Toyota Belta

This article is about the XP90 series Yaris sedan. For its hatchback counterpart, see Toyota Vitz (XP90).
For the Suzuki Ciaz-based model sold in South Africa since 2021, see Toyota Belta (2021).
Toyota Belta (XP90)
2006 Toyota Yaris (NCP93L; pre-facelift). The pictured model is a U.S. specification variant imported to Germany.
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Also called
Production
  • November 2005[1] – June 2012 (Japan)
  • April 2007 – March 2013 (Vios)
  • 2012–2016 (extended production of Yaris sedan from Japan)
Model years2007–2012
Assembly
Designer
  • Junichi Furuyama (chief engineer)[3]
  • Takashi Hagino, Motoaki Sakaue, Hideo Kouyama, Koichi Sumigama and Daisuke Iguchi (pre-facelift)[4][5][6]
  • Jiro Okimoto and Yohei Kusamoto (facelift, except Southeast Asian market)[7]
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Body style4-door sedan
Layout
PlatformToyota B platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,550 mm (100.4 in)[8]
Length4,300 mm (169.3 in)[8]
Width1,690–1,700 mm (66.5–66.9 in)[8]
Height1,460–1,480 mm (57.5–58.3 in)[8]
Kerb weight990–1,120 kg (2,183–2,469 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor

The Toyota Belta (Japanese: トヨタ・ベルタ, Hepburn: Toyota Beruta), referred to in North American and Australian markets as the Yaris and in Asian markets as the Vios, is a subcompact sedan manufactured by Toyota.

The successor to the Platz sedan, the Belta has increased in size over the previous generation such that its interior volume is comparable to the E120 series Corolla. The Belta went on sale in Japan on 28 November 2005 equipped with 1.0 to 1.3 L engines and was available at Toyopet Store dealerships.[9] Export sales began in 2006, with most markets receiving a 1.5 L 1NZ-FE engine as standard fitment.[10] The smaller 1.3 L 2NZ-FE engine was also offered in selected markets.

The Belta was sold as the second generation Vios in China and selected Southeast Asian countries. In the Americas, Middle East, South Africa and Australia, it was marketed as the Yaris sedan, replacing the Echo sedan.

In June 2012, the Japanese-market Belta was discontinued and replaced by the E160 series Corolla, and it was dropped in the US and Canada to be replaced by the Mazda2 sedan-based Yaris sedan/Scion iA in 2016. However, the Belta was still produced in Japan for export to Mexico and Australia until it was discontinued in both countries in 2016. For the Asian market, the XP150 series Vios replaced the XP90 model in 2013 as the sedan counterpart to the XP150 Yaris hatchback.

The "Belta" nameplate was revived in November 2021 for the rebadged Suzuki Ciaz sold in South Africa.[11]

The name "Belta" is a contraction of the Italian words "bella gente", or "beautiful people".[9][12]

  1. ^ "Affiliates (Toyota wholly-owned subsidiaries)-Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc". Toyota Motor Corporation. 2012. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  2. ^ 天津一汽丰田汽车有限公司 [Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor] (in Chinese). TFTM. Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  3. ^ Koichiro Imoto (30 November 2005). "【トヨタ ベルタ 発表】デザインは情感重視" (in Japanese). Response Automotive Media.
  4. ^ "Design 200515324 | Registration 307391". search.ipaustralia.gov.au.
  5. ^ "Design 200515319 | Registration 307387". search.ipaustralia.gov.au.
  6. ^ "Design 200515323 | Registration 307390". search.ipaustralia.gov.au.
  7. ^ "Design 200515323 | Registration 307390". search.ipaustralia.gov.au.
  8. ^ a b c d "2007 Toyota Vios Car Information Singapore". sgCarMart. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  9. ^ a b "Toyota Launches New Vehicle 'Belta' in Japan" (News Release). Toyota Motor Corporation. 2005-11-28. Archived from the original on 2010-08-01.
  10. ^ "2007 Toyota Yaris Review and Specs". JB car pages. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  11. ^ Bahadur, Nishmanya (2021-11-19). "Ciaz-based Toyota Belta revealed". Autocar (India).
  12. ^ "Vehicle Lineage Chart Data: Origin of a car's name". Toyota Motor Corporation.