yaris-main

PT Toyota Astra Motor officially launched the new Toyota Yaris in Indonesia yesterday. The Yaris is essentially a hatchback version of the new Vios, and is a different car from the Yaris supermini sold in Europe. We first saw this Yaris at Auto Shanghai 2013, before it was launched in Thailand last October.

Unlike in Thailand, where the Yaris is sold as a 1.2L CVT eco car, the Indonesian-spec Yaris is powered by the familiar 1NZ-FE 1.5 litre engine we know from the Vios. The VVT-i four-pot makes 109 PS and 141 Nm of torque, and is mated to five-speed manual and a conventional four-speed automatic. The five-door hatch's wheelbase, at 2,550 mm, is identical to the Vios'.

Three trim levels are available in Indonesia - E, G and TRD Sportivo, all with a choice of manual or auto. Dual airbags, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist are standard across the board, while the range-topping Yaris gets things like auto air-con, keyless entry with push start and projector headlamps.

yaris big 02

The standard head unit is a touch-screen unit with DVD/MP3/WMA, AUX-in, USB dan Bluetooth capabilities; additional functions on higher spec cars include navigation, "air gesture" swiping, a pre-loaded Toyota Move app and WiFi.

The Yaris starts from Rp. 219 juta (RM63,438) for the manual E, topping out at Rp. 256 juta (RM74,128) for the automatic TRD Sportivo, which gets plenty of aesthetic add-ons for a sportier look.

Should UMW Toyota Motor elect to introduce the Yaris in Malaysia, this Indonesian-spec car, with its Vios drivetrain, should be ideal. With Honda Malaysia already planning for the new Jazz, we say why not? What do you think of this B-segment hatch?