Feature – Toyota Yaris AP4

15th September 2017, 12:03pm
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The Toyota Yaris AP4 unveiled today in South Australia is a car that has to be seen to be believed. From humble beginnings in mid 2016, the project has been a stressful, yet rewarding one for the team at Neal Bates Motorsport. The final two weeks of preparation before Lightforce Rally SA have consisted of very long days for the team, who were on a tight schedule to have the immaculate car prepared. In its first test last week it was already impressing Australian Rally Champonship leader, Harry Bates. “We did about 50 kilometres, and the feeling was pretty good straight away,” he said. “I think we’re all just really excited to see it going this weekend and seeing our hard work come to fruition,” Bates said. Sitting in it’s mostly white war paint, the car looks the business, and the young star will be hoping it does the business also. Powered by a 1.6 litre turbo engine, the Yaris looks and sounds fantastic, and is sure to leave fans wanting more. The car, with a 224 kilowatt engine, has substantially higher power and torque than its S2000 predecessor that Bates has driven for the past 18 months. The left hand drive machine also features Sadev differentials and six-speed sequential gearbox. Despite having the new car at his disposal, Bates is acknowledging the challenge that will face him this weekend. “We’re going to be doing a lot of adjusting this weekend throughout the rally, but that’s the main reason we wanted to debut it here, so that we get kilometres in the car. "If we can get a good result this weekend, then that’ll be a bonus, but it’s all about trying to get the car right before Rally Australia in November.” https://youtu.be/Zr0wTxMPSww

Toyota Yaris AP4 Specifications: Model: Toyota Yaris Engine type: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Engine Designation: 2ZZ-GE (de-stroked from 1.8L to 1.6L) Configuration: In-line Valve mechanism: Twin-cam 16-valve Fuel system: Bosch Restrictor Plate: 34mm restrictor plate Displacement: 1613cc Bore x stroke (mm): 82.0 x 76.4 Compression ratio: 10.5:1 Turbocharger: Garrett 2860 Exhaust: Custom 2 ¾ inch Intercooler: Custom PWR Front-mount ECU: Motec M150 power management system and C125 display/logger Maximum Power: 300hp/224kW Maximum Torque: 420Nm Driveline type: All-wheel drive Gearbox: Sadev six-speed sequential Differentials: Sadev (front & rear) Steering system: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion Front brakes: 300mm x 30mm slotted discs, four-piston AP Racing callipers Rear brakes: 300mm x 30mm slotted discs, four-piston AP Racing callipers Hand Brake: Sadev Hydraulic Front suspension: Independent MacPherson struts with MCA coil springs and remote-reservoir dampers Rear suspension: Independent MacPherson struts with MCA coil springs and remote-reservoir dampers Wheels: Speedline 15 x 7.0 “ Tyres: MRF 205/65R15 Battery: Braille dry cell Fuel Tank: 75L ATL Fuel Cell Seats: Racetech RT9119 Harness: 6-point Sabelt Steering Wheel: Sabelt 330mm Roll Cage: Custom chrome moly Dimensions: Minimum dry weight: 1230kg Overall length: 3945mm Width: 1820mm Height: 1485mm Wheelbase: 2525mm