Toyota Belta

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Toyota Belta
Manufacturer	Toyota
Also called	Toyota Vios Toyota Yaris
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Kanegasaki, Isawa, Japan Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Predecessor	Toyota Platz
Class	Subcompact car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.5 L 106 hp I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4300 mm (169.3 in)
Width	1695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1460 mm (57.5 in)
Fuel capacity	11.1 US gallons (42 L/9 imp gal)
Related	Toyota Vitz Toyota Vios Scion xD Scion xB (2006)

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 and hatchback 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.[1]

[edit] First Generation (2006–)

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 don't 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 current 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 14 inch wheels. Option packages comes in one of B, C, D, or Aero packages. The B adds 15 inch 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 a standard convenience package. 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/100 km (40 miles per gallon) on the highway and 7 L/100 km (34 miles per gallon) in the city, with a fuel tank capacity of 42 litres (11.1 gallons).

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

[edit] Awards

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

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official American site
• Official Canadian site
• Official Mexican site
• (Japanese) Official Japanese site
• Toyota's press release of the Belta
• In depth review of the 2007 Toyota Yaris/Belta
• 2006 Toyota Belta
• Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota VIOS!