Stunning new Toyota Yaris Sedan arrives in the UAE

Following on from the launch of the Yaris Hatchback at the end of 2005, this new car further strengthens Toyota's product offering in the compact passenger car segment, and will reinforce the brand's market leadership in the UAE.

Mr. Colin Leitch, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors, announced that the Yaris Sedan replaces the popular Toyota Echo, of which over 65,000 have been sold in the GCC since its launch in 1999. The Echo is highly valued by motorists for its roomy interior, reliability, low running costs, build quality and strong residual values.

The keywords in the development and design of the new Yaris Sedan were that it should be a 'Global Small Stylish Saloon'. Colin Leitch identified that "The challenge for Toyota was to design a compact car that would deliver on all the rational and practical needs of motorists, but at the same time provide them with a car with a feeling of style, space and refinement. And that is exactly what the Toyota design team and engineers have achieved".

Tony Barlow, General Manager - Sales & Marketing, Al-Futtaim Motors, commented, "We are very excited to add the new Yaris Sedan to our model range, and provide even more choice to our customers. I believe that the Yaris Sedan now sets new benchmarks for stylish, compact sedans and will raise customer expectations in this segment of the market."

In line with the sustained economic growth of the UAE, the market for compact cars is continuing to expand. Many buyers in this segment are aged 20- 30 years, a percentage of the population that is growing, and for many it will be their first car. These buyers naturally want a car that is affordable, reliable and fuel efficient. But they increasingly also want a car with a stylish, advanced design, that is easy and fun to drive.

The Yaris Sedan, like the Hatchback, is a car that is easy and fun to drive, with a stylish and sporty design. Its longer and wider wheelbase creates a surprisingly spacious interior that would normally be expected only in larger size cars. This provides excellent head, shoulder and legroom for the driver and passengers to travel in comfort. Although it is larger, it has a class- leading turning circle, which makes the car easy to maneuver and park, and the ideal partner for city driving.

The Yaris Sedan's exterior styling is complemented by the simple and elegant design of the interior, which combines practicality with a quality and refined feel, normally associated with larger cars. The boot offers one of the largest load carrying capacities in its class, and the 60: 40 split foldable rear seats provide further load carrying versatility. Of key importance for the UAE climate, the Sedan has a new air conditioning system, for enhanced driver and passenger comfort.

Both the Yaris Sedan and Hatchback, have a responsive 1.3 litre, 4 cylinder VVTi petrol engine, which delivers excellent driving performance, quietness, economy and low emissions. Available with a choice of automatic or manual transmissions, the engine produces 84 horsepower and produces impressive low and mid range torque for practical driving performance. The Sedan has new speed-sensing electric power steering that provides improved responsiveness and control, coupled with a new suspension system that delivers a comfortable, stable ride.

The Yaris Sedan continues to deliver on the Toyota promise of providing a safe motoring experience for the driver and passengers, with driver and passenger airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, and a body that is as strong as it is stylish.

Tony Barlow added, "And of course, standard in every Yaris is the build quality, durability and reliability for which Toyota is renowned the world over, and which makes Toyota owners such a loyal and satisfied body of customers.