Toyota Nigeria is starting the 2014 business year with the launch of an all-new Yaris, as part of its determined efforts to remain the biggest automobile company and the highest selling brand in the country.
The firm said the unveiling of the new generation Yaris, a budget car, last Thursday in Lagos would serve dual purposes.
First, it noted that the all-new Yaris had put all of Toyota’s big ideas in one small car, thus combining the comfort and clever features usually found in a large car with the manoeuvrability, and fuel economy of a small car.
The Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, gave the other reason during the presentation of the new car. He said, “Business climate in Nigeria and indeed the world is witnessing some form of lull; this has invariably resulted in the reduction of cash flow. Public, private bodies as well as individuals are becoming increasingly conscious of the value and quality of what they spend their hard earned money on.
“Our response as an organisation has been to continually raise the bar in terms of the quality of our sales service delivery to our esteemed customers as well as improve upon our response time in all ramifications of the business in order to intermittently sustain the confidence level of our valued customers in the Toyota brand.”
The TNL boss described the new Yaris as a smart but compact mid-size sedan that would redefine the personality of its owner; a model that would spark up music in the soul of its riders and create another beautiful world around its targets.
Historic background
The TNL Brand Manager, Mr. Adebayo Olawoyin, recalled the Yaris was produced initially in 1999 replacing the Starlet and that between 1999 and 2005, some markets including Nigeria received the Yaris under the name Toyota Echo.
Engine
The vehicle is powered by 1.3-litre engine and has adopted an electronically controlled throttle. It is equipped with dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligence (VVT-I).
Exterior
Toyota says the vehicle has an impressive and dynamic exterior styling. For instance, Olawoyin said the design was a product of a thorough research, recalling after the launch of the outgoing model, the research of customers around the world was initiated to help in the development of the next-generation.
“As a result of this research, these customers were found to be expecting the next-generation Yaris to feature the following characteristics: good quality; stylish design that stands out from competitors; class top level interior and cargo space with a special focus on the rear interior,” he said.
He also noted, in developing the new generation Yaris, the exterior was designed to be ‘eye catching’ and desirable at a first glance.
“During the development stage, competitors’ vehicles were thoroughly analysed, and through this investigation, the developmental direction of the new generation Yaris was initiated to create the vehicle that will be a class leader in its segment,” he added. He also said that the car had been designed with noise insulating and absorbing materials.
The new Yaris has a length of 4410mm; a width of 1700mm and a height of 14755mm. The vehicle’s class-leading presence has been achieved with an overall length increased by 110mm from the previous model; an overall width increased by 10mm and its overall height increased by 15mm.
Interior
Many people will find the cabin of the Yaris very spacious for a small car with adequate headroom and legroom on both rows. According to Olawoyin, the new Yaris has leading rear-seat legroom, with reduced cabin noise. “In line with the expanded vehicle size, a cargo space length of 1058 mm has been secured (increased 78 mm from the current model),” he stated.
It is also equipped with an easily accessible storage space such as an open tray on the passenger side of the instrument panel. Its ample luggage space allows for easier loading and unloading. The Yaris has other utility and comfort features such as air conditioning system and a newly designed control panel. The car has a CD + AM/FM + USB compartment with four speakers.
Safety
Its active safety features consist of anti-lock braking system with an electronic brake-force distribution. The vehicle also has some passive safety features, which include an energy absorbing body structure and a strengthened body frame.
Credit Punch Newspaper
