The History Of Toyota Belta

This article is about the Yaris sedan, for the Yaris hatchback, see Toyota Vitz

The Toyota Belta (referred to in North American and Australian markets as the Toyota Yaris sedan or Toyota Vios in South Asian markets) is a subcompact sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It is basically a redesigned and sportier version of the discontinued Toyota Platz, and is similar to the Toyota Vitz. The Belta went on sale in 2006 equipped with 1.0 to 1.3 L engines (in Japan), and in 2007 in North America equipped with a 1.5 L I4. In an effort to boost sales and gain popularity among youths, Toyota has created a MySpace profile of its North American Yaris/ Belta vehicle as part of its advertising campaign.

The Vitz and the Belta share underpinnings with each other. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's European design studios, the Belta was designed at Toyota's Japanese design studios – two completely different design projects for similar cars marketed toward different demographics. While the outgoing Vitz and Platz models look and feel virtually alike (the only things the cars do not share is the front clip, lights, rear doors, and bodies from behind the B-pillar), the new Vitz and Belta are much more subtly related. Sharing a similar but different dashboard, they do not employ the same components. The cars only share a frame and the drivetrain options. The sheetmetal is completely different. The Belta has increased in size over the previous generation, its interior volume larger than the 2001-2008 generation Toyota Corolla.

The Canadian version of the Yaris sedan, which is simply called the Yaris, is based on the American Yaris S with power and all-weather guard packages, but with standard 14inch wheels. Option packages comes in one of B, C, D, or Aero packages. The B adds 15inch all-season tires, chrome trim on the decklid, front and rear splash guards, colour-keyed door handles, blacked-out side window frames, keyless entry and power door locks; the C adds ABS, air conditioning, power windows, colour-keyed mirrors and power mirrors; the D adds both side and side-curtain airbags; the Aero adds aluminum alloy wheels, wheel locks, a rear spoiler, and a body kit. The Aero, however, has neither air conditioning nor side airbags. The Canadian model lacks the two-tone interior, pseudo-metallic trim on the door panels, and the new audio system controls (instead it uses an old design) found on the Japanese and American models.

The American Yaris is similar to the version sold in Canada, but differs in trim and equipment details. The CE, LE, and RS packages in the Canadian hatchback cars are replaced by the more modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages. The Yaris Sedan is also available as the Yaris S, which has standard convenience and appearance packages. The power package on the Yaris Sedan offers alloy wheels as an option. Curtain airbags are optional.

The 2007 Yaris received EPA fuel economy ratings of 6 L/ 100km (40 miles per gallon) on the highway and 7 L/ 100km (34 miles per gallon) in the city, with a fuel tank capacity of 42 litres (11.1gallons).

However, because the EPA changed the way they calculate fuel economy, ratings were revised for the 2008 model year and the Yaris is now rated at 29 city/ 36 mpg highway for the manual transmission, and 29 city/ 35 mpg highway for the automatic version.

For the 2009 model year, all Yaris sedans will get updated styling with a new grill, new wheel cover/ alloy designs/ new interior fabric, available leather wrapped steering wheel/ shift knob, satellite radio, and standard side/ sude curtain airbags & Anti-Lock Brakes

Standard safety features include airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, and head restraints for all seating positions. Side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and ABS are optional on 2007-2008 models. Beginning in 2009, front and rear row side curtain airbags along with front seat-mounted torso side airbags and ABS became standard. Stability control is unavailable on all models.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings

Frontal Impact:

Side Impact: (no side airbags)

Side Impact: (w/ side airbags)

Rollover:

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Yaris received a Good overall score in the frontal crash test and a Good overall score in the side impact test on models equipped with side airbags but a Poor overall score on models without side airbags.

• Car of the Year 2007, "Mil Autos" Magazine, Chile.

Toyota has announced that the Yaris will be redesigned for the 2011 model year on the Toyota iQ's platform.