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2007 Toyota Yaris CE Liftback on carlist.com
21st century mini-me-Chinook
Mark Stretch Batchelor
Driving the 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback five speed manual subcompact reminded me of my 34 vintage years past '74 Toyota Chinook.
Odd? Comparing Toyota's recently introduced to North American version of the European and Japanese 'car of the year' to a 30 plus year old Toyota piggy back fiberglass pop-up camper? Hmmm.
But wait
Buzz words, keywords, slang, all point to the same human experience of intuitive awareness of synergistic communication. Less is more. The military's KISS acronym.
The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback, $11,xxx US dollar, focus grouped analyzed, globally proven hit. Yes, yes and yes but why can the T-beasts replacement for the Echo simply feel like a camper, commuter, cargo hauler, round-a-bout vehicle?
It all starts underneath
Any harmonized object, both incarnate and inanimate begins with its skelton or frame. The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback responds solid and neutral
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2007 Toyota Yaris CE Liftback on carlist.com
to driver steering. High-tensile steel chassis with a new "L-arm MacPherson" front and rear torsion beam struts and "hydroformed" rear torsion beam eliminating the need for an anti-roll bar.
Responsive, enjoyable driving characteristics
The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback has the Scion xB 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and Toyota's marketing phrase "intelligence," i.e. (VVT-i).
It reaches 106 hp @ 6,000 rpm with 103 lbs of torque @ 4,200 rpm.
The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback I drove has an evenly sequenced gear five-speed manual transmission. The powerplant is matched with the transmission, i.e. one doesn't have to go to redline to generate usable driving horsepower and torque.
EPA mpg for the five speed manual is 34/40 city/highway and 34/39 for the four speed automatic with the Ultra-Low Emission vehicle (ULEV II) emission standard.
Cabin space, occupants and cargo
The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback has an easy to read hooded overhang center dash instrument
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2007 Toyota Yaris CE Liftback on carlist.com
display like Toyota's retiring Echo model. Radio/CD player sits above wonderfully large ribbed knobbidge climate controls with standard air conditioning. Double glove compartment-like storage and a unique foldout cupholder on the front of the dash below the front vents.
The camper Chinook similarities begin when the 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback rear seats are folded FLAT delivering a striking almost 13 cubic feet of hauling/camping space.
Once the second row seats are level the cargo area seems like an Escape. Toyota's ingenious mechanical simplicity of permitting the rear seats rolling fwd when the back is folded to permit the flat cargo area is commendable. As equally stunning as Dodge's Caravan flat van like cargo area with seat retraction into the floor.
MSRP and Options
The 2007 Toyota Yaris CE liftback MSRP is $11,850. Pricing options include, pilot and copilot front side airbags and side curtains, ($650,) anti-lock brakes, ($300) and a cold area package, ($110.)
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2007 Toyota Yaris CE Liftback on carlist.com
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