Toyota Ractis - Please Make It a Global Car!
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 12.13.05
One more addition to the "cool small cars that we don't get in North-America" category (as opposed to small cars that we will get, like this one): the Toyota Ractis. It seems like a great vehicle that could meet the needs of a majority of car buyers and become quite popular if it was available here. Small outside, big inside, the Japanese version is powered by either a 1.3-liter (87hp) or 1.5-liter (110hp) VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine that exceeds by 5% the level called for by the 2010 Japanese fuel efficiency standards and achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards. The 1.5 model is also available with all wheel drive (AWD), and a panoramic glass roof is also optional. More below, including lots of pictures.
The Ractis is built using Toyota's Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS); "LCA (Life-cycle Assessment) was [...] carried out, aiming at reductions of CO2 and other atmospheric pollutants, not just during the use stage, but also during the entire lifecycle of the Ractis, from manufacture through disposal."
The transmission is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that provides higher fuel economy than a regular automatic, and it has a seven-speed "Sports Sequential Shiftmatic" mode.
We wonder what it will take for Toyota and other companies (including GM/Opel) to bring these cars here in North-America. We know that Mexico is already getting more models than Canada and the US, but still, now is a good time to make a big move and change the automotive landscape for the better (before we can take the next step...).
Here are photos:
::Official Toyota Ractis Website, ::Beyond.ca Forum, ::ToyotaNation Forum, ::2006 Toyota Ractis, ::New Toyota Ractis Launched
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That's a cool small car. The only problem is many car companies have this "It won't sell in the US because it doesn't fit the US consumers taste" and so they won't bring it here. I wonder how they expect the "US consumers tastes" to change if they never give them a reason to such as providing a cool small car.
As attractive as a Merc A-Class, and probably as crash-worthy as a Mini or Chevy Aveo.
I think Toyota should bring it, at least as a new Scion or something. More attractive and useful than the current xA.
I agree with Carl, this seems like it would be a nice addition to the Scion line here in the U.S. I really hope we do see more cars like this in North American markets.
I'm also excited to see the use of CVT and VVT-i spreading to more and more cars from many auto manufacturers. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, these kind of technologies that offer incremental improvements to fuel economy can go a long way...
Are we sure it's not just a new generation Scion? I drive an xA, and it looks very similar externally, and internally it just looks like an updated Scion.
Looks like a scion xA.. which we already have here... probably the next gen of it so chances are we will get it
There's a possibility that Toyota could rebadge it and sell it in the US as a new Scion model, yes. I haven't heard anything about it, though.
It'll never catch on in the US. The steering wheel's on the wrong side!
"It'll never catch on in the US. The steering wheel's on the wrong side!"
haha :D
For a moment, I thought it said "Toyota Racist", and thought to myself, "OMG! They probably mean 'racer'."
I wus drivin' muh rig along, and blew a red light, and I ractis little car right into the front window of a Starbucks.
Sorry, had to have some ironic fun with the name.
Dear Toyota,
Please bring all your great small cars to Canada. Our market is far more inclined to buy small efficient cars than our friends to the south. Witness the Smart, which was available in Canada years before the US, and is so popular they're constantly back-ordered.
Thank you.
P.S. If you run into Mr. Mercedes, please tell him we want the A-Class here too.
Dear Toyota,
I own a Yaris Verso which I think is the model before this.I hope Toyota GB bring it into the UK.
The second they do I will order one asap!
Small cars are fun and cheap to run!
Fuel in UK £5.00 a gallon! nearly $9.00US
You folks have it good.
Actually, Tom, these are the new versions of the Yaris, and they will be coming to the UK and the rest of the world in 2006.
The Ractis does look remarkably like the U.S's Scion xA and I imagine it is the new version of the xA, not the Yaris. I hope that it will be released as a Scion in the U.S., with CVT and w/out a larger engine. The U.S. version of the Yaris will feature a larger engine (1.5 instead of 1.3 or 1.0 liter like the rest of the world's Yaris) and will not have CVT (like the Japanese version, the Vitz). It thus takes a fuel efficiency hit to satisfy Americans' supposed demand for performance...
Actually just bought one of these babies (live in Tokyo).
They call the Scion a 'Bb' here and it is aimed at a youth market. Seemed similar, though less roomy on the inside, a better stereo system and perhaps w/o some of the eco features.
Will let you know how it drives/deals w/ fuel efficiency in urban driving.
Dealer told us we will have to wait a month or so for delivery.
Thanks for writing, TokyoVince. Please keep us updated. I'm very curious to know more about the Ractis/Bb.
hey,
bB is Scion xB
the Ractis is the next generation of Yaris Verso (We call it Echo Verso in hong kong)
hu. When will this car sell in malaysia??
Hope see the left steering wheel ractis car soon.
how about the price ?
Dear Toyota,
it's a sporty car for young people....
"OMG" when this car arrive to indonesia???
wow what a great car?
when this car will coming to indonesia?
and how much does the price is?
DEAR TOYOTA,
It's a sporty car for young people & when this car arrive to Malaysia.
How much does the price is (MALAYSIA).
Thanks.
Dear Toyota:
I really hope to see this car in Malaysia. Please Toyota, please bring this pretty car to Malaysia.
Thank you.
Recently, i heard of romous that this car will be launch in Malaysia after Chinese new year(2008). Is it true? Hopefully it will come as soonest as i wish, can't wait to see..
hi, i have this car, that panoramic roof is all rubish havnt seen 1 yet, yes the emmission is correct, i have noticed in the dash area it say cvt m sports mode, in orange colour, this function only comes on, on high rpm only,the vsc stop the car from sliding in the wet, the coolest thing about this car its totally key less so no keys at all u just walk up 2 the car and it opens automatically, push a button to start it, the seats are very comfortable, I also have a yaris/vitz the vitz seems to be quicker of the make and handles slightly better than the ractis, the 1.3ltr motor in the ractis make it a bit slow compared with the 1.5ltr vitz make a significant difference, but my GTT Nspec 2005 caldina is the best.