TOYOTA YARIS ATIV
Toyota Motor Thailand has given the Yaris Ativ a mechanical update so that its B-segment sedan can cope with rivals conforming to eco-car phase-two rules.
The 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder engine (3NR-FXE) appearing under the bonnet of the Yaris Ativ now has electrically operated dual variablevalve timing producing 92hp at 6,000rpm and 109Nm at 4,400rpm.
With the new addition of automatic stop/go, the Yaris Ativ is able to achieve 23.3kpl, no more than 100g/km of CO2 and Euro 5 emission standard. The transmission is as before: a CVT automatic with Sport mode.
Previously, the Yaris Ativ’s 3NR-FE motor made 86hp at 6,000rpm and 108Nm at 4,000rpm to cope with ecocar phase-one regs of 20kpl, 120g/km and Euro 4.
Prices have risen by 20,000-30,000 baht depending on the model: 619,000 baht for High, 599,000 baht for Mid and 549,000 baht for Entry. An extra-cheap version going for less than 500,000 baht (previously called J) isn’t available anymore.
The so-called GT Look is also new for the Yaris Ativ, which comprises visual add-ons like skirts and spoilers. While the overall kit is basically the same as ever, one new convenience item is an all-round-view monitor.
Unlike the three-year-old Yaris Ativ, the Yaris hatchback hasn’t received the mechanical update, as it’s about to reach the end of its life cycle in the current generation. Expect the all-new hatch to be introduced early next year in Thailand.
Current eco-car phase-two sedans to be updated this month include the Mazda 2 and the Mitsubishi Attrage. All-new ones will be the Honda City and the Nissan Almera.