Fast Car

Sales of the Toyota Yaris (called Vitz in Japan) took a header last year in the American market, dropping almost 40 percent over 2009, which was one of the worst sales years in forever. To say that Toyota needs to give its small car some love is an understatement, and that makes the U.S. debut of the new 2012 Toyota Yaris all the more important . “We need to stand out more,” says deputy chief engineer Yoshinari Toyomura. “That is one reason why the new Yaris has grown in size and taken on an edgier look compared to its predecessor.” Recently, we had a chance to check out the Japanese-spec version of the new car, and we immediately saw what Toyomura meant. The new B-segment bigwig is 3.5 inches longer with a wheelbase that gains 2 inches. Toyota is hoping the new car’s more aggressive edges will appeal to a larger audience (read: males). The car does feel bigger, but the company’s efforts to minimize costs while improving packaging are met with mixed results. The engine lineup gets new versions of the 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter gas variants as well as a revised 1.4-liter diesel for Europe (expect the 1.5-liter version to continue as the base engine for the U.S., although a 1.8-liter and a hybrid model are also rumored). The highlight of the lineup is undoubtedly the car we tested: the 1.3-liter Smart-Stop Package. Taking just 0.35 seconds to restart after seamlessly cutting the engine at idle, the smart-stop works to improve fuel economy by some 2 mpg, thus achieving 61.5 mpg in the Japanese mpg cycle. But the start-stop is only offered on the 1.3-liter due to its hefty $700 price tag. More strikingly, VSC and TRC traction controls, which are standard on the 1.3-liter version, are not even offered as options on other models, although we’re guessing that will change for the U.S. market version. Tuned for optimum fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the 1.3-liter was adequate but by no means quick. Mated to a revised CVT, it pulled sufficiently from around 2000 rpm and stayed strong enough through the mid-ranges — we think, because our car did not have a tachometer. We expect the five-speed manual and a tach to continue to be offered in the U.S. Although it’s unclear if the CVT will come stateside, we wouldn’t bet against it, especially given the aging four-speed automatic on the present car. To keep up with rivals, the Yaris has stiffened body rigidity, a more compliant ride, and a better weighted, more responsive steering feel. While the new Yaris is more spacious, handles better than the old model, and looks considerably smarter, it’s been shortchanged on a few interior elements, and performance is middling at best. It’ll need those missing toys to stand out from the crowd when it arrives here, reportedly later this year

Acura has announced plans to introduce the 2012 TSX Special Edition at the Orange County International Auto Show on September 22nd.



The 2012 Acura TSX Special Edition Package adds a new front spoiler, a new rear bumper fascia, side sills and an ‘Special Edition’ badge on the trunklid. It also adds 17×7.5-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels with dark gray background.



The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine remains, producing 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Both manual and automatic transmissions are offered.

Inside, Acura has pumped up the interior with black suede inserts on the seats thats contrasted by red stitching. More of the red color makes its way to the steering wheel and shift knob, as well as the lighting of the gauges, footwell and cabin. That footwell area also see the addition of aluminum pedal covers.











Press Release



Acura Announces Special Edition Model for TSX Sports Sedan



Exterior and Interior Upgrades Make for an Even Sportier TSX



08/29/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Continuing the celebration of its 25th anniversary, Acura today announced the availability of a new version of the popular TSX sports sedan for the 2012 model year. Designed to evoke the fun-to-drive 4-cylinder Acuras of the past, the TSX Special Edition will add even more sportiness to the TSX lineup thanks to numerous exterior and interior upgrades for Acuras entry-level sedan.



"The Acura TSX has long been known for its high-revving 4-cylinder engines and sporty driving nature," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "With the new Special Edition, the TSX becomes even more youthful and sporty in character, furthering its appeal to performance-minded buyers."



The 2012 TSX Special Edition package consists of numerous upgrades to the exterior including a more aggressive front spoiler, a new rear bumper fascia, unique side sills and an exclusive "Special Edition" badge on the trunklid. Finally, the TSXs 17x7.5-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels will feature a polished finish with dark grey background, unique to the Special Edition model.



Inside, the TSX Special Edition makes use of sport-minded appointments including exclusive seating surfaces with perforated black Lux Suede® inserts with red backing. Unique red stitching, used for the seats, steering wheel and the shift knob, combines with red lighting for the instrument cluster gauges, overhead lighting and footwell lighting. Adding more appeal to the drivers footwell are aluminum pedal covers with a race-inspired look. Rounding out the Special Editions interior upgrades is the use of bright silver plating for the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters along with black headliner material (standard TSX have grey headliner material).



The TSX Special Edition package makes use of Acuras acclaimed K24 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and will be available with either the close-ratio 6-speed manual or Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmissions. The TSX Special Edition will go on sale in late September and will make its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show on September 22nd.