Toyota Yaris Cross, a new domestic car, a new entry-level off-road combat power, debuts on 9/28

●9/28 Officially published and listed

●Single 1.5-liter NA four-cylinder gasoline engine

●Three grades, standard equipment for all TSS models

●The estimated selling price is 700,000 to 850,000 yuan

Toyota Yaris, which once set off a wave of small hatchbacks in Taiwan and has been the sales champion for many years, was impacted by the popularity of off-road travel and changes in consumer preferences. The domestic product life span is as long as 17 years. The new car that will inherit the original status of Yaris in the future has already been determined to be the Yaris Cross small cross-border SUV with Asia-Pacific specifications, and it is expected to launch another shocking bomb in the market.

Back in 2006, Hotai introduced the second-generation version of the Toyota Yaris small hatchback, with a price starting at RMB 499,000. It has two advantages, a good brand reputation and strong product strength, and it immediately became a popular car buyer in the domestic market. At the same time, it also drives many brands to invest in this class. In addition to the Suzuki Swift in the same period, new cars such as Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, and Mitsubishi Colt Plus have also joined the battle, gradually changing the past car buying behavior dominated by four-door sedans.

Then in 2012, in line with the original factory strategy, it was changed to Asia-Pacific specifications, which was also deeply loved by consumers. However, as the market gradually shifts to SUVs, Crossovers and other off-road vehicles, not only the four-door sedans that were once popular for a while are hit hard, but the market for small hatchbacks is also shrinking. Even if Yaris can still sell a certain amount every month, considering that the new generation of Yaris adopts the TNGA platform, the increase in manufacturing costs will significantly increase the car price. Therefore, Hotai Motors finally decided to stop production of the Yaris model, which has been sold in Taiwan for 17 years, and replace it with the Asia-Pacific Yaris Cross small crossover SUV that uses the DNGA platform as the successor model.

The Asia-Pacific specification Indonesia is the first to publish

The Asia-Pacific Yaris Cross will be released in Indonesia at the end of June 2023. It offers two power options: 1.5-liter gasoline engine and Hybrid gasoline-electric hybrid. The gasoline version includes G, S and GR Sport models, and the gasoline-electric version includes Hybrid and GR Sport models. . In terms of price, the price of the entry-level 1.5G is equivalent to about NT$721,000, and the price of the top-spec gasoline-electric GR Sport model is about NT$924,000.

Unlike the Japanese and European standards, the Asia-Pacific Yaris Cross does not use the TNGA-B platform, but adopts the cheap platform DNGA-B developed by Daihatsu. The body length, width and height are 4,310mm, 1,770mm, and 1,615mm respectively. 2,620mm. Compared with the 4,180mm, 1,765mm, 1,590mm of the European and Japanese standards, and the wheelbase of 2,560mm, it is slightly enlarged, and even the wheelbase is only 20mm shorter than that of the Corolla Cross. It can be expected that the practicality of the interior space of the car should have a good performance.

The Yaris Cross entry model 1.5G sold in Indonesia is equipped with a 17-inch aluminum rim, a 7-inch digital instrument, a 9-inch center console screen, and an electronic handbrake. As for Toyota Safety Sense, which is the TSS active safety protection technology, it will only be equipped on models above the S grade. In addition to TSS, the 1.5S model also has an induction tailgate, electrically adjustable seats and steering wheel shift paddles. The Hybrid model is also replaced with a 10.1-inch center console screen and a panoramic sunroof. GR Sport models provide GR kits, including body exterior aerodynamic kits, as well as interior decorations such as racing seats, floor mats, steering wheels, etc., bringing more sporty car purchase options.

Four cylinder naturally aspirated engine

Since the Asia-Pacific Yaris Cross uses the DNGA platform, no matter the 1.5-liter model or the Hybrid model, it is equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated "4-cylinder" gasoline engine instead of a common 3-cylinder engine on new-generation models. The gasoline version of the 2NR-VE 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine is equipped with a Dual VVT-i intelligent variable valve timing system, coupled with a CVT continuously variable transmission system, which can output 104 horsepower and 14 kgm torque. In addition, the 1.5G model also has a 5-speed manual option.

The gasoline-electric version is equipped with a 2NR-VEX 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine with an output of 91 horsepower and a torque of 12.3 kgm, matched with an electric motor with a torque of 80 horsepower and a torque of 14.4 kgm. Only a CVT continuously variable transmission system is provided, and the combined horsepower It is 109 horses.

Estimated combat power of Taiwan market

Hotai Automobile has officially confirmed in July that it will introduce the Yaris Cross with the Asia-Pacific specification. Although the power specification has not yet been released, according to the dealers, the first wave only provides 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine power, and there is no 1.5-liter engine for the time being. Hybrid petrol-electric hybrid, it is estimated that there will be three models of elegance, classic and luxury, and the GR Sport model in the Indonesian market may not be launched together.

Judging from the Asia-Pacific specifications released by Indonesia, the power output is roughly 104 horsepower and 14 kgm torque. There is no news about the price yet, but some clues can still be seen in the consolidation and adjustment of a series of Hetai products. In addition to Sienta's 710,000 yuan entry-level model that will be discontinued in June 2023, Corolla Cross will also cease production of its 805,000 yuan entry-level model in the same month, raising the starting price of the model to 850,000 yuan.

Therefore, it can be speculated that the price of the Yaris Cross is likely to start at 700,000 yuan, and the top model is roughly around 850,000 yuan, which is equivalent to NT$721,000 to NT$860,000 for the 1.5-liter gasoline version in the Indonesian market. The price of Yuan is quite close, and most of the competitors at the same level are also in this range.

In terms of equipment, domestic safety awareness has improved, and TNCAP collision tests have also allowed major car manufacturers to continue to improve the active and passive safety equipment levels of their products. It is speculated that all Yaris Cross models will be equipped with TSS active safety protection technology. However, whether mid-to-high-end equipment such as panoramic sunroof, induction electric tailgate, and 10.1-inch center console screen will be equipped, we still have to wait for further information to be clear. What is certain is that with the introduction of the Yaris Cross, the existing ecology of the small cross-border travel market is bound to face a reshuffle, and even align with other small-scale products to have a major impact.