Toyota Belta

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Toyota Belta

Manufacturer	Toyota
Also called	Toyota Vios Toyota Yaris sedan
Production	2006–present
Model year(s)	2006–present
Assembly	Kanegasaki, Isawa, Japan Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan Chachoengsao,Thailand
Predecessor	Toyota Platz Toyota Echo (US)
Class	Subcompact car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.3 L 84 hp I4 1.5 L 109 hp I4 1.6 L 122 hp I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4300 mm (169.3 in)
Width	1695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1460 mm (57.5 in)
Fuel capacity	11.1 US gallons (42 L; 9 imp gal)
Related	Toyota Vitz / Yaris hatchback Toyota Vios Scion xD Scion xB (2006)

The Toyota Belta (referred to in North American and Australian markets as the Toyota Yaris sedan or Toyota Vios in South Asian markets) is a subcompact sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It is a redesigned and sportier version of the discontinued Toyota Platz sedan. The Belta went on sale in 2006 equipped with 1.0 to 1.3-liter engines (in Japan), and in 2007 in North America equipped with a 1.5-liter I4.^[1]

The Vitz and the Belta share underpinnings with each other. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's European design studios, the Belta was designed at Toyota's Japanese design studios – design projects for similar cars marketed toward different demographics. While the outgoing Vitz and Platz models look and feel virtually alike (the only things the cars do not share is the front clip, lights, rear doors, and bodies from behind the B-pillar), the new Vitz hatchback and Belta sedans are more subtly related. Sharing a similar but different dashboard, they do not employ the same components. The cars only share a frame and the drivetrain options. The sheetmetal is completely different. The Belta has increased in size over the previous generation, its interior volume larger than the 2001-2008 generation Corolla.

This model is not produced in Valenciennes for European, Israeli, Lebanese and South African Markets. In an effort to boost sales and gain popularity among youths, Toyota has created a MySpace profile of its North American Yaris/Belta vehicle as part of its advertising campaign.^[2]

[edit] First Generation (2006–present)

[edit] Canadian

The Canadian version of the Yaris sedan, which is simply called the Yaris, is based on the American Yaris S with power and all-weather guard packages, but with standard 14 inch wheels. Option packages comes in one of B, C, D, or Aero packages. The B adds 15 inch all-season tires, chrome trim on the decklid, front and rear splash guards, colour-keyed door handles, blacked-out side window frames, keyless entry and power door locks; the C adds ABS, air conditioning, power windows, colour-keyed mirrors and power mirrors; the D adds both side and side-curtain airbags; the Aero adds aluminum alloy wheels, wheel locks, a rear spoiler, and a body kit. The Aero, however, has neither air conditioning nor side airbags. The Canadian model lacks the two-tone interior, pseudo-metallic trim on the door panels, and the new audio system controls (instead it uses an old design) found on the Japanese and American models. The slightly odd looking center bias of the controls and displays is one of Toyota's efforts to standardize the design for all markets, left or right hand drive, similar to the BMW owned Mini Coopers.

[edit] American

The American Yaris is similar to the version sold in Canada, but differs in trim and equipment details. The CE, LE, and RS packages in the Canadian hatchback cars are replaced by the more modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages. The Yaris Sedan is also available as the Yaris S, which has standard convenience and appearance packages. The power package on the Yaris Sedan offers alloy wheels as an option. Side airbags were optional.

The 2007 Yaris received EPA fuel economy ratings of 6 L/100 km (40 miles per gallon) on the highway and 7 L/100 km (34 miles per gallon) in the city, with a Fuel capacity of 42 litres (11.1 gallons). However, because the EPA changed the way they calculate fuel economy, ratings were revised for the 2008 model year and the Yaris is now rated at 29 city/36 mpg highway for the manual transmission, and 29 city/35 mpg highway for the automatic version.^[3]

For the 2009 model year, all Yaris sedans got updated styling with a new grille, wheel covers, alloy designs, and interior fabric, plus optional leather wrapped steering wheel/shift knob, satellite radio, and standard side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes.

2009 Toyota Yaris sedan (US)

[edit] Safety

Standard safety features include airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, and head restraints for all seating positions. Side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and ABS are optional on 2007-2008 models. Beginning in 2009, front and rear row side curtain airbags along with front seat-mounted torso side airbags and anti-lock brakes became standard.^[4] Stability control was unavailable on all models until the 2010 model year when it became standard.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Yaris sedan received a "Good" overall score in the frontal crash test and a "Good" overall score in the side impact test on models equipped with side airbags but a "Poor" overall score on models without side airbags.^[5][6] In their roof strength evaluation the Yaris is rated "Acceptable" with a strength-to-weight ratio of 3.78.^[7]

NHTSA Yaris sedan crash test ratings:^[8]

• Frontal Driver:
• Frontal Passenger:
• Side Driver (w/o side airbags):
• Side Rear Passenger (w/o side airbags):
• Side Driver (w/side airbags):
• Side Rear Passenger (w/side airbags):
• Rollover:

[edit] Awards

• Car of the Year 2007, "Mil Autos" Magazine, Chile.

[edit] US sales

[edit] Second Generation 2011-

Toyota has announced that the Yaris will be redesigned for the 2011 model year on the Toyota iQ's platform.

[edit] References

1. ^ "2007 Toyota Yaris Review and Specs". JB car pages. http://www.jbcarpages.com/toyota/yaris/2007/. Retrieved 2008-08-13. 
2. ^ "Toyota Yaris at MySpace". http://profile.myspace.com/yaris. 
3. ^ "2008 Toyota Yaris Review and Specs". JB car pages. http://www.jbcarpages.com/toyota/yaris/2008/. Retrieved 2008-08-13. 
4. ^ http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/TYT2008072262692.aspx?ncid=12079
5. ^ http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=716
6. ^ http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=719
7. ^ http://www.iihs.org/ratings/roof/detailsbyclass.aspx?90
8. ^ http://www.safercar.gov/portal/search?model=7877

[edit] External links

• Official American site
• Official Canadian site
• Official Mexican site
• (Japanese) Official Japanese site
• Toyota's press release of the Belta
• In depth review of the 2007 Toyota Yaris/Belta
• JB car pages: Toyota Yaris
• PaulTan: 2006 Toyota Belta
• PaulTan: Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota VIOS!
• Yaris fan site