Toyota YARIS T SPORT
With The Updated Yaris T Sport,
Toyota Have A Tiny Sportster Thats Guaranteed To Put A Smile On Your Face. By Andy Enright
Everybodys at it. Forming sporting sub-brands, that is. At the top of the tree is BMWs M-Power division, with AMG (Mercedes), Type-R (
Honda), RS (
Ford), S (
Audi), STi (
Subaru) and Ralliart (
Mitsubishi) all offering hot versions of the basic fare. Toyota dont want to be left out of this party and have launched T Sport, a brand which kicked off with the 1.
5-litre Yaris T Sport.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
Whilst the Japanese company has a formidable motorsports pedigree, few would argue that the baby Yaris is the platform from which they would expect the T Sport brand to originate. Not that the Yaris is a dynamic duffer far from it. Its just that with mouth-watering models such as the MR2 in the range, the Yaris seems an odd choice from which to build an aspirational sports brand. Nevertheless, the Yaris T Sport appears to have what it takes to batter most of the Citycar competition into submission, although one cant help but note that the
Volkswagen Lupo GTi carries a bigger stick.
That racing heritage is what gives T Sport a big credibility boost, certainly in terms of engineering. Successful recent campaigns in World Rallying, American ChampCar and the classic Le Mans race have coincided with Toyotas entry into the high profile world of Formula One, making the time right for a high-profile sports variant. While the Yaris T Sport isnt about to set any lap records, its good to know that youre in a car built by people who demonstrably know how to build a quality high performance car.
"The T Sport will be as accomplished on a track day as it will be in the car park of your local Tesco."
With a 1.5-litre VVT-i engine developing some 106bhp, the Yaris will accelerate to 60mph in less than nine seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph. Granted, its not the quickest thing available, but when you consider the diminutive proportions of the Yaris, plus the fact that this level of performance would have been equal to the original Golf GTi, the recipe for fun starts to emerge. Couple this with 21st century suspension technology and a miserly fuel consumption claimed to be the best in class and youll appreciate that you neednt feel guilty about exploiting every last morsel of power from the sweet revving variable valve equipped engine.
Toyota claim that the Yaris T Sport excels in mid-range acceleration, indeed that its 60 to 100kmh time in fourth gear (8.4 seconds) is quicker than any comparable car. Notwithstanding this claim, the Yaris aims to impress buyers with its combination of value for money and aggressive styling. In this department there can certainly be few grouses.
With a purposeful stance due to a 20mm lowering of the suspension, the T Sport avoids the jacked up perch of the basic Yaris an impression reinforced by the fifteen-inch wheels and low profile tyres that fill the wheelarches. The styling job includes a revised front end, with teardrop headlamps and a deep bumper incorporating fog lamps and a revised grille. Side skirts are included as is T Sport badging. Interior materials quality has been beefed up but prices have remained much as before, the three-door being priced at £12,345 and the relatively new five-door car pitched at £12,845.
60mph is 8.8 seconds away, yet the T Sport will still return 41.5mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 162g/km of carbon dioxide. Inside, the sleeker fascia looks a little more contemporary and trim colours and materials have been revised.
Many of the minor controls have been improved; the mirror controls are a case in point. The Yaris set new standards for supermini safety when it was first launched and the current car aims to augment that reputation. The body structure has been enhanced to offer extra crashworthiness and passenger and side airbags are standard on the T Sport. All three rear seats now feature proper three-point
seat belts and the T Sport features anti lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution.
Otherwise, the Yaris recipe is as with other variants. Here, on paper at least, is a car that achieves the best of both worlds. With a bodyshell 130mm shorter than a typical Fiesta-type Supermini, the T Sport is hardly any larger than a tiny city runabout. Yet inside, Toyota have created a packaging revelation.
Thanks to a sliding rear bench seat, theres more head and legroom front and rear than in any Supermini rival. Its almost like being in a
Ford Focus or
Vauxhall Astra-sized family hatchback. Life with the little Toyota should continue to echo this contradictory mix of virtues. The T Sport will be as accomplished on a track day as it will be in the car park of your local Tesco.
A sloping bonnet line and bulbous headlights give the T Sport an appealing face, certainly not the menacing look that many enthusiasts would hanker after, but its not displeasing. This Yaris certainly tries to put driver fun at the top of the agenda. It certainly promises to shake up the sporty Citycar category, and given the comparative disappointment the T Sport Celica proved, its the leading light in Toyotas T Sport portfolio.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota Yaris T Sport
PRICE: £12,345 - £12,845- on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.8 seconds / Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 41.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height(mm) 3630/1660/1485
<< Back to Toyota car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Toyota Cars For Sale UK
