Toyota unveils totally redesigned 2012 Yaris

Toyota has taken the wraps off its brand new, third generation Yaris with a completely new exterior and a multimedia touchscreen standard on most models.  Gone are the center-mounted instruments from the previous generation in favor of a new driver-oriented layout. The compact is available with two petrol engines and a diesel. The new Yaris aims to be an economy car with style. 

The Yaris wears Toyota's new corporate nose that blends verticality at the edges of the front bumper with a protruding nose. The exterior grows just 1cm in length, width remains the same but the new car is lowered 20mm, which will lower the center of gravity and improve handling. It also has a more chiseled rear than the previous Yaris. 

On the interior there have been major changes. The instrument panel is now mounted above the steering wheel to make the car more drive-oriented. Toyota has worked to improve perceived interior quality with better materials around the steering wheel, switchgear and doors. 

The new Yaris will be available in four trim levels: Entry, Active, Style and Lounge. From the Active level and above, the car comes standard with a touchscreen multimedia center. Dubbed Toyota Touch, it includes a 6.1 inch touchscreen that incorporates the car's radio, CD/MP3 player and Bluetooth connection. There is also a USB port to allow the connection of MP3 players like the Ipod. The screen also displays fuel range, fuel consumption and the rear-view camera. As a further option, buyers can upgrade to Toyota Touch and Go that adds navigation and available apps, including Facebook. 

Despite its small size, the interior has also been made more roomy. Wheelbase width has been improved 50mm and interior width is 30mm better. Rear passenger room is now class-leading because it has been increased 35mm. Even load area is now class-leading and has had its depth increased by 145mm.

Engine options remain exactly the same as the old Yaris with a 1.0l three-cylinder and 1.3l four-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.4l four-cylinder diesel, but there have been some tweaks. Fuel consumption for the 1 liter has been improved by 4% to 4.8l/100km, and it has been lowered by 7% in the 1.4 liter diesel to  3.9l/100km. Start/stop technology is also optional on both of the petrol engines. 

The biggest news for the new Yaris' power is the new, optional CVT transmission available only with the 1.3 liter engine. When equipped with the new transmission, the fuel consumption improves from 5.4l/100km in the combined cycle to 5.1l/100km in the combined cycle. It can also be set to manual mode and shifted as a seven-speed, sequential gearbox with either the gear shift or paddle shifters. 

Toyota did not reveal the price for the third generation Yaris but did say that all European models will be made at its factory in France.