No model in the new 2009 Toyota Yaris range emits more than 120g/km of carbon dioxide, thanks to the successful adoption of Toyota Optimal Drive across the entire range. At the same time, Yaris is every bit as well-specified, comfortable, reliable and safe as before.
Applying Toyota Optimal Drive technologies gives the engine superior emissions and fuel consumption performance compared to the previous 1.3-litre unit, reducing CO2 output by 22g/km and improving combined cycle mpg from 47.1 to 55.4 (both figures for manual transmission with Stop & Start). The engine is also smaller and lighter, but produces greater torque.
A new Stop & Start system is featured as standard on the 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine with six-speed manual transmission. This automatically stops the engine when the gear shift is moved to neutral and the clutch pedal is released; the engine restarts as soon as the clutch is depressed again. Immediate restarting is made possible by a permanently engaged gear mechanism and there is no hesitation in a rapid stop and start sequence – the engine does not have to stop fully before firing into life again. The system reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and operates smoothly and silently.
In performance terms, the Yaris 1.33 delivers 35 per cent more power than the Renault Clio 1.2 and about 25 per cent more than the 1.2 engines in Ford’s new Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa and the 1.4 unit in the Volkswagen Polo. At the same time, official combined cycle fuel consumption is 12 per cent lower than the next-best rival, the new Fiesta 1.25.
Within the B-segment the Yaris 1.33 Dual VVT-i is also the only model in its class to fall within band B for Vehicle Excise Duty, giving an annual road fund licence bill for 2008/9 of just £35.
In the longer term the cost benefits quickly accrue. Working on the basis of 12,000 miles drive a year, with fuel at an average 99.9p per litre, owners can save around £600 to £960 over a three-year period in fuel and road tax costs compared to leading competitor models, as the table illustrates.
Toyota’s three-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine has twice been a category winner in the sub-1.0-litre category of the International Engine of the Year Awards and enters 2009 with even better fuel consumption and emissions performance. Toyota engineers have worked on the unit to deliver further improvements. One of the lightest engines on the market today, it delivers class-leading specific power and torque, with 68bhp (69 DIN hp) at 6,000rpm and 93Nm at 3,600rpm. Official combined cycle fuel consumption is substantially improved, cut from 62.8 to 68.9mpg with manual transmission, 67.3 with the MultiMode (M/M) gearbox. Likewise emissions have been reduced, falling from 119 to a class-leading 109g/km (110g/km with M/M).
Toyota Aygo revised for 2009
In the Aygo range, two new models feature, the Aygo Blue and Aygo Black, with exclusive equipment specifications, plus the established Aygo and Aygo+, in three and five-door body styles. All are powered by the 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol unit, with five-speed manual or MultiMode transmission.
When the engine was first launched in Aygo in 2005, it produced 109g/km of carbon dioxide. By early 2008, this figure had been reduced to 108g/km and for the 2009 Aygo it has fallen even further, to 106g/km.
The engineering improvements that make this possible include a new cut-off system that saves fuel during gear changes and the adoption of low viscosity oil for less engine resistance.
The engine remains remarkably fuel-frugal, with consumption improved from 61.4 to 62.8mpg in combined cycle driving with five-speed manual transmission (the figure is unchanged for versions with the MultiMode gearbox at 61.4mpg).
In addition to the regular three and five-door Aygo and Aygo+, Toyota has introduced two new feature models for 2009. Aygo Blue puts the emphasis on comfort and convenience, with air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity provided as standard, plus an exclusive Cayman Blue metallic paint finish.
Aygo Black ups the style factor with 14-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara and leather upholstery and leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, together with a black metallic exterior. This specification is available exclusively with manual transmission; further Aygo Black models with air conditioning added to the specification are available with a choice of both manual and MultiMode transmission.
