New Toyota Vitz / Yaris officially launched

Following a series of leaked and teaser images, the new Toyota Vitz / Yaris has been officially launched today. The Vitz is a core model for Toyota and since the launch of the first-gen model back in 1999, more than 3.5 million units have been sold worldwide (more than 1.4 million have been sold in Japan alone).

The third-gen Vitz has a different design approach compared to the past two generations with a sharper styling. Special attention has been paid in aerodynamics and thus, the new Vitz has a coefficient drag value of 0.285 resulting in high fuel efficiency and stable high-speed cruising.

Overall length is 3,885 mm, enabling a turning radius of 4.5 m, and of course Toyota claims that has improved comfort and space inside, with the interior length extended by 35 mm to 1,915 mm.

As reported before, the new model achieves a fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/L, equipped with the 1.3 L engine and Toyota's Stop & Start idling-stop system, in the 10-15 test cycle of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The specific engine coupled to the Super CVT-i gearbox achieves a fuel efficiency of 24.0 km/L.

The new Vitz will be available in four grades (F, U, Jewela and RS), 17 body colors and 4 interior colors available. The monthly sales target for Japan is 10,000 units.

In terms of engine specs, the 1.0 L engine with three cylinders (1KR-FE) produces 69 PS and 92 Nm of torque at 3,600 r.p.m, while the 1.3 L engine (1NR-FE) has a maximum power of 95 PS and a torque of 121 Nm at 4,000 r.p.m. The 1.5 L engine (1NZ-FE), available in grades U and RS, has a power output of 109 PS and 138 Nm of torque at 4,400 r.p.m.

Prices start from 1,060,000 ¥ for the F grade with the 1.0 L engine, and the top RS version coming with the 1.5 L engine costs 1,720,000 ¥ (1,790,000 ¥ with the Super CVT-i gearbox).