2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz Mini Site Launched in Japan, but Leaked Brochure Shots Reveal All

Toyota is getting ready to present a new generation of its Japanese domestic market Vitz supermini, which we will come to know (with a few changes here and there) as the 2012 Yaris.

For this reason, Toyota launched a mini site teasing the new car through some cropped images and text, which unfortunately, is in Japanese - any help with the translation would be appreciated. From what we understand, the new Vitz / Yaris will either be unveiled or is planned to go on sale in Japan, in December

The teaser shots on the site match the leaked brochure images of the JDM car that have been making the internet rounds these past few days. The catalog pictures reveal a more aggressive and edgier styling language for the new Yaris, while we also learn that the car is 100mm longer in total length and 20 mm shorter in height, compared to the current model. It also gets a 50mm stretch in wheelbase, which should improve interior space.

We'll keep an eye out for any new information and pass it on as it comes.

Link: Toyota Mini Site , Brochure Shots: Minkara & Lo Vitz

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Toyota Unveils Modified RAV4 SUV and Yaris at Melbourne Auto Show

It may have passed your attention, but Friday was the opening day of the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. Aside from the Camry Hybrid study, Toyota also revealed two new locally developed show cars in Melbourne. The modified Yaris and RAV4 are the result of collaboration with Australian promoter of street car shows and events, Auto Salon. "Basically, Toyota gave us the cars and told us to go crazy," said project leader William Ng.

Starting off with the Auto Salon RAV4, the show car stands out thanks to its bright red pearlescent custom paint job, massive 22-inch wheels and tires, new front and rear bumper panels, deep side skirts and "shaved" external door handles. Furthermore, Auto Salon equipped the RAV4 with a custom-built airbag suspension that allows the compact SUV to be lowered on its wheels by up to 250mm for display purposes and then raised again for driving.

The Auto Salon Yaris is an even more extreme proposition distinguished by a camouflage paint-scheme and modified "double-wide" bodywork featuring guards that have been heavily flared to house over-sized 17-inch raised titanium lip wheels and 245/40 Michelin Pilot Preceda tires. The city car's suspension has also been modified with the addition of Buddy Club coil-over suspension adjustable for ride and rebound.

Other modifications include the addition of race-style TRD Recaro driver and front passenger seats, a TRD instrument gauge cluster mounted on the steering column and a high-end Fujitsu Eclipse sound system featuring four amplifiers and six sub-woofers.

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In-Car Smoking can Be Hazardous...

Sticky note for drivers that smoke in their automobiles: if you insist on not using the ashtray (whenever available) at least be sure that when you throw a cigarette out the window that it actually does go out through the window and not right back into the rear seat because your car might end up like this "scorching hot" Yaris...

Via: Englishrussia

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SEMA: Toyota's Yaris Tailback CNG Concept

No car seems to have escaped from the makeover-claws of the loony-tuning doctors at this year's SEMA show - not even the humble Toyota Yaris hatchback. The "Kermit-esque" Yaris Tailback concept has received a complete exterior overhaul featuring a wide bodykit as well as automated rear suicide doors and rear split tailgate. The custom body is accompanied by a set of DPE wheels that feature eleven inch wide rear wheels with a five and a half inch lip and are covered in Nitto rubber, Rotora big brake kit, and Tanabe lowering springs.

Pop up the hood and you'll discover that the greenish Yaris 5 Door Tailback concept features a compressed natural gas system (CNG) that offers the driver the ability to switch from the vehicle's combustion engine to CNG with the push of a button. The CNG tank and custom casing is housed in the rear of the vehicle and is unveiled as the rear tailgate is powered open.

The vehicle's interior boosts a Pioneer audio/visual system with two monitors that have the ability to display movies and videos which can be played through the integrated iPOD. Additionally, custom upholstery adorns the interior with gray suede and black leather front and rear seats with yellow stitching.

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