The new Toyota Yaris has arrived; or at least it's in the country.
The test cars were not quite ready to take to the road at the Irish launch yesterday as registration had been delayed. However, sales will start next month.
Continuing its move to appeal to younger motorists, the Toyota supermini has taken on an ultra-modern look, particularly on the inside, where a digital speedometer and rev counter have replaced the analogue clocks. The new Yaris also features a Start button, similar to that used in BMW's range these days.
Designed with a European audience in mind at the company's ED2 Design studio in southern France, its look is more muscular, though unmistakably Toyota. As with most cars in its class, the new Yaris has been bulked up, with increases in length, height and width.
Toyota also claims it has the biggest boot in its segment - 737 litres with the rear seats folded flat - and that the new car offers 30 per cent more storage space than its predecessor. The rear seats also feature more comfort functions, being able to recline and slide back.
In safety terms, the usual array of airbags are included, along with a new knee airbag, while ABS and Brake assist are standard across the range.
Three engines are on offer here, starting with a three-cylinder 69bhp 1-litre and a four-cylinder 1.3-litre 87bhp. Making up the trio will be the impressive 1.4-litre D-4D diesel.
Some time ago we got the chance to test the 1-litre petrol and found it nippy, though suffering a little from engine noise from the three-cylinder block. A better buy is the 1.3-litre model.
Prices are up slightly on the previous model, with the 1-litre Terra 3-door version starting at €14,995 (€15,595 for the 5-door). The 1.3-litre starts at €16,395 (€16,995 for the 5-door).
Toyota is predicting Yaris sales of 5,800 for next year.