Toyota's new subcompact will use Mazda's Skyactiv engine

[mirapatec]

Having looked at the options other countries get with their Yaris, I believe the Yaris sales in the US would be much higher if those options were available here. Sadly, I feel the Yaris is an afterthought by Toyota for the US market.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Very,very, interesting. Have you heard anything from any other source re how the Yaris will end? By that I mean...Will there be a 2015 Model Year Yaris? (4th year of normal 5 in a generation)?...or...Will they just keep selling 2014 Yari until they run out of them, thus intentionally leaving a void until the new vehicle enters the pipeline?....or...?????

Haven't seen any other info on it. Time table seems odd since the 3rd gen will be 4 years old for 2015. I have to assume this model will run through '15. That would be 1 year less than a typical cycle. My guess is an all new model for the 2016 model year. I think Mazda’s version (the Mazda2) will come out one year earlier.

Originally Posted by mirapatec

Having looked at the options other countries get with their Yaris, I believe the Yaris sales in the US would be much higher if those options were available here. Sadly, I feel the Yaris is an afterthought by Toyota for the US market.

The Yaris is most certainly largely ignored by Toyota in the US. It is simply a required offering at the bottom of the lineup. It helps with the CAFE number. With no money to be made with it they just did the minimum carrying over a 3 generation old engine and transmission.

Here's a look at what the Mazda2 will look like that Toyota with be sharing with.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Haven't seen any other info on it. Time table seems odd since the 3rd gen will be 4 years old for 2015. I have to assume this model will run through '15. That would be 1 year less than a typical cycle. My guess is an all new model for the 2016 model year. I think Mazda’s version (the Mazda2) will come out one year earlier.

Thanks for the info. I hope you're right.....and that the manual transmission and the hand crank windows stay available on a 2015 USDM 3-door L.

3 generation old engine and transmission.

I realize some consumers feel this is a negative, but I feel it enhances value per dollar and reliability....two important attributes in this market segment

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Thanks for the info. I hope you're right.....and that the manual transmission and the hand crank windows stay available on a 2015 USDM 3-door L.

I'm sure a manual will still be available, although the future of manual transmissions are bleak. With automatics now more fuel efficient, and sales of manuals extremely small, automakers are pulling away from them. Even Ferrari and Lamborghini are no longer putting sticks in pure sports cars. Customers don't want them.

As for crank windows? I think their days are numbered. Although the trouble free simplicity is nice, I would never buy a car without power accessories again. My Yaris is manual and I always wish I had power.

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I realize some consumers feel this is a negative, but I feel it enhances value per dollar and reliability....two important attributes in this market segment

That's certainly a big benefit with Yaris. There's no engine/transmission combo that will out last the Yaris's, in this segment or perhaps any other.

That being said, a 4 speed just doesn't cut it anymore. Especially when 6 speeds are becoming common. They provide smoother shifting and more efficiency. That's what a majority of buyers are looking for.