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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 APRIL 2016 II Motoring Toyota Yaris – More than just a pretty face LAUNCHED four years ago with the intention to maneu- ver into Europe's overcrowded roads, the 2016 Toyota Yaris has been relaunched with sharper styling, a cleaner dashboard design and some tech specs and frills inherited from its sister, the Toyota Aygo. But is it just a pretty face? This Japanese subcompact hatchback prioritizes manoeuvrability and effi- ciency whilst boasting a large boot. The shape has evolved into a taller yet still proportionate shape, which enhances the sculpted hood design from last year. A large Toyota emblem surrounded by brightwork sits in the centre of a larger, trapezoidal grille with new black mesh design texturing, giving the Yaris' front end a bold and aggressive look. This is further enhanced with an Eclipse Black metallic 'wrap-around roof' finish. In its original shape, the Yaris stood out for its exceptional interior space. So one expects the same roominess in today's model. And owners will not be disappointed. There is plenty of legroom at the front and also a generous amount of legroom at the rear seats, achieved by Toyta's effort to keep the floor totally flat for all three passengers on the back seat. Meanwhile, the boot is claimed to be 25% larger than previ- ous versions, adding up to 286 litres. If you fold down the 60/40-split rear seats, the space increases to 768 litres. The dashboard is dominated by a seven- inch touchscreen, being the viewing hub of the new Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system. The menus of the new system are straightforward, practical and intui- tive to follow. The system also includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a USB connection. While retaining the conven- tional set up for the rest of the dashboard, the improved look and texture of the materials used in the Yaris gives the dashboard a softer feel. A navigation system is avail- able on all Yaris models as an option. With a combined fuel con- sumption figure of 55mpg, the 1.33Ltr Dual VVT-i 6MT petrol is one of the quietest engines we have tested. The smooth four-cylinder engine that's quiet and refined at idle, is married to a six- speed manual gearbox providing light but positive shifting. It delivers 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds. It delivers 99BHP against a CO2 emission value of 119g/ km. An automatic gearbox is also available with a 0-62mph sprint at 12.6 seconds. One of the improved areas is the firmer suspension, stiffer body and softer springs. As it was never meant to be the sporty kind, the Yaris has quite a direct steering and not much body roll, making the car steady and stable in corners and turns. This makes the car a fun drive on open roads whilst still able to handle the city's speed bumps. The entry level Yaris is the three-door version, but the car is also available in five-door. The five-door Sport ver- sion we tested comes with 16" alloy wheels, projector headlights, chrome surrounded front fog lamps, tyre pres- sure warning, heated and electrically adjusted mirrors, reversing camera, vehicle stability control, ABS, traction control, nine airbags, rear LED lights, rear spoiler, disc brakes and DAB. The sports version is available in black, blue, red, white, silver and grey body trims. All told, the 2016 Toyota Yaris brings a package that is nicer, more modern and more fun to drive than its predeces- sors, which should keep owners happy providing them with more than simply a new prettier face. It is a sensible choice, with a strong reliability history, lots of safety equipment, and a practical and spacious cabin for both people and their luggage. The new 2016 Toyota Yaris is avail- able locally from Michael Debono Ltd, with prices starting from €14,895. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MANGION TEST DRIVE maltatoday