The definitive version of the gorgeous exclusive Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Gran Turismo car that is to be produced in a limited edition makes its debut in Paris. The car, designed by Alfa Romeo, is directly derived from the concept car that aroused such admiration at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and has benefited from the best technical and industrial know-how that the Alfa-Maserati Sports Centre can offer. The cooperative venture between both manufacturers was conducted with a view to ensuring integration between the Alfa Romeo design departments and the Maserati production departments.
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo's glorious past, projecting its brand values of technology and emotion into the future. The historical allusions begin with the evocative name, recalling the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo. The 8C code was used to identify cars (racing and on-road) of the Thirties and Forties equipped with the revolutionary eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano. The term 'Competizione' is intended as a homage to the '6C 2500 Competizione', a sports coupé driven in 1950 by the duo Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race.
The name, '8C Competizione' is not an arbitrary invention but a distinctive mark of Alfa Romeo's own sporting history. A veritable legend that has arisen out of the innumerable victories won on circuits throughout the world through the skill of men and their passion for racing, engine research and advanced technology and a reawakened taste for new challenges.
This link with the values of Alfa Romeo's history adds extra poignancy to the term 'Competizione'; when projected into the future it represents the sense of constant dynamism that distinguishes a brand engaged in a quest for excellence, increased competitiveness and technological innovation. This is the explanation behind the role of the new car, which is not a point of arrival but a point of departure designed to reaffirm Alfa Romeo's unique place in the world: its ability to match a thrilling shape to driving satisfaction.
Sophisticated, sports stylingThe Toyota Yaris TS certainly looks the part with strong but sophisticated presence on the road to make it stand out from its rivals.
At the front, the unique black sports mesh grille with clear TS badge is a highlight and adds emphasis to the deep bumper design with integrated front fog lights. Darkened headlamp surrounds complete the effect.
At the rear, the bumper has also been redesigned with an integrated, chromed sports exhaust pipe and fog lights. The rear combination light has been changed to LED style.
Full 17 -inch alloy wheels are standard, filling the wheel arches while also offering exceptional handling and ride. The deep side skirts and roof spoiler complete the aerodynamic, TS exterior styling which achieves a drag coefficient of 0.32.
The Toyota Yaris TS will be available in a range of lively colours, including Vivid Blue, Terracotta, Black and Solid Red. There will also be one exclusive TS colour, Storm Grey.
The interior styling is equally sophisticated with exclusive trim to the sports seats and doors, alloy highlighting of air vents, leather trimmed steering wheel and unique amber lighting of the main controls.
In keeping with the sports theme, the Toyota Yaris TS features a centrally mounted analogue display of speed and engine revs.
High levels of standard equipment include manual air conditioning, CD player and radio with six speakers and tilt/telescopic adjustable steering column.
Typical options which will allow customers to further enhance their driving pleasure include automatic climate control, Toyota's Smart Keyless Entry and Push Start, plus heated driver and passenger seats and heated mirrors.
All new 1.8-litre engine
The 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i engine which powers the Toyota Yaris TS offers dual variable valve timing to control both the intake and exhaust valves.
Dual VVT-i is a significant evolution of the highly-effective VVT-i (variable valve timing - intelligent) technology already available on the current range of Toyota petrol engines. By varying the timing on both the inlet and exhaust valves, the new technology is able to offer much greater engine flexibility with more power output, more torque and lower fuel consumption.
The 1.8-litre Dual-VVT-i engine in the Toyota Yaris TS develops 132 DIN hp (97kW) at 6,000rpm with significantly higher torque of 17 3 Nm at 4,400 rpm. This means that, despite its sports driving characteristics (it will rev to 6,400 rpm), the Toyota Yaris TS is responsive to drive with excellent mid-range and open road performance.
The top speed of the Toyota Yaris TS will be 194 km/h and it will accelerate to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds.
The new 1.8 Dual VVT-i engine utilises an aluminium cylinder block and plastic intake manifold to reduce weight for improved performance and fuel consumption. Roller rocker arms, low-tension piston rings and light weight pistons further improve fuel efficiency, allowing the Toyota Yaris TS to simultaneously achieve high power excellent throttle response and good fuel economy. This new engine will be mated with a 5 speed manual transmission.
The combined fuel cycle figure for Toyota Yaris TS is 7.5 litres/100km with a CO2 output of 178 gm/km.
Sports chassis and suspension
The Toyota Yaris TS has taken the already strong Yaris platform and adapted it, under the skin, to cope with the increased power and performance. Sophisticated suspension and steering modifications ensure maximum driving pleasure and enhanced active safety without comprising refinement.
Body and suspension rigidity has been further improved with reinforcements to the front suspension members and a linking rod between the rear members.
The suspension has been lowered by 8mm for a more sporting stance and retuned springs and shock absorbers give balanced ride and handling while enhancing high speed stability. Front springs have been retuned for more precise rebound and a thicker front anti-roll bar helps with high speed cornering and reduced body roll.
The Toyota Yaris TS also offers retuned, high precision electric power steering with a ratio of 13.2:1. This offers just 2.3 turns, lock to lock and makes the Toyota Yaris TS extremely nimble with a turning radius of 5.6 metres.
Top-level safety standards
Yaris has been the safest supermini available at the time of its launch. In order to live up to its predecessor's image, the new Yaris also counts with a strong Euro NCAP performance. The Toyota Yaris TS has achieved a class-leading 5 star result at the Euro NCAP Adult Occupant Rating among B-segment cars - 35 points. This is the highest score ever attained by a Toyota model at the Euro NCAP tests.
The vehicle is featured with nine airbags which contribute to this high level of passive safety. Four airbags (dual front and side) are standard with curtain shield airbags, and a segment-first driver's knee airbag is also available.
Yaris is the first Toyota to be developed according to more stringent car-to-car compatibility internal standards. Toyota's previous car-to-car compatibility standards stipulated a crash speed of 50 km/h. However, Toyota decided to adopt more stringent criteria by increasing this speed to 55 km/h on all car-to-car crash tests, which represents a 20% increase in impact energy.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC) and Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) will be available as standard active safety features for the Toyota Yaris TS.
