| Nissan introduces the pleasantly peppy Versa
Japanese power trio Honda, Toyota and Nissan simultaneously recognized a hole in their product lineup: Entry-level vehicles of the sort that brought those companies to the U.S. to start with. That hole was filled with the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. The Versa was the last to the party, and it's a viable competitor. It's more powerful and larger than the other two, though still quite a bit smaller than the previous Nissan entry-level model, the Sentra. Also new for 2007, the Sentra has grown in size and price, leaving a sizable niche for the Versa. I've driven a couple of Versas, both hatchback models. A sedan version is due soon, but it's just a difference in body style. I spent most of my time in an up-level Versa SL, but I also drove a base S model.
2 BREAKS COVER
- The 2 (called Demio in Japan) is a B-segment (sub-compact) hatchback that debuts in Geneva next month. It will share many engines and many internal giblets with the Ford Fiesta that breaks cover in all-new form later this year. - There should be a variety of four-cylinder engines displacing under 1.6 litres. Diesel version would be the 1.4-litre unit co-developed with PSA Group, meaning that there will now be five brands using it: Ford, Mazda, Peugeot, Citroen and Mini. - The 2 is positioned as a stylish hatch to match the Toyota Yaris, instead of a practical alternative to the Honda Jazz which, however, is still a rival to the 2. - There could be more body variations of the 2 possibly three-door hatch, five-seat MPV and high-body (SUV style with 2WD).
REVIEW: Toyota Yaris Subcompact Hatchback
The subcompact hatchback segment is getting a little crowded these days, as everyone tries to avoid the rising prices at the pumps while maintaining enough cargo space and utility to actually have a useful car. The Toyota Yaris fits right into this description, offering class-leading fuel economy, oodles of interior room, and enough features that would make its bigger Corolla cousin blush. As some of you may know, the Toyota Yaris replaces the Echo hatchback, which in term replaced the Toyota Tercel. It is thoroughly marketed as a cheap city car that will get around town on a budget. With this in mind, the initial impression is that Toyota has hopped up the goodies found within with much more than what you normally find in an econobox. For example, if you opt for the highest end model, you'll get an in-dash 6-disc MP3 CD player.
Today's compact cars have more sophisticated features and come in ...
Small cars these days are all about "more." More sophisticated features, more practical uses, and more driving fun. And most of all, there are more of them. From the sci-fi-like Smart Fortwo to the muscular C30 from Volvo, a gaggle of new small cars will present shoppers with all manner of styles -- and sizes -- to choose from this year. BMW AG's Mini line brought the updated version of its smash hit, the Mini Cooper, to the United States this month. Also, Toyota Motor Corp. earlier this month introduced the Scion xD, which packs more power and aggressive styling than the Scion xA model it is replacing. These follow the 2006 model-year crop of Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo, and Nissan Versa. Audi introduced its A3 in the United States two years ago at prices ranging from about $26,000 to $34,700 for an all-wheel drive.
2007 Chevrolet Aveo
That jingling you hear isn't sleigh bells�it's actually the change left in your pocket after filling the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo's 11.9-gallon fuel tank. This is but one of the joys of driving Chevy's small-but-tall people hauler. The fact that it is (actually) not bad to drive is another. If you're a car type person, you may remember that the Aveo was all-new in 2004. In a move that shows just how competitive today's automotive world is, General Motors elected to refurbish their entry-level model for its fourth model year. Good thing, too, as the Aveo's competition is just as fresh, and includes solid players such as the Hyundai Accent, the Honda Fit, and the Toyota Yaris. Sipping to 60 mph
Like these other automotive appliances, fuel economy is the name of the game, and the Aveo's 1.6-liter engine delivers 27 mpg city/37 mpg highway with a 5-speed manual, and 25/34 mpg with the optional 4-speed automatic ($850).
Toyota scores another hit with the Yaris
If my brief experience with the Yaris is a good indication, Toyota has yet another hit on its hands. Not only did I find the little devil a hoot to drive, but others found it appealing too. Folks turned their heads as I drove by, and more than one passer-by in a parking lot stopped to ask me questions about the car.
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Toyota Yaris |
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| Toyota Yaris Performance & Efficiency Standard Features |
-1,496 cc 1.5 liters in-line 4 front engine with 74.9 mm bore, 84.6 mm stroke, 10.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder 1SZ-FE
-Unleaded fuel 87
-Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 39 and EPA city (mpg): 34
-Multi-point injection fuel system
-11.1 gallon main unleaded fuel tank
-Power: 79 kW , 106 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 103 ft lb , 140 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
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| Toyota Yaris Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features |
-Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
-Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
-Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs , torsion beam rear suspension rigid with coil springs
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| Toyota Yaris Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features |
-Body color front and rear bumpers
-Driver and passenger internally adjustable partial-painted door mirrors
-External dimensions: overall length (inches): 169.3, overall width (inches): 66.5, overall height (inches): 56.5, wheelbase (inches): 100.4, front track (inches): 57.9, rear track (inches): 57.5 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 32.6
-Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
-Luxury trim alloy look on dashboard
-Mica paint
-Fixed rear window with defogger
-Tinted glass on cabin
-Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,321
-Windshield wipers with fixed intermittent wipe
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| Toyota Yaris Interior Standard Features |
-12v power outlet: front and 1
-Air conditioning
-Element antenna
-Manufacturer's own audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
-Automatic drive indicator on dashboard
-Cargo area light
-Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 13.7 and all seats in place (cu ft): 13.7
-Clock
-Full dashboard console with open storage box , full floor console with covered storage box
-Delayed/fade courtesy lights
-Front seats cup holders pop out , rear seats cup holders fixed
-Door ajar warning
-Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
-Floor covering: carpet in load area
-Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment , passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
-Bucket driver seat with height adjustment , bucket passenger seat
-Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
-Front seat center armrest
-Glove compartment
-Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats , three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
-Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.8, rear headroom (inches): 36.7, front hip room (inches): 49.8, rear hip room (inches): 50.1, front leg room (inches): 42.2, rear leg room (inches): 35.6, front shoulder room (inches): 51.6, rear shoulder room (inches): 50.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 87.1
-Low fuel level warning
-Low washer fluid level warning
-Power steering
-Front reading lights
-3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
-Rear seat center armrest
-Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
-Rear view mirror
-Remote fuel filler door release
-Mechanical remote trunk/hatch release
-Front seat back storage
-Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
-Seating: five seats
-Service interval indicator
-Four speaker(s)
-Plastic steering wheel with tilt adjustment
-Driver and passenger vanity mirror
-Ventilation system with micro filter
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