For Toyota, the design philosophy is a "series of apparent paradoxes that work together to reconcile contrasting design forces," including

-"perfect imbalance -- a sense of controlled risk"

-"symbolic simplicity -- the clear expression of each design concept,"
and

-"freeform geometrics -- a challenge to the belief that crisply expressed surfaces cannot have a powerful emotional impact."

The Yaris that you'll be able to buy in Canada is the "first tangible form" of that philosophy.

For this reason and others, says Wearing, "Yaris becomes the ideal new entrant to raise the bar once again, and set a new standard in the

(Photo: Toyota Canada)

popular segment thanks to its dynamic exterior styling, roomy and chic interior, precise handling, class-leading safety features and outstanding fuel economy."

Toyota Canada expects to "redefine the expectations of owners in this highly competitive segment," says Wearing. "Traditionally, subcompacts compromised style and performance in order to provide basic functionality at an affordable price. Toyota listened when target owners expressed their desire of wanting a small vehicle for practical reasons, but not wishing to own "sub" anything. The Yaris breaks free of this constraint and is clearly a subcompact that is anything but 'sub'."

As a result, Wearing believes, Yaris will have "enormous appeal for trend-setting owners who demand a vehicle that expresses their personality without compromising style, quality and handling. Extroverted and active, these are well-educated, technologically savvy consumers who use their access to information to make knowledgeable purchase decisions based on their unique tastes and needs."

Three new colors -- copper orange mica, bayou blue metallic, and blazing

(Photo: Toyota Canada)

blue metallic -- will help Yaris appeal to those sophisticated buyers, Wearing says.

Wearing is also enthusiastic about the suspension in the new Yaris, as it features a new L-arm MacPherson strut front suspension and a new rear suspension with a highly rigid torsion beam for "excellent turning and straight-line" stability. Shocks with a newly developed valve ensure smooth damping characteristics, he says, "and the total effect is a driving experience that can be exhilarating without losing its composure."

Toyota is also hoping to take advantage of the fact that many of their prospective customers "tend to be highly net-savvy" by offering them a chance to build their "dream Yaris using the accessory configurator at www.toyota.ca and look at the results, inside and out, from a full 360 degrees."


Photo Credit : Toyota Canada