Till now, Toyota’s Yaris has served among the best in its B-segment class. With the third generation all-new 2014 model, the car maker has injected more character in its bread-and-butter sedan. Automan examines the next stage evolution of this successful model

Author: Chandan B Mallik Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

Toyota’s entry level bread-and-butter model currently in the region is the Yaris which is sold in both hatchback and sedan bodystyles. The new model arrives at a time where over the last few years the B-segment in particular has witnessed a sea of change. New model fragmentation within this lucrative segment has been very high mostly due to the introduction of new model types such as the SUV and B-MPV. This aspect, we believe had also had some contribution in prompting Toyota think twice before moving forward when it came to developing, designing and packaging the successor.

In the past two generations, the Yaris has built up a solid bullet proof reputation for being a true value for money proposition, besides being extremely reliable mechanically with very low ownership costs. Toyota seems to have adopted a very famous British adage by Rolls-Royce co-founder Sir Henry Royce who very often would advise his team of designers and engineers by saying: “Take the best that exists and make it better.”

And in case of the new Yaris it applies to what you see and what you don’t.  Mechanically, the car is based on the solid foundations of its predecessor and this means instead of investing in a brand new platform, the bulk of the investment has been devoted in enhancing the feature pack. While the wheelbase of 2,500mm remains unchanged, overall vehicle length is now 4,410mm [up by 110mm], and at 1,700mm, width is up by 10mm and at 1,475mm, height is up by 15mm. Despite these changes, the new Yaris looks well proportioned and balanced. And from the marketing perspective, several grades are offered which are tailored specifically to offer a stronger differentiation. Our test vehicle was the 1.5 G luxury variant.

From the overall packaging and specifications perspective, it seems that Toyota had an agenda to blend youthfulness into the car along with mod cons and consciously stay away from gimmickry or unnecessary features.

From the design and functional aspect, the car combines the clever packaging DNA of the previous generations with a youth oriented presentation. The sheet metal is all-new and exhibits a greater sense of a bolder, more dynamic and elegant design execution befitting a European-flavoured compact global car.

At first glance, the four-door sedan's profile is sleeker and refined and now connects visually with the new Camry actually more than the Corolla. The front end of the car takes on the horizontal design approach and the elements [headlamps, trapedoizal grille and chrome garnishes] makes the car appear broader. Although, the car is a few mm taller than before, but the stance remains unchanged and it appears planted, thanks to the 185/60R tyres on 15in alloys which fill the contoured wheel wells. Side sheet metal is a mix of concave and convex surface interplay with new character lines, one more angular than before and the other one softer below the waist line. But what is rather unusual is the roof which sports a soft double bubble. The most extreme application we can remember comes in Peugeot’s Bertone designed RCZ sports car, however, it’s much modest out here. Why? Our guess is its more functional than just a design take. 

One noticeable element that strikes immediately is the base of the A-pillar which has been moved forward to enhance the cab forward profile and hence there’s an increase in windscreen. The windscreen rake has helped improve the vehicle's drag coefficient to a class-leading Cd 0.28. According to Toyota, torsional rigidity in the car’s body is 20 per cent more than the outgoing model.

The car’s cabin also has a bigger story to tell. It has been totally revisited. Gone are the plastics in favour of a Camry-esque materials and design. The dashboard is new, it is contemporary and Optitron instrumentation now moves from the centre to in front of the driver. The central console is redesigned with the audio dominating the top while the manual controls and LCD display for the air-conditioning are located at the base of the console. Even in top trim, there’s no provision for Satnav or a multimedia TFT screen, however, our car did have stop-start and keyless entry.

While the cabin appears occupant friendly with lot of leg and head room, we simply loved the newly contoured manually adjustable front seats. Not only they look good, they offer improved body-hugging qualities. Meanwhile, the double stitched fabric also doesn’t go unnoticed. Fit, finish, touch points of this Thailand-built car is world class, typically expected from Toyota.  Meanwhile, at the rear, leg and head room is certainly top in its class, we think. Cabin conveniences are especially important in a subcompact, and the Yaris has good ones including a sporty leather-bound flat bottomed steering wheel. While in general the feature pack is impressive including the parking sensors, one does have to get used to the odd placement of the display which sits under the dash in the left hand corner.

Under the rakish bonnet is a choice of carryover powertrains – normally-aspirated 84hp 1.3-litre four-cylinder or 107hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder DOHC with VVti.  Transmission for the smaller engine include 5-speed manual and four speed automatic, while the bigger engines are mated to 4-speed automatic transmission only. We have to wonder if the 4-speed automatic is outdated nowadays, considering most automakers are using at least six speeds for improved power management and fuel efficiency. Toyota’s efficiency effort which forms the Eco drive package is related to engine management, throttle and gearbox and not on equipment energy saving measures which some other cars offer. 

Suspension package also largely remains unchanged with McPherson struts and torsion beam, there have been some revisions and the addition of a stabliser bar at the rear. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, electronic brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, SRS airbag for driver and passenger.

Driving impressions

On the move, this incoming model communicates several things. It is both similar and different than the outgoing Yaris. Thanks, to a slightly stiffer suspension set-up, the new Yaris doesn't lean uncomfortably in corners and has a reasonably compliant ride even over rough patches. Interestingly, despite a longer front overhang, the car’s suspension feels exactly as before when it comes to performance. But the throttle-by-wire feels a bit more enthusiastic. Our test car’s 1.5-litre DOHC engine has come a long way and we found ourselves very comfortable on highways. The output of 107hp is more than enough for everyday driving, and the 104lb-ft of torque is available over a broad range peaking at 4,200rpm. Thanks to better noise, vibration and harshness management, the car is much quieter than before. The electric power steering exhibits typical performance in the steering feel equation but we do note that it is better than the outgoing model. The dead centre is much better now and there’s a feel of weight, but the feedback to the driver’s tap is slow and one does have to be reminded that this is a city car and not a sports sedan. While, the car did feel a bit front heavy due to this but the overall driving experienced isn’t dampened or compromised. As a city car, Toyota’s Eco feature is best noted in slow city driving.

Verdict

The new Yaris consolidates all the strengths of the previous generation vehicle, while offering a more dynamic and sophisticated design execution, a clear step-up in sensory quality, a segment breakthrough in affordable multimedia connectivity, efficient powertrains, innovative transmission and the greater agility essential to urban driving. The arrival of the all-new Toyota Yaris should add a new chapter to the model's ongoing Omani and regional success story.  Price of the model tested in Oman is OMR6,950.

Significantly upgraded for the currently year, Audi’s seventh generation turbocharged V8 S6 is a car that can be instinctively trusted. We spent some time with this car in the UAE

Author: Chandan Basu Mallik

With the 2013 Audi S6, Audi seems to have reinvented its line of S-equipped models. In fact, the idea seems to be to take the best from both worlds -- pure performance combined with refinement. In fact it gets a high profile package deal drawing expertise from models like the beautiful fastback styled A7 to the top-of-the line A8. Audi’s line-up of V8 powered S models is growing, and soon each ‘S’-badged model is expected to carve it own place. Audi takes the “A” models’ rich mix of virtues and turns it lethal and why not? We are aware that in global markets of the four models sold with the new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, the range topping 420hp S7 is the beauty with brains, while the 520hp S8 sits on the top with lots of mind boggling features. With this arrangement in the line-up, it leaves the four-door S6 as the serious performance sedan.

Since these cars are engineered with similar specifics in mind, hence many components and technologies are shared under the skin. Technically, the S6 is identical to the S7, but thanks to the lack of a hatch and its slightly more compact dimensions, the S6 is lighter by 4kg, and another difference is that it has a slightly narrower track. The chassis components are identical, however, and so are the engine and the transmission.

For 2013, Ford’s full-size Expedition SUV gains a few upgrades and is maturing nicely in its career in Oman

Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Author and Elvis John Ferro

One of the great things of living in the Middle East is that you don’t have to worry too much about fuel prices or the downsizing trends that currently the trend in the global automotive business as there’s still a buoyant market for large cars, including SUVs. As a result, the automotive retail sector in the region still believes that the current popularity of large sport-utility vehicles will continue irrespective of what happens in the West.

Despite the proliferation of SUVs of all kinds – from lifestyle, utilitarian or active or the newly invented acronyms these days, there’s still a strong need for a full-size SUV like the 2013 Ford Expedition in this part of the world. Actually, the full-size eight-passenger Expedition is a bit of an understatement when you consider its humongous dimensions. It is still among the largest passenger vehicles on the road.

We take a look at our COTY 2012 mid-sized SUV winner, Hyundai’s Santa Fe which will soon be joined by a larger 7-seater version in the region

Author: Chandan Basu Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

The compact Santa Fe Sport fits neatly between Hyundai’s smaller Tucson and the larger Veracruz. The long-wheelbase (LWB) Santa Fe will replace the Veracruz. Santa Fe (and Tucson) are crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs, meaning they are car-based sport utilities, essentially tall wagons, which offer more car-like driving dynamics and fuel efficiency than truck-based SUVs.  

The Sante Fe is offered in Oman with two powertrain options, the base model being the four-cylinder 2.4-litre producing 174 hp and 227 Nm of torque, and the bigger V6 3.3-litre producing 266 hp and 318 Nm of torque. Two-wheel drive is standard in the base model, while four-wheel-drive is standard in all the higher models. The test car featured in this article was the V6.

Lexus expects its expanded range to be more competitive against offerings from the dominant German brands Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. As a result the all-new third-generation 2014 IS sedan is crucial in this game plan. Automan checks out the car in Oman

Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

For Lexus, no model is more important to its aim on taking the opposition in the entry level than the new IS, its re-energised BMW 3 Series missile. The effort begins in the looks department itself. While BMW is going softer in its design with the new cars, Lexus design is getting sharper and more defined. And it is this dynamic character which is infusing excitement across Lexus models, even at entry level.