Toyota Vitz
| Toyota Vitz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Also called | Toyota Yaris |
| Production | 1998–present |
| Assembly | China: Guangzhou France: Valenciennes Indonesia: Karawang Japan: Kanegasaki, Iwate; Ōbu, Aichi Taiwan: Zhongli[1] Thailand: Chachoengsao |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact Supermini car |
| Related | Toyota Platz/Echo (1999–2005) Toyota Belta/Yaris Sedan (2005–) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Toyota Starlet |
The Toyota Vitz is a line of three- and five-door hatchback subcompact cars produced since 1998 by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Now in its third generation, the name "Toyota Vitz" has been used consistently in Japan, with most international markets receiving the same vehicle under the Toyota Yaris name, or formerly as theToyota Echo in some markets for the first generation. The Toyota Vitz is available in Japan from Toyota's Netz Store line of dealerships.
As of 2010, the first two generations had achieved in excess of 3.5 million sales in over 70 countries, including more than 1.4 million in Japan.
First Generation (XP10; 1998–2005)
| First generation (XP10) | |
|---|---|
_3-door_hatchback_(2010-12-28).jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Toyota Echo Toyota Yaris FAW Xiali Vizi |
| Production | 1998–2005 2002–2012 (China) |
| Assembly | China: Guangzhou[3] France: Valenciennes[4] Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Takaoka plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Toyota NBC platform |
| Related | Toyota Fun Cargo Toyota Platz |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.0 L 1SZ-FE I4 1.3 L 2NZ-FE I4 1.3 L 2SZ-FE I4 1.4 L 1ND-TV I4 (t/c diesel) 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4 (gasoline) 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4 (t/c gasoline) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 1998–2001: 3,615 mm (142.3 in) 2001–2005: 3,640 mm (143.3 in) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65.4 in) |
| Height | 1,510 mm (59.4 in) |
The first generation XP10 series Toyota Vitz was designed by Sotiris Kovos[5] at Toyota's ED2 studio in Europe.[6]Production began in late 1998,[7] with a Japanese on-sale date of January 1999; European sales commenced two months later as the "Toyota Yaris".[5] When introduced to Australasia in October 1999, the "Toyota Echo" name was used,[8] as was the case in Canada when released there in 2003.[9] The "Echo" and "Yaris" names were also given to the export version of the related Japanese market Toyota Platz sedan,[5] also available as a coupe in North America.[10] Often sold alongside the hatchback and marketed as a single line of vehicles, exterior panels common between the Vitz and Platz were restricted to the front doors.[5] However, as Vitz and Platz were designed using the same platform, the mechanicals are largely identical and both share a common dashboard module.[10] There was also a "Yaris Verso" or "Echo Verso" variant sold in some export markets from late 1999, based on the Japanese "Toyota Fun Cargo". The Verso MPV utilizes the same running gear as the Vitz, but features a more spacious interior.
At its introduction in 1998, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award.
| Organization | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANCAP |   |
| Euro NCAP | |
| UCSR | |
What became the XP10 series was shown earlier in concept form at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. This concept, titled "Funtime" was developed under the leadership of Shuhei Toyoda, who also commissioned two additional models based on the same platform: the "Funcoupe" and the "Funcargo", the predecessor to the forthcoming production model Fun Cargo. Styled in Brussels by Toyota’s European Office of Creation (EPOC), the "Fun project" as it was known, was envisaged to underline the versatility of shared platform engineering. These concept vehicles morphed into theNew Basic Car (NBC) program, with each separate NBC model designated a number, NBC1 in the case of the Vitz three-door.[5] The name Vitz is the phonetic Anglicized spelling of the German word Witz which means "wit" (however, its principal meaning in contemporary German is "joke"). Toyota claims the contrived name Yaris is "intended to convey a European impression", while Echo "is intended to Echo nothing."[5]
Instead of conventional analogue instruments, the Vitz utilized digital instruments which were mounted in a "pod" in the center of the dashboard. When sales commenced in the Canadian market this was not the case, with Toyota opting to fit a conventional speedometer, still mounted in the center of the dashboard.
In 2003 the facelifted 'Phase 2' Vitz was released with different bumpers and 'teardrop' front lights.
Euro NCAP crash tested the dual-airbag equipped XP10 series in 2000, rating the car 29 out of 37 for adult occupant protection, or four out of five stars. The pedestrian rating (pre-2002) is 13 points or two of out of four stars.[11] In July 2004, ANCAP tested the XP10 with only a driver's airbag fitted, resulting in a 23.64 out of 37 grading, or three out of five stars.[12] The 2010 edition of Monash University's Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), found that the XP10 provides a "poor" (two out of five stars) level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident.
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