with sports seats and aluminium effect trim
• Unique T Sport analogue instruments
• Front side airbags fitted as standard
• Remote control alarm system with double locking fitted as standard
• Available in five colours including Thunder Grey (unique to T Sport)
• Sports appeal but still insurance friendly group of 7E/8E (TBC)
• Maximum speed 118mph, 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds
• Low combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg
• CO2 figure of 164g/km
• Priced at £11,995 on the road including three year/60,000 mile warranty
• Available in the UK from 2 April 2001

NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE YARIS T SPORT MODEL

On 2 April 2001, Toyota is launching a special high performance version of the Yaris in the UK – the T Sport. This exciting new model adds sports performance to the many enjoyable characteristics of the European Car Of The Year 2000 Yaris range. It features a powerful 1.5-litre VVT-i engine, dynamic new looks, lowered suspension and unique sports-style interior.

Yaris T Sport is more than a hot Yaris, it is also the launch model for the T Sport brand in the UK. T Sport reflects Toyota’s successful motorsport heritage and ambitions for the future in F1. Yaris T Sport offers higher performance levels with excellent economy, sports handling and suspension characteristics, and increased driver involvement without compromising comfort or practicality that the Yaris is famous for. Dynamic new body styling completes the Yaris T Sport package.

Yaris T Sport offers class-leading performance and economy in its segment. It accelerates from 0-62mph in just 9.0 seconds and has a top speed, where permitted, of 118mph.

Dynamic New Look

The sports suspension of Yaris T Sport, lowered by 20mm, not only gives more sporty handling, it also creates a squatter-looking car – a look enhanced by the unique six spoke 15-inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres that now fill the wheel arches.

Full width, deep front and rear bumpers with integrated fog and reversing lamp, a mesh sports grille and side body skirts complete the overall dynamic image. The headlamp surround is black for extra emphasis and unique T Sport badging front and rear helps to identify the new brand.

The Yaris T Sport has a slightly longer rear overhang and as a result is 20mm longer than the standard Yaris. It is available in three-door bodystyle only.

Most Powerful Yaris Yet

The 1.5-litre, Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i) engine fitted to the Yaris T Sport is the most powerful yet in the Yaris range. It develops 105bhp at 6,000rpm and has a maximum torque of 145Nm at 4,200rpm.

The new engine complies with European Step 3 emissions legislation and thanks to Toyota’s advanced VVT-i technology, remains easy to drive and extremely economical. It will achieve 40.9mpg on the combined cycle – the best in its class – and has equally low CO2 emissions of 164g/km.

This class-leading performance translates directly into a more enjoyable driving experience. The Yaris T Sport is quicker to 60 miles per hour from rest than many 1.6-litre hot hatches and excels in mid-range acceleration – faster from 40-60mph (8.4 seconds) than any other comparable car in its class.

Performance Tuned Suspension

The Yaris T Sport suspension has been tuned to deliver the ride and handling performance that T Sport customers will expect, yet it retains the nimble feel of the standard Yaris and good ride comfort for everyday use. Suspension springs are stiffer and dampers are firmer, to cope with the extra tyre grip and produce less body roll. The lower ride height also adds to the feeling of stability.

Yaris T Sport is fitted with low profile 55 section 15-inch tyres that increase cornering ability, provide greater steering response and straight line stability.

Sports Style Interior

The interior trim of Yaris T Sport has also been modified to reflect the sporting style of the car without losing any of the original comfort or quality. New, analogue sports-style meters replace the digital instrumentation in the standard Yaris. The unique Reims Black seat trim, plus three-spoke leather sports steering wheel add to the high performance environment. The gearshift is two-tone metallic and black leather with a leather gaiter.

The Yaris T Sport is available in five body colours; Chilli Red, with the option of four metallic paint colours at £275; Flame Gold, Caribbean Blue, Eclipse Black and Thunder Grey metallic (unique to the Yaris T Sport and Celica 190).

Full Dealer Support

Yaris T Sport is supported by Toyota’s pan-European three-year, 60,000 mile warranty including breakdown assistance. It is also backed with a three-year surface paint and 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

T Sport customers will enjoy the same extended servicing intervals as other Yaris owners with a full service being required only every 20,000 miles and a health check every 10,000.

The T Sport Story and Future Plans

The Yaris T Sport is the first model in the new range that will be extended to other Toyota cars in the future. The T Sport brand will act as an umbrella for Toyota sports models and will become a powerful and recognisable symbol of Toyota’s intelligent technology applications.

T Sport adopts a sophisticated and integrated approach to sports performance. As a result, T Sport products remain practical and easy to drive, while offering increased (rather than absolute) sports performance. The T Sport range will appeal to younger customers and to existing Toyota buyers who appreciate advanced engineering and increased driver involvement, without sacrificing acceptable comfort levels or practicality.

Performance models in the T Sport range will offer genuine enhanced performance through intelligent engineering – they will not be ‘badge-engineered’ for the sake of creating a new image. Above all T Sport models will be affordable and accessible to Toyota customers.

YARIS T SPORT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENDS