Europe gets Toyota Yaris SR with dockable TomTom nav unit

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Budget, Technology, Hatchback, Toyota, Lifestyle, UK

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Toyota Yaris SR

The Euro-spec Toyota Yaris is a well-equipped little car. But things like the nine airbags, chrome exhaust finisher, and remote central double locking are merely gravy for the real show on this new SR model: a fully-integrated portable TomTom navigation system that doubles as a touchscreen interface for the car stereo.

It's a neat little trick, and the unit also offers Bluetooth connectivity and a USB connection for MP3 players. We wonder, though, if this is about simply making life easier and aesthetically cleaner for GPS users, or if people are really clamoring for a portable GPS. This blogger has never seen anyone walking down the street taking direction from a TomTom -- but this blogger also lives in LA where nobody walks anywhere, so maybe I'm not the best judge. If nothing else, certain Euro Yaris takers can finally kiss the suction cups goodbye. Uh, Toyota, how 'bout some of that love over this way, please?

Gallery: Toyota Yaris SR

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Europe gets Toyota Yaris SR with dockable TomTom nav unit

Europe gets Toyota Yaris SR with dockable TomTom nav unit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota GB launches Yaris SR 1.8

Alex Nunez — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Toyota

Click photo for gallery

Last week, Toyota Great Britain announced the addition of the Yaris SR 1.8 to the top of the division's Yaris lineup. With its 130-horsepower Dual VVT-i powerplant, it immediately becomes the spunkiest Yaris, capable of a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) run in 9.3 seconds while managing over 39 miles per gallon in the combined cycle. Not bad at all, especially when you consider that we can only get the Yaris with a 106-horse 1.5L engine.

The SR trim level adds 17" alloys and nice visual touches like foglights, a trailing-edge roof spoiler, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum interior trim. Also note the better-looking Euro taillights. Shoppers desiring for the car's sporty looks but not the more high-zoot motor can opt for the SR trimmings on cars equipped with the 1.3L VVT-i (87 hp) and 1.4L D-4D diesel (90 hp). It's available in both three and five-door hatchback bodystyes, and the Yaris SR 1.8 is offered in continental Europe as the Yaris TS. Again, the people across the pond win. We get the impossibly heinous Yaris 4-door sedan with the smaller engine in the US market, while they get the much-better-looking 5-door hatch and a new topline powerplant? Sheesh.

[Source: Toyota GB]

Gallery: Toyota Yaris SR 1.8 (UK Market)

Continue reading Toyota GB launches Yaris SR 1.8

Toyota GB launches Yaris SR 1.8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments