The three tests we have are between the Honda Accord and the Honda Fit, the Toyota Camry and Toyota Yaris, and finally the Mercedes C300 and the Smart ForTwo. With each we get a full speed offset frontal crash with both cars traveling at 40 MPH, destruction and carnage ensue and rightly so, there's a lot of energy involved here. These are hardly scientific tests, and they represent the absolute most extreme crash scenario for these speeds, especially for the smaller cars. Ratings got from "Good" at the top of the scale through "Acceptable" and "Poor." Considering this is one car bashing into another, the evaluation is somewhat subjective, but it gives an idea of relative performance. Let's take a closer look at each.

Smart ForTwo Versus Mercedes C300

The Smart ForTwo is the poster child for Micro-Machine scale automobiles. With a tiny, tiny footprint and virtually zero front overhang, the 1808 lb ForTwo relies on a super-strong safety cage and airbags for protection. It's cold comfort against the much bigger Mercedes-Benz C300, tipping the scales at 3,560 lbs. Considering the circumstances, the little Smart held up pretty well, even though it bounced off the Benz like a pinball. The Benz scores a Good while the Smart gets a Poor, which is pretty harsh under these conditions. We like watching the three-pointed star float past the Smart in the slo-mo.

Honda Fit Versus Honda Accord

The Fit is one of our favorite little cars, with the new design maintaining the fun character of the original while giving it a little more room inside. The Fit uses traditional crumple zones for crash force dissipation but with such short overhangs there's not much room to slow absorb energy in a collision. When Accord meets Fit, we get an seriously mangled mess with the Fit. There's significant damage to the safety cage with the A-pillar crumpling and the wheel well smooshing up into the footwell. However, the front and side airbags kept the driver's head from bashing into hard parts. The 2489 lb Fit scored a Poor while the 3297 lb Accord was Good.

Toyota Yaris Versus Toyota Camry

The Yaris scores a Poor and the Camry gets an Acceptable, but this one seems like it needs another level of bad. In this crash the Yaris crumples up into a pretzel, with the A-pillar severely kinking, the wheel occupying the space where the driver's feet used to be and the door flying open. Yikes. The 2288 lbs Yaris is 200 lbs lighter than the Fit and the Camry is only 30 lbs less than the Accord, but the results seem more out of proportion than the differences in heft.

According to Automotive News and Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Toyota chief engineer Akihiko Otsuka has confirmed there's a Yaris Hybrid being developed for sale in Japan and the United States.

Toyota has been seeing tough competition from the equally egg-shaped Prius price-undercutting Honda Insight. The new car would wear a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive and target the low end of the market, with a target price even lower than the Insight's $19,800 starting price. No timeline has been announced, but expect the Yaris Hybrid to be unveiled with the next generation of the bowler hat-shaped micro car for 2011. [Auto News Sub. Req.]

An all-too-nice Toyota spokesperson was all-too-happy to humor us, saying:

We usually use the descriptors for either vehicle, like "Prius hybrids/vehicles" or "Yaris hatchbacks/subcompacts," etc. Heard this was a point of discussion! Hope that helps!

So there you go Autoblog, now you know.

Also, something else happened — we think like 1.3 million Yarises are being recalled. But not to worry happy hybrid owners, no Prii appear to be affected.

This forum poster at the Canadian Beyond Cars forums chronicles a tale of being pulled over in his illegally modified Yaris where upon surrendering his license manages to work his way out of the ticket because of a hilarious haircut and a tale of self-deprecation for charity. After seeing this drivers license photo and listening to the guys story, we're thinking we'd have cut this guy loose too, that kind of funny only comes along once in a blue moon.

So driving home today, I got pulled over. I have pretty light tint all around including the fronts, so I knew I'd eventually get in trouble.

Cop asked me if I knew why he pulled me over, I said I had no idea, since I saw him from a long ways back and went speed limit the whole time he was beside/behind me. Told me front window tint is illegal in Alberta, asked for my license and registration. I handed it over.

He took a look for a good 30 seconds, comparing my drivers license to my face. Some of you may remember I did the Cul-de-sac for crohn's charity event here, where I shaved my head into a sweet ass cul-de-sac for a week. Well, I thought it'd be a good idea to get my drivers' license updated with that picture, so until 2011, my drivers license has a picture of me with a cul-de-sac, along with a weaksauce moustache from Moustache March. Yes, it looks ridiculous.

Back to the story, cop asks me what's up with the picture. I explained the whole charity thing, and he asked if I raised a lot of money. Jokingly, I said looking that ridiculous, going to tons of public events (I went to the Blowfish grand opening where press was present too lol), a lot of ppl appreciated it and donated so it was a good turnout. He laughed, said consider this a warning, and let me go. No fix-it ticket, didn't ask me to remove the tint, just let me go. SWEEEET!

Karma baby!!!

[Beyond Forums]

Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the three fuel efficient 2009 Toyota Yaris subcompact models. MSRPs will range from $12,205 for the three-door Liftback Base model to $15,880 for the Sedan S model when the vehicles hit dealerships later this summer.

Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.

The excellent fuel economy, combined with extensive standard equipment and fun-to-drive features make Yaris an outstanding value. For 2009, Yaris is available in three body styles: a sedan, three-door Liftback, and an all-new five-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty “S” grades.

All Yaris grades will now feature a number of standard safety features, including anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. New exterior colors for the 2009 Yaris include Zephyr Blue Metallic and Blue Streak Metallic on Sedan and Yellow Jolt and Carmine Red Metallic on Liftback.

Prices for the Yaris three-door Liftback models range from $12,205 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $14,825 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new five-door Liftback model prices range from $13,305 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission to $15,125 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

Yaris Sedan model pricing ranges from $12,965 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $15,880 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

[Toyota]

TOYOTA YARIS SR: A WINNING RECIPE

Take one Yaris. Add highly desirable styling and exclusive equipment features. Price competitively and sell.

It is as simple as that. Toyota has comprehensively upgraded the specification of its 1.3 VVT-i and 1.4 D-4D Yaris SR models to create one of the most impressive supermini prospects on the market.

A unique standard feature of the new Yaris SR is the satellite navigation / audio system which is both built in and fully portable. The system offers handy touch screen operation, Bluetooth connectivity and USB connection for MP3 players.

Taking as its starting point the highly specified T3 model, the SR ramps up its owner-appeal with the addition of:

* Fully integrated audio system with removable TomTom satellite navigation unit - a first in the B segment, exclusive to Toyota
* Toyota Motorsport 16-inch Pit Lane alloy wheels
* Toyota Motorsport lowered sports suspension
* Rear roof spoiler
* Chrome exhaust finisher
* Brushed alloy gearshift knob (manual versions)
* Front scuff plates

In spite of all these extra features, the on-the-road price of the SR models is just £350 greater than the equivalent T3 version and represents £1,100 extra value. And the price tag also covers nine airbags, electric front windows, remote central double locking, air conditioning, front fog lamps and the one-touch Easy Flat folding rear seat system.

Toyota to showcase innovation at 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

World-premiere of a radical new small car concept
10 years of Hybrid Synergy Drive
Two new Yaris models
New RAV4 Cross Sport
More specifications for the legendary Land Cruiser


At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota will also unveil a new small car concept in a revolutionary design.

Furthermore, Toyota is celebrating 10 years of commercial success with hybrid technology and the world's most popular low emissions hybrid car, the Toyota Prius. This focus on hybrid technology is one key element in Toyota's commitment to minimising fleet average CO2 emissions in Europe.

Toyota also uses the Frankfurt Motor Show to present the latest updates in some of its most popular models in Europe:

Two new models will be introduced into the Yaris line-up. The new Yaris 1.0-liter will showcase Yaris intelligent technology for smart urban driving, with its economical and easy-to-drive style. The new Yaris mid-range grade offers more refined sportiness with a choice of petrol or diesel engines and hi-tech equipment levels, including an integrated, full map navigation system.

The iconic Toyota RAV4 comes with a new grade: RAV4 Cross Sport, offered in a new stylish design and premium quality with a range of enhancements for the 2008 model year. These further emphasise the sophisticated and urban design themes of RAV4 across the range.

Also on the stand is the Land Cruiser, now offered with extra specifications to further enhance passenger comfort. The fresh exterior styling of Land Cruiser adds a more dynamic look to reflect the superior quality of the model range.

For more information, please visit the Toyota press conference at Frankfurt Motor Show on September 11th 2007, Hall 8.

Toyota Yaris Holds Top Spot; Infiniti Debuts

ATLANTA, GA - Gaywheels.com, the sole source of information specifically targeted to and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) car-shoppers, today announced its list of the Top 10 Most-Researched Vehicles during the second quarter of 2007. For the fourth straight quarter, the entry-level Toyota Yaris maintained the top position, while for the first time ever, a Nissan product, the Infiniti-branded FX sport-utility vehicle, joined the list.

Gaywheels.com Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles -April - June, 2007

1. Toyota Yaris
2. Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
3. Mazda MX-5
4. Volkswagen Jetta
5. VW EOS
6. Dodge Caliber
7. Toyota Camry
8. Audi A3
9. VW Rabbit
10. Infiniti FX

Toyota's Lightweight [LAtimes.com]

Related:
More Dan Neil; The Apocalypse Dudes: An Open Letter to Auto Designers; Toyota Tundra Is The New Buick? [Internal]

"The average price increase on the models was $136, or about 0.7%.

Among the changes, the suggested price of the Corolla compact sedan will rise $100, or 0.6%; the FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle will rise $200, or 0.9%; and gasoline-powered versions of the Camry midsize sedan will rise $200, or 0.9%.

Prices also will rise on the Yaris subcompact sedan and hatchback, Matrix crossover utility vehicle, RAV4 compact SUV and Tacoma pickup truck."

Prices on 7 Toyota models to edge up [AP via Freep]

Related:
Lexus, For Some Reason, Announces LS 470 Limited Edition Pricing; Breaking Records! Toyota Likes To Be On Top Of Ford, Sales Up A Super Best-Ever 15.9% [internal]

Toyota says it's bringing a more powerful Yaris minicar to the Paris show next month. Where the base model barely scratches the double digits in horsepower (106), the Yaris TS will wring 132 horses from a new 1.8-liter four with dual VVT-i engine and ride on a retuned suspension. Top speed on this ball of rolling thunder is 121 mph. Expect it in early 2007 for Europe and a big question mark for the US market.

Related:
Ad Watch: Toyota's Yaris — Gas Bugs Go "RAHR!" [internal]

This is a neat little addition to the funny series of ads Toyota's created fot their little bit higher than econo hot hatch named Yaris. In this commercial, the Yaris takes on another hot hatch...itself. All we want to know is how much will the hedgehog cannon cost us as an add-on accessory, and if it doesn't really exist we're gonna sue Toyota's ass for false advertising. Shit, haven't they heard of the Consumerist yet?

Related:
Ad Watch: Toyota's Yaris — Gas Bugs Go "RAHR!" [internal]

The flag, which can be seen from 1000ft in the air and from miles around and bosses at the plant were 100% behind the idea, not only juggling teams and shifts to make sure the flag was ready but also so that their workers can watch the big game. Well that's good — cause it must have been a tough job getting 400 cars parked in straight lines next to each other — unless of course, you're a yard driver and it's your job!

Toyota factory workers in England made giant flag from cars [AutoMotoPortal]

Related:
16 World Cup Players Stop Playing With Their Balls For A Moment; Show Off Their Cars [internal]

We think maybe Toyota's second Tokyo Plastic rendered ad is trying to tell us that in the future the only way we'll be able to get gas is if we have a super-smart li'l car that can run over the bug-like creatures hoarding it from us — and then drink the gas-blood from the shattered remains. Or, maybe the Yaris just gets really good mileage. Either way, the ad is really funny cause the little bug thing goes "RAHR!" and makes us giggle.

Toyota Yaris - Commercial [YouTube]

Related:
Ad Watch: Toyota's Yaris Keeps Kosher; Kills A Pig And Takes Money; Ad Watch [internal]

You may have seen some of the funny little white-background ads for the new Toyota Yaris. Each of the four ads, written by Saatchi & Saatchi of Los Angeles and animated by London-based digi-animation shop Tokyo Plastic, are designed to boast the "nifty features" like "sleek design, affordability, fuel economy and MP3 compatability. We've found one of the ads (hat tip to ) and YouTube'd it up for your viewing pleasure — we'll have more up throughout the weekend, just keep checking the Ad Watch mini-site or the RSS tag.

Toyota Gets Mischievous With Yaris [5.3.06] [AdCritic]

Related:
More Ad Watch [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It's small, cheap, frugal, reliable and not slow.
Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's small, cheap, frugal, reliable, ugly and dull.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Toyota
· Model tested: Yaris Liftback
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $13,510
· Engine type: 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i four-cylinder
· Horsepower: 106 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 103 ft.-lbs. @ 4200 rpm
· Redline: n/a
· Wheels and Tires: P175/65R14 Bridgestone Potenza
· Drive type: front-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 9.8 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 18.1 seconds
· Top speed: not much
· Fuel economy city/highway: 34 / 39
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NR/NR/4

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Toyota Yaris, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design **
The Yaris Liftback's design represents a conflict between "small is beautiful" and "man is that ugly." If the detailing was halfway cool, I'd cast my lot with the willing-to-be-crushed-like-a-bug-for-my-art camp. But it isn't. The slight creases flanking the Yaris' front logo are all kinds of ludicrous, and someone missed the "shrink to fit" label on the headlights. In fact, the small Toy is one of those rare machines that looks best from behind — which is probably just as well given that most of you pistonheads will be doggy-sniffing this beastie in your fast-acting whips.

Acceleration ****
For a motor vehicle with a 106-horse handbag secreted in its stubby schnoz, the Yaris is almost impossibly accelerative. It tips in well and... keeps going! There's plenty of shove for the cut-and-thrust of urban warfare. The 1.5-liter VVT-i fuel injected e-throttled nitrous fed (just kidding) four only runs out of puff above the double nickel, where adding velocity requires either a drop into third or the patience of Job.

Braking ***
The Yaris' stoppers are another surprisingly effective weapon in its dynamic armory. OK, maybe it's not such a good idea to get all macho about an A to B'er kitted-out with front discs and rear drums. Still, with not much car to retard, the anchors do a fine job of hauling the wee beastie down from whatever speed you can achieve. They even threw in a bit of pedal feel, at no extra charge.

Ride ****
If you expect an economy car to serve-up a Jag-like magic carpet ride, now's the time to admit to yourself that cheap champagne is just bad wine with bubbles. Even so, the Yaris rubberizes all surface imperfections, reducing rough roads to nothing more than a motel bed mechanical massage.

Handling ***
You'd expect a small car with rack and pinion steering and itty bitty wheels at the extreme end of all four corners to be nimble enough to jump over a candlestick. More surprisingly, the automotive microlight sits in a corner like Little Jack Horner. It's no giant slayer, but what do you expect from a car that costs less than the tax on a S55 AMG.

Gearbox **
If you're under 65, go for the manual. Not only do you trim a fabulous 0.3 of a second off the Yaris' zero-to-sixty amble, but you avoid an autobox that shunts and hunts. It's not a huge problem, but neither is plaque.

Audio/Video *
Ouch.

Toys *
None.

Trunk **
Pack light or lose the passengers.

Overall ***

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Toyota Yaris, Part 1, Part 3 [internal]

Wethinks that some of the editors over at Driver's Seat might've been spending a bit too much time contemplating the bottom of a bottle of Canadian Mist and not enough time paying attention to which red Japanese subcompact the hosts were yammering on about. In this spot about the Honda Fit, a Toyota Yaris is plainly featured traversing the damp, dreary slalom course. What's Canuck for "D'oh!"? [Thanks to Jade for the tip.]

Honda Toyota Mixup [YouTube]

Related:
[Internal]