The Toyota Yaris had a tough act to follow as a successor to the highly regarded Starlet supermini, so the new model was resolutely modern in appearance and application of the latest technologies. Developed for a global audience, the platform and major components of Yaris were all-new and capitalised on the prevailing trends for downsizing and cost-cutting while simultaneously improving quality, environmental performance and vehicle longevity. Let us take you on a journey as we explore the Toyota Yaris history.
Toyota Yaris history: first generation
The Toyota Yaris history actually begins in the 20th Century (just!). Taking its design language directly from the Toyota Funtime concept (above) first displayed at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, the production car made its show debut at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. After being released to the Asian market as the Toyota Vitz in January 1999, the rest of the world received the car in a series of staggered launches. It arrived as the Toyota Yaris in Europe in April 1999, the Toyota Echo in Australasia in October 1999, and finally in North America in late 2003.
The European-specification Toyota Yaris was only ever available in either three- or five-door hatchback body styles, though the adaptable platform also spawned coupe and saloon derivatives for other markets. Designed at Toyota’s ED2 studio in France, Yaris was stylish, characterful and purposely European in flavour, with a relatively tall, spacious and organically shaped body built around the central design concept of the human dimension.
This meant a radical rethink of the interior layout, including the central positioning of a digital instrument cluster to reduce the time and effort taken to refocus the driver’s eyes from the road. Safety measures were also excellent and its environmental performance was among the best in its class.
All launch models were supplied with a new 1SZ-FE 998cc 16v four-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing that produced 67bhp and 50+mpg fuel consumption. Nicknamed the ‘Mighty Atom’ for its ability to deliver power equivalent to a traditional 1.4-litre engine, the unit (below) was voted the world’s best in the inaugural International Engine of the Year Award.
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