Test Drive Toyota Matrix since 2003 Hatchback

Returnal side

Six thousand are a lot. Especially when the unit of measurement is the turnover of Toyota Sport engines.
Salo in champagne - such a newspaper header saw fans of motor racing a few years ago. Speech, of course, was not about an exotic dish, but about the victory of Miki Salo at one of the stages of Formula 1.
In this season, Finn Champagne did not watery - his team Panasonic Toyota Racing, who debuted in the Grand Prix, was able to get only two points for seventeen stages, but this is not the main thing. Toyota Motor Corporation All persistently reminds the world about his half-century sports history. Moreover, the company's ambitions apply not only to elite sports, which are the royal races, but also, for example, on the mass physical education, because the line of sports cars of the Toyota brand is not limited to the RVX02 car, but includes several cars available to lovers athletes.
Toyota Play Station. True, not everyone and not everywhere. Alas, domestic fans so far only dream of Toyotovskaya sportiness, as Nagatinskaya floodplains in Moscow dreams of asphalt formula track. Sales of the best European car named Yaris have ceased before the version of T Sport appeared. At the same time, Celica and MR2 are not certified for Russia at all. The only sports Toyota, which can be purchased from Russian official dealers, is Corolla T Sport, however, there is a zankovo \u200b\u200bhere - you will be offered an exclusively five-door version, although with three doors it, it would be reasonable.
However, the above-described barriers should only cheer the real physical consultancy. For example, I was not too lazy to call one of St. Petersburg Toyota dealers, where I did not refuse to assist in the delivery from Finland Celica T Sport, of course, without further warranty obligations. And MR2 I was ready to sell the official dealer of the company in Riga for $ 20.4 thousand. Even if I add the amount of our unthinkable customs clearance here, then for a real roadster is not too expensive. I think, in a similar way, it would be possible to solve problems and in the Far East, only in the Tumbler machines the steering wheel is where your girlfriend should be, and Yaris is generally called Vitz.
Unfortunately, all my studies of the proposal remained virtual, and real was one short day in Northern Italy, where Toyota gave the autopilot to get acquainted with the firm sports cars. Although, if you think about the exercises, these in their guidance were also almost virtual. Constantly jumping out of one car to another, there was a feeling that you are in the fleet of attractions or behind the autoimulator helm.

Fast silver. Yaris T Sport, who brightly drove me from Milan airport, for the year who passed from our first acquaintance has practically not changed. The same color is Quick Silver, by the way, the only possible for sports yaris. Massive spoilers with fogs and chubby arches, of which they drank the brilliance for a presentation trip 15-inch wheels, Toyota Sport nameplates - everything seems to be in place. Only the doors of this yaris are three, not five, and I'm not going to the Bikernieki Riga highway, but in the Italian public roads. Around the same Italian drivers who roll as if they had several lives in stock.
On Yaris T Sport still places a two-liter VVT-I, which develops 106 hp. at 6 thousand rpm. So that you can make sure that there is more vibration, the devices in T Sport analog, and not digital, as in the usual Yaris. With unusual, it is even somehow dyed to see the tachometer arrow, which even on the highest, fifth gear at a speed of 150 km / h fell over 5 thousand selected words deserves the exhaust system. She, as a musical instrument, need good acoustics: in a dense stream or tunnel - exactly what is needed. You put on gas - and the engine buzzar covers a low rocometer from a huge nozzle under the bumper.
Up to Hundred Yaris T Sport starts in just 9 seconds. - This dynamics cannot boast other hot hatsches with 1.6 liter engines. Acceleration from 60 to 100 km / h on the fourth gear - 8.4 seconds, which on Toyota is also honored for the record. Yes, and in practice, the car allows you to safely pull into the neighboring rows even at high speeds. The rear suspension at the athlete is tougher than the fan, and the T Sport itself is almost 20 mm closer to the road than the usual Yaris, so when moving the car does not roll, but adrenaline during maneuvers is still enough. The machine is small, and everything that happens on the road occurs in centimeters from you, at the same time you did not lay down in a sporty, and stick in the chair vertically, like a pillar - otherwise it will not work in Yaris. However, this also has its own fan. Believe me on the word: a trip on the bottom of Willys, which is about to the tips, gives much more emotions than the trip on the Hummer nevaleashka.
Maybe better about the reactor? Looking ahead, I will say that I finished the same route to Corolla T Sport. Here the landing is also not sporting that when driving around narrow tracks, wound along Lake Como, even well - better dimensions. It is simply impossible to go quickly here or overtakes - about the invitantness of the situation constantly resemble trucks and even tractors, which and look your left mirror. The engine is 1.8 liters pulls from the lowest. The transfer is chosen so that you can go on the second on the machine.
  Of course, I was waiting for the road atmosphere to make the engine to 6 thousand, after which, as the eyewitnesses assured, Corolla T Sport becomes a completely different car. Finally waited, pressed.
I will not go into the particular work of the system of stepless change of phases of gas distribution, which in Toyota is called VVTL-I and which has already been written. I note only that we did not really be deceived: 192 forces that Corolla T Sport develops at 7800 rpm., Feels each particle of the body. Know yourself unpunished jumping out of a number of in a row, not forgetting to pull the handle, in order to keep the engine, as specialists would say, in the zone of the greatest torque. The benefit of the gear in Corolla T Sport six, the gearbox lever is long, but, putting a hand on the armrest, you can only operate with a brush. The suspension appeared very balanced: it does not pierce even on deep joints in the asphalt, but in the turns no rolls, although the back of the seat tangible on the ribs. And once in turn, the buzzer Vehicle Stability Control - the system, slowing down the wheel, when the car strives to break into the skid. The VSR system, as well as BRAKE Assist and EBD, is a standard set of Corolla T Sport. One thing.
Carbon inserts, polished aluminum, control of the radio with a steering wheel and other bells, distinguishing the interior of T Sport from the usual Corolla, I, carried away by pedals and handle of the checkpoint, did not have time to appreciate the dignity.
How the map is lying. And not surprising. In his left hand, I constantly kept the map of the area, checking the letters on the road panels. It did not help - I was mistaken. Having left for a huge area of \u200b\u200bthe turnstiles, in which, as in one-armed bandits, the Italians feed money for a paid road, click Pause, or rather, the emergency room, and deepen into the study of the card.

So here it is impossible. A policeman in a white cap and boots before the knee prizzyus hand, wants me to join the side of the Alfa Romeo with some Arabs, which are currently actively sponed ... You know, the police appear in the computer toy Need for Speed, From which you need to leave. I turn off the emergency and press on gas.
They probably thought that a foreigner did not know not only local traffic rules, but also international police gestures, and therefore forgave him. Or maybe they simply do not attend clauses for the Milan police on the Varano highway, where I rode a few hours before our exciting meeting.
Not only cops are chased to Varano. Test tests of machines of the first formula are held here. It was here that Toyota gave a short to try in Celica T Sport and MR2.
According to the instructions. Short - otherwise you can not say. One circle instructor shows you your trajectories in turns, the points where you need to slow down and where to switch. Then three circles with the same instructor on a passenger seat - no longer test the car, but give the exam for the assimilation of the teacher lesson. It was a little time to notice. The fact that, in contrast to T Sport, the usual Celica - with the same 1.8 l, but without VVTL-I - just does not go. The fact that, as befits a lightweight car with a powerful engine and front-wheel drive, Celica T Sport is characteristic of starting. The fact that the sports landing is still a comfortable bus on the bodies. It was not immediately able to adapt to the knob of the gearbox - the scene at Celica is tilted forward and in neutral the handle is unusually aiming in the windshield.
After me, I only had to watch how others ride, occasionally glancing at the Varano's next roadway, where the gloomy people experienced Bugatti Veyron, which, despite her 1001 hp And the money from VW will not reach the mass execution.
  Comparisons, of course, are inappropriate, but Celica has time to update not only in terms of color scheme as the aforementioned supercar. By 2003, she received new optics, bumpers. In general, the changes that touched the body of Celica, according to the company's experts, were undertaken no longer for beauty, but to improve aerodynamics - in particular, in order to reduce lift in the back of the car at high speeds. New shock absorbers must ensure comfort both when dried around the rough terrain and when maneuvering at high speeds. However, not everything can be seen, with the suspension safely, otherwise why it was necessary to supply the updated Celica system AHLS, which, depending on the workload of the trunk and the number of passengers on the back of the bench adjusts the angle of inclination of the beams of the head light. He remembered the neighbor, who boosts the trunk of his Muscovite apples, so shines directly into the sky, advertising on the overpass can be read.
Mr. Tu. For dessert - Toyota MR2. It is for dessert, for for the uncompromisingity to domestic use, this car is different as delicacy.
I am looking for where to challenge the CAFR with the camera: Back to smoke it is meaningless, there the engine, as they resemble the gills behind the doors, under the front hood is a spare, and the luggage container behind the seats is too narrow. But for the driver and the passenger, everything is more than comfortable - a helmet that was forced to wear, did not rest in the ceiling, which, as you know, in MR2 may be tough, soft, and maybe there is no absent. The lower part of the body, as it should be, is squeezed into the cockpit. Translations are shared with spinage accuracy. The unity of the shape and content is obvious.
If Celica externally resembles Ferrari Maranello, then MR2 is its optics and characteristic bundles of the body - poured Porsche Boxter. True, Toyota, apparently, souls other analogies - not so long ago, the company released a limited edition of the MR2 F1: with the forefront, like a car, the formulate helm instead of the steering wheel, with a 258 hp engine and at a cost of $ 130 thousand.
Although it is possible to feel like a Miko fat and the motor is located in the database, almost immediately behind the seat backs, and therefore the behavior of the car on the road is similar to formula. Even despite the taking effect of what is happening! The engine, which here, as if one whole with the driver, twists the rear wheels, and the front axle is exclusively in order to perform your commands with accuracy. The fact that the rhodster is not too serious for athlete 140 hp At 6400 rpm., In this case, there is absolutely no role. Amazing MR2 stability in turns provokes to pass through the turn with each time at an increasing speed. Whether the tires squeezes - not heard, everything overlaps unreacted when switching to the second motor.
Feed forward. The current generation of MR2 is known to us, alas, by pictures since 2000. However, the car has already managed to transform the new season. Externally, this is a more aggressive grill and fog lights, integrated again into a more massive bumper, as well as the nozzle of the exhaust pipe with a diameter almost with a beer can. The interior has become more chromium, the design of the buttons has changed, and the dashboard now shines amber. The rear suspension became more rigid, in addition, the 16-inch wheels are now spinning - the front remains with a diameter of 15 inches. The standard for MR2 will now become a traction distribution system, which is indicated by a suspicious LSD abbreviation (Limited-Slip Differedial). On versions with a sequential box, where transfers are switching to the buttons on the steering wheel, the standard will be Brake Assist and the car stabilization system (VSC).
In my instance, all this tops were absent, but it could hardly help me. Fasciating your own invulnerability, I did not get the Brake team! And too cool laid the left steering wheel. Roger feeding forward flew from the road, pulling into the sky shreds turf ...
Cat on the instructor. From under, ironic Italian eyes are watching: no problem. FIRST GEAR. Power ...
Well, all according to the laws of a computer game - start from the place where preserved, and try not to think about what someone gets champagne, and someone is only fat.
 
Text Dmitry Grona, photo of the author and Toyota

Model / Modification Toyota MR2
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Co
BODY
Type of roadster
Number of doors / seats 2/2
ENGINE
Type gasoline with multipoint injection
Location in the database
Working volume (cube. Cm) 1794
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Angle
Power, kW (hp) with rpm. / Min. 103 (140) at 6400
Moment (nm at rpm.) 170 at 4200
TRANSMISSION
Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox mechanical, six-speed
SUSPENSION
Front / rear-type MacPherson, transverse stability stabilizer / type MacPherson, transverse stability stabilizer
STEERING
Type of gear-rail with electro-hydroxyl
Mini reversal diameter (m) 10
Torkemose
Front / rear disk, ventilated / disc, ventilated
ABS four-channel, EBD
Sizes / Volume / Weight
Length / Width / Height (mm) 3895/1695/1240
Wheel base (mm) 2450
Own weight (kg) 1005
Fuel tank capacity (L) 48
Front tires / rear 185/55 R15 / 215/45 R16
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 210
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 9.3
Acceleration 0-400 m (sec) 15.8
Economy
Middle fuel consumption (l / 100 km) 7.4
The price in Europe is from $ 20.5 thousand.
 

Model / Modification Toyota Celica TS
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Co
BODY
Type of coupe
Number of doors / places 2/2 + 2
ENGINE
Type gasoline with multipoint injection
Location in front, transversely
Working volume (cubic. Cm) 1796
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Angle
Power, kW (hp) for about. 141 (192) at 7800 / min.
Moment (nm at rpm. / Min.) 180 at 6800
TRANSMISSION
Drive front
Gearbox mechanical, five-speed
SUSPENSION
Front / rear-type MacPherson on L-shaped levers, transverse stability stabilizer / multi-dimensional, transverse stability stabilizer
STEERING
Rake gear type
Minimum reversal diameter (M) 10.4
Torkemose
Front / rear disk, ventilated / disc
ABS four-channel, EBD, Brake Assist
Sizes / Volume / Weight
Length / Width / Height (mm) 4350/1735/1315
Wheel base (mm) 2600
Own weight (kg) 1140
Fuel tank capacity (L) 55
Tires 205/50 R16
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 225
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 7.4
Acceleration 0-400 m (sec) 15.2
Economy
Middle fuel consumption (l / 100 km) 8.4
The price in Europe is from $ 23.8 thousand.
 

Model / Modification Toyota Corolla TS
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Co
BODY
Type Hatchback
Number of doors / places 3/5
ENGINE
Type gasoline with multipoint injection
Location in front, transversely
Working volume (cubic. Cm) 1796
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Angle
Power, kW (hp) with rpm. / Min. 141 (192) at 7800
Moment (nm at rpm. / Min.) 180 at 6800
TRANSMISSION
Drive front
Gearbox mechanical, six-speed
SUSPENSION
Front / rear-type MacPherson, transverse stability stabilizer / semi-independent, torsion, transverse stability stabilizer
STEERING
Type of gear-rail with electric power
Minimum reversal diameter (M) 10.2
Torkemose
Front / rear disk, ventilated / disc
ABS four-channel, EBD, Brake Assist
Sizes / Volume / Weight
Length / width / height (mm) 4180/1710/1475
Wheel base (mm) 2600
Own weight (kg) 1210
Fuel tank capacity (L) 55
Tires 195/55 VR16.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 225
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 8.4
Acceleration 0-400 m (sec) 16.1
Economy
Middle fuel consumption (l / 100 km) 8.3
Price in Moscow from $ 26.9 thousand (five-door modification)

Model / Modification Toyota Yaris TS
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Co
BODY
Type Hatchback
Number of doors / places 3/5
ENGINE
Type gasoline with multipoint injection
Location in front, transversely
Working volume (cube. Cm) 1497
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Angle
Power, kW (hp) with rpm. / Min. 78 (106) at 6000
Moment (nm at rpm. / Min.) 145 at 4200
TRANSMISSION
Drive front
Gearbox mechanical, five-speed
SUSPENSION
Front / rear-type MacPherson / torsion
STEERING
Rake gear type
Minimal reversal diameter (M) 10.6
Torkemose
Front / rear disk, ventilated / disc
ABS four-channel, EBD
Sizes / Volume / Weight
Length / Width / Height (mm) 3635/1660/1485
Wheel base (mm) 2370
Own weight (kg) 1025
Fuel tank capacity (L) 45
Tires 185/55 R15
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 190
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 9
Acceleration 0-400 m (sec) 16.7
Economy
Middle fuel consumption (l / 100 km) 6.8
The price in Europe is from $ 12.7 thousand.

 

A source: "Autopilot"