Toyota Yaris Hybrid first drive
As of June 16, the Yaris Hybrid rolls on our roads. The first full hybrid small car delivers a very different answer to the question of saving as the Spartan entry-level model. Who wants to drive him?
The Japanese with the power of two hearts is not to be had. Even the basic features of the ever-door hybrids, dual-zone automatic climate control, height-adjustable driver's seat, electric mirrors, central locking, power windows are in front and height and include longitudinally-adjustable steering wheel and full safety equipment with ESP (VSC by Toyota), ABS and seven airbags. This is the hybrid cheaper than many downsized gasoline or diesel engine in its class. Moreover, the Japanese have given plenty of effort, so the driver can already document by the outside world that he belongs to the avant-saving. For the hybrid-exclusive paintwork in Pearl White Toyota in the French manufacturing site specifically introduced a new production process that reflects on Amsterdam's canals, a silky shine.
The counterpart of the soft coating is the greedy-looking cooling air supply through the massive grill. This looks in the rearview mirror is not for small cars. However. The first one is not bad: In city traffic, the very light steering makes parking easier, the taut suspension tuning keeps good balance between comfort and road contact. Outside the City, the tax gives too little feeling for the road; the Yaris is stalking through streets whose final asphalting back is a bit longer. This indeed is never anything really uncomfortable - but the old automaker's wisdom "run length" is simply not to speak with a longer wheelbase than its predecessor by around 2.5 meters expires. The Yaris Hybrid is just a small car.
But he also brings all the tricks of the mini-cars - despite the challenge, two engines and the heavy battery pack to 3.9 meters to accommodate shortly. The revised 1.5-liter petrol engine is now a much lighter and more compact electric motor as the Auris Hybrid to the side. With inverter and battery is 20 percent lighter - and still brings strong 100 horsepower, the Yaris hybrid drive short distances on electric power.
Toyota has also made the nickel-metal hydride battery at 11 kilograms lighter, thus the battery fits under the rear seat. The same luggage compartment volume, same as in the normal variability Yaris are in it. And thanks to the good position of the heavy batteries in the middle of the vehicle, the Hybrid is as safe as its single-engine brother.
The 20 percent more weight in the operation of the driver feels surprisingly little - and even the odd tough acceleration in Prius, the technicians have almost given up the small hybrids. At least in city driving. The variable drive is of course no, but he brings the Yaris in 11.8 seconds at 100 mph, 165 km / h up to it. But more important are the four seconds it takes for the hybrid from zero to 50 mph. urban transports in so little joy Toyota - and the silent electric rollers fascinated in miniature.
The promised 3.5 liters in the combined super are also great - 3.1 in city traffic thanks to the electric-drive but currently unbeatable. On the test drive we have in the crowd of Rotterdam, but this value approached only when the accelerator pedal was kicked disturbed reefs instead.
With just over four liters of fuel consumption, the driver should pay for itself - even if he curbs his temper. But this is a problem that the tech-saving champion with downsizing gasoline engines and many high-torque diesel mini-shares. The weakest link in saving drive concept is the driver. The official 79 grams of CO2 per kilometer ensure the Yaris but some environmental awards.
Compared to its predecessor - the did not yet exist as a hybrid - but the new Yaris has already deserved praise: The interior of the Japanese have consistently and successfully developed. At the rear seats can be even greater now settle Grown for the trip to the movies or to dinner fairly pleasant. The former is longitudinally slid able rear seat, however, it no longer - which may regret some previous Yaris drivers.
It has something to do with the hybrid battery. Not likely to miss those interested the middle speedometer. To the right of the conventional instruments before the driver sits the highly recommended multimedia system with 6.1-inch touch screen. It is easy to use, integrated radio, Bluetooth hands-free system, rearview camera, a navigation system.
From Version Life it is standard in the Yaris hybrid "Life." Since the living room is enhanced already by leather covers for steering wheel and shift knob, the luggage compartment floor has two heights adjustable rear lights feature LED technology, a wireless remote control central locking. The medium variant, we highly recommend that too. Because the 16-inch alloy wheels top version of the club eat more fuel, the CO2 emissions rise. And that fits into a lifestyle not a high-tech saver.
