2012 Toyota Vitz [Yaris] Officially Revealed With Gauges Where They Should Be
Toyota has officially taken the wraps off its new Japanese Vitz model, sold here as the Yaris. That might not at first be obvious, as the sub-compact has received quite the makeover, with an edgier design. It might not get your heart racing, but it won’t send you into a coma where you’ll dream about jellybeans (like the last car did) either.
Perhaps most notable, however, is the interior, which no longer features the ergonomically nightmarish centrally located gauges. (Hooray!)
The new model will be available in Japan with a range of small 4-cylinder engines. The largest is a 1.5-liter which is expected to be offered here, although it is possible that Toyota could deliver a Yaris with the new 1.3-liter 4-cylinder that will arrive in the upcoming Scion iQ.
There’s no indication from Toyota on when it will show the new Vitz/Yaris in North America, but it should go on sale late next year.
GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Vitz/Yaris
Official release after the jump:
TMC Launches Redesigned ‘Vitz’
Models with Idling-stop Boast Fuel Efficiency of 26.5 km/L
Toyota City, Japan, December 22, 2010-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned “Vitz” compact car.
Since the launch of the first-generation in 1999, the Vitz has achieved cumulative sales in more than 70 countries and regions around the world-including many European countries-exceeding 3.5 million units*1. With more than 1.4 million of those units*2 having been sold in Japan, the Vitz is truly a core model of the Toyota brand.
The new, third-generation Vitz, developed based on a new definition of the ideal compact car to meet consumers’ diversifying compact-car needs, features sharper styling as well as a compact exterior but roomy, refined interior; abundant utility; and outstanding fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/L-made possible by the Toyota Stop & Start idling-stop system-in the 10-15 test cycle of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The result is a distinctive compact car that achieves performance equivalent to a vehicle one class higher in terms of quality, comfort, ease of use and affordability.
With four grades that emphasize unique individuality, 17 body colors and four interior colors available, the Vitz is a highly appealing next-generation compact that enhances the enjoyment of choosing the perfect car and the pride of ownership.
Monthly sales target for Japan: 10,000 units
Assembly Plant: Nagakusa Plant, Toyota Industries Corporation
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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I have a 2008 Yaris that I leased brand new from a dealer in Kelowna, B.C. I love it!! I also love, love, love the centrally located gauges as I am very short and in most cars the stupid steering wheel always covered half of the gauges and I was always bobbing and weaving to see them. With the gauges centrally located one glance and I know if I am speeding or if any lights are on that shouldn't be, etc. I wish Toyota wouldn't have changed this feature. I am due for a new car in 2012 and am not looking forward to the gauges moving back in front of the driver.