RE: Toyota Yaris GRMN - Geneva 2017

[SE2]

That name is terrible. It's not exactly TTE or TRD, is it.

[MustardCutter]

Looks great on paper, it's just a shame it looks like it has a giant mustache for a front bumper.

[bubaak]

SE2 said:

That name is terrible. It's not exactly TTE or TRD, is it.

TRD = Toyota Racing development
TTE = Toyota Team Europe
GRMN = Gazoo Racing tuned by M(astar) N(urburgring)

[iwantcheese5]

I still read it as the Yaris GeRMaN...

Could have the potential to fill the void left by the R.S. Clio.

[Blayney]

I vote calling it the Gazoo.

[Kolbenkopp]

I think 'Gremlin' isn't bad either . IMO quite refreshing they are for once not just making a 'warm' version. Mechanical LSD, 1.8l supercharged engine (allegedly 2ZR-FE similar to what Lotus is using in the SCs), manual gearbox. Nice!

Let's hope it drives as well as the spec sheet promises. I think it's pig ugly, especially from the front, but should not be so bad in all black... And in the end who cares.

[gweaver]

I like GReMliN, American Motors Corporation connotations not withstanding!

[mx-tro]

Nice to see more variety in the hot hatch market. But begs the question why they won't slap on a TVS charger to the GT86...

[Kolbenkopp]

Ilovejapcrap said:

Hmm not sure how bothered I am I may just for a charger to my swift once warrant out instead

Semi off-topic: they also launched the new Swift in Geneva. Shame for the styling, think it did not exactly get prettier. But the headline figure is the weight. They managed to take another ~ 100 kg out of it. The lightest version now starts at 840kg (DIN weight, wet but no driver). That's the territory of current Elises!

Quite promising for the next gen Sport. Even if it ends up getting the 1.4 Turbo engine.

[Loyly]

gweaver said:

Or a screw type supercharger - they're more efficient than a roots type. It wouldn't surprise me if it was electrically driven or on a clutch, or some other witchcraft. If the engine can switch between different cycles it might only use the supercharger in one cycle.

It may well be like the Nissan Note, where the supercharger is engaged by a clutch on an open throttle, so you have power when you need it and limit your frictional losses when you don't.

Anyway, this is a really exciting sounding car. It's great to see the three cylinder Fiesta ST and now a supercharged Toyota bringing some excitement back to the small hot hatch field. I'm really glad Toyota are bringing this to the market.

[gweaver]

Kolbenkopp said:

Semi off-topic: they also launched the new Swift in Geneva. Shame for the styling, think it did not exactly get prettier. But the headline figure is the weight. They managed to take another ~ 100 kg out of it. The lightest version now starts at 840kg (DIN weight, wet but no driver). That's the territory of current Elises!

Quite promising for the next gen Sport. Even if it ends up getting the 1.4 Turbo engine.

It's looking promising for the Fiesta ST, Yaris & Swift Sport - it'll be good to see some real competition and choice. Shame none of them is a great design..
I think they'll be quite different propositions - Swift affordable and agile; Fiesta bang for the buck; and Yaris uncompromised but pricey.

[VeeFource]

Ilovejapcrap said:

Hmm not sure how bothered I am I may just for a charger to my swift once warrant out instead

I can see the appeal, but it's 4-5k you probably won't get back and then you have all that power going through an open diff unless you throw even more money at it on top of the mandatory wider wheels. Is it really worth it if the 'Gremlin' can offer it straight out of the box I wonder?

[castex]

Nice. Just don't, you know, feed it after midnight and stuff.

[anonymous-user]

Startlingly ugly, but I'd still have one, just maybe without the stickers, and in another colour.

[the_hood]

The plasticky dashboard would put me off.

[Kolbenkopp]

castex said:

Nice. Just don't, you know, feed it after midnight and stuff.

Oh. Now I see what happened. Only way to explain the styling .

Edited by Kolbenkopp on Friday 10th March 02:10

[Kolbenkopp]

gweaver said:

It's looking promising for the Fiesta ST, Yaris & Swift Sport - it'll be good to see some real competition and choice. Shame none of them is a great design..
I think they'll be quite different propositions - Swift affordable and agile; Fiesta bang for the buck; and Yaris uncompromised but pricey.

Yeah, fully agree. Good times really for hot super minis.

[Nick-ST]

Like that!

[mk2 24v]

Looks very promising, and likewise I'm glad to see a manufacturer not going down the small cc and turbo route

Is this going to be the first car that makes the most of the UK VED rates not being based on emissions? If so, i hope its a sign of things to come

[MustardCutter]

the_hood said:

The plasticky dashboard would put me off.

Not sure if serious..?
If that's not a sarcastic stab at the large PH contingent who seem to care more about pieces of interior they never touch than performance/fun, then whatcar might be more your thing .

A supercharged 1.8 could be quite tasty in a car much like the GT86. Next generation perhaps? Perhaps a bespoke chassis and not being built from bits of old impreza and forester and not with an engine designed to be turbocharged but without the turbocharger. Here's hoping Toyota get their mojo back and do more things themselves.

Edited by MustardCutter on Friday 10th March 09:07