Today we’ll check out the 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with the automatic transmission and all the mechanical features on the Yaris.
The 2011 Toyota Yaris is front-wheel-drive configuration and is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with 16 valves and variable valve timing (VVT-i) and produces 106 hp and 103 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed Electronically Controlled automatic (ECT) available as an option. Independent testing saw the Yaris with an automatic transmission go from 0 to reach 60 mph in 10.7 seconds, which is on the slow side relative to the competition. Denver drivers may prefer the manual transmission Yaris which is a little peppier.
The outstanding fuel economy is the strong point of the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris with the manual transmission gets an EPA estimated 29/36 mpg city/highway, and with the automatic it gets 29/35 mpg city/highway. The stingy Yaris is in the upper fuel mileage range compared to the rest of the competition. The Yaris Liftback has a low coefficient of drag at 0.29 which helps lower the wind resistance and increases fuel economy at highway speeds.
The Yaris is built in Japan and none of the models were included in Toyota’s unintended-acceleration recalls for sticking gas pedals or floormat interference. All Toyotas are getting an electronic override system that gives priority to the brakes if both the brake and accelerator are being applied. Starting with 2011 vehicles, Toyotas says all its cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans will have the system, including Yaris.
The Yaris comes standard with P175/65R14 radial tires on 14-inch steel wheels and the brakes are ventilated discs in the front and drums in the rear. P185/60R15 tires and steel wheels are available as an option along with the All-Weather package that includes a larger window washer tank, heavy duty heater, heavy duty starter, and a rear heater duct. This is a must option for Denver drivers in the the winter.
The Yaris rides on an independent MacPherson strut suspension and stabilizer bar in the front, and a torsion beam rear suspension. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) power-assisted rack-and-pinion helps increase fuel mileage by eliminating a power-sapping hydraulic pump and it can be tuned for a specific feel.
The Yaris is designed with an extremely rigid structure. Toyota engineers used braces and crossmembers to offset vibration and several types of undercoatings and damping materials were applied to reduce noise. Rough roads, railroad tracks and potholes are certainly felt but are pleasantly muted by the solid integrity of the chassis.
Tomorrow we’ll take the Yaris out for test drive and see how it handles on the highway and mountain roads west of Denver.
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