The Yaris hasn’t really kicked it off here in Malaysia mainly because small cars from Perodua do dominate the market due to their prices. It makes cars like the Yaris feel expensive thanks to the taxes imposed and hence it hasn’t really picked up. Compared to Europe, the Yaris is everywhere.
With that Toyota is pushing it further as the model celebrates its 20th birthday. In fitting style, there will be an initial production run of 1998 Launch Edition Y20 models featuring the same gold paintwork used by the first Yaris back in 1998, but with the contemporary twist of a bi-tone dark grey roof.
The full-production Y20 models will sit at the heart of the 2019 Yaris model range, replacing the current Mid+ grade and offering a strong value proposition for customers. Standard and bi-tone versions will be available, the latter matching silver, pearl or black bodywork colours with a new dark grey finish for the roof.
The exterior styling uses dark grey features to distinguish the Y20 within the Yaris line-up. These include, 16-inch grey and machined-face 10-spoke alloy wheels, and dark grey side mouldings, front grille, door mirror casings and fog light surrounds (with chrome detailing). The Y20 also sports a shark fin antenna, colour-matched to the roof, dark-tinted rear privacy glass and special Y20 badging at the rear.
The interior extends the dark grey theme, applied to the centre console, steering wheel inserts and new chequer-pattern fabric upholstery. Satin chrome air vent, audio speaker and meter surround and gear knob trim, black carpet mats with silver edging and Y20 badging on the instrument panel and front setbacks further enhance the quality feel of the interior.
New multimedia system
The 2019 model year Yaris’ new multimedia system is in tune with people’s desire to keep connected at all times. Connectivity has become an increasingly important purchase consideration for customers and the new package will enable easy smartphone integration and access to useful, popular apps.
The operation is via a simple central touchscreen; once connected, selected smartphone contents can be viewed and accessed using the screen. Functionality will be extended over time to enable access to other third-party apps.
The system has a clear and simple hardware and HMI design. It can be used to provide smartphone-enabled route navigation and is able to respond to voice commands, via a new microphone and a dedicated button on the head unit, with least driver distraction. The touchscreen will also respond to familiar multi-touch gestures, such as screen flicking and pinching in/out.
