Toyota Ractis and Subaru Trezia 2015 minor change

It's the new Toyota Ractis (Verso-S) and Subaru Trezia! Sort of...The second-generation Toyota Ractis, as well as its Subaru twin, the Trezia, has been updated for the 2015 model year and for these compact cars, they're now more economical and keen looking than ever before.

2015 Subaru Trezia

2015 Toyota Ractis

Well, on the outside, some subtle changes are occurred from the front grille, revised headlamps, revised rear lamps, and a little else of that. Not only the outside gets some cosmetic changes but on the inside...

2015 Subaru Trezia interior

2015 Toyota Ractis interior

...well, there interior's mildly revised with the hint of a revised instrumental panel for some models. Now, even though the cosmetic changes is a bit enough to differentiate it from the pre-facelift, the biggest change happened on both the Trezia and the Ractis is the implementation of the brand new 1NR-FKE engine first applied on the Vitz minor change last month.

1NR-FKE

For a quick recap, the 1NR-KFE engine uses the Atkinson Cycle commonly used in their hybrid cars and provides and enhanced expansion ration and reduces waste heat through a high compression ratio of 13.5:1. It can be utilized with the use of a tumble flow-generating intake, cooled EGR, and VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent Electric) technology.

With the new 1NR-FKE engine, both the Trezia and the Ractis will have the JC08 Mode-calculated fuel economy of 20.0kmpl but couple that with the idling stop feature and it will return about 21.8kmpl, making it one of the class-leading fuel-economy figures ever recorded. Of course, if you want more power, you can opt for the 1.5L 1NZ-FE engine, which develops 109PS of power output and fuel economy of 20.6kmpl when equipped with an idling stop function. Of course, most models do come with the CVT gearbox but for 1.5L models, the CVT comes with a 7-speed manual mode and a SPORT switch which makes it a bit too peppy...I think...

The 2015 Ractis starts from 1,615,091 up to 1,954,800 Japanese Yen (about $16,200 to $19,550) while the 2015 Trezia starts from 1,566,000 up to 2,131,000 Japanese Yen (about $15,700 to $21,310). The pricing may not be textbook but they can be a smart buy for the smart consumers.

Available colors for the Ractis: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Super Red V, Bronze Mica Metallic, Light Blue Mica Metallic, Satin Blue Mica Metallic, Deep Amethyst Mica Metallic, and Super White II.

Available Colors for the Trezia: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Super Red V, Bronze Mica Metallic, Satin Blue Mica Metallic, and Deep Amethyst Mica Metallic.

Idolm@ster-itasha versions of Prius, Ractis Verso, and Wish coming at Amlux this February

Toyota WISH -THE IDOLM@STER- Version

Toyota Prius -THE IDOLM@STER- Version

Toyota Ractis (Verso-S) -THE IDOLM@STER- Version

   

Some say, it happened again but this is different from last year. All we know is, THE IDOLM@STER returns to Toyota's Amlux this February! That's right, petrolheads in Japan. They're back, and this time, Amlux will feature Idolm@ster itasha versions of the Toyota Prius hybrid, Toyota Ractis (Verso-S) hatchback, and the Toyota Wish MPV from February 11 to March 31, 2012.

For about 1,000JPY, visitors can have a one hour test drive in either the Prius or the Ractis Verso while listening to the original IDOLM@STER radio program but those must be reserved in advance.

For some who haven't known, last October 2011, Toyota displayed some IDOLM@STER itasha versions of the Toyota Prius Alpha (Prius v or Prius+) MPV and the Toyota Vitz/Yaris hatchback and it lasted 'till late November 2011.

Guess those IM@S fandom really turned us into petrolheads...

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-02-08/idolm@ster-prius-to-be-displayed-at-tokyo-showroom

Special-edition Ractis comes with Smart Stop

2012 Toyota Ractis 1.3G Smart Stop Selection

A special-edition Toyota Ractis (known in Europe as the Verso-S and in Hong Kong as the Ractis Verso) 1.3G/1.3X Smart Stop Selection comes equipped with the innovative Toyota Smart Stop technology that allows the 1NR-FE engine to shut off automatically when stopped at the red light, giving the maximum fuel economy of 21.5km/L according to Japan's 10-15 Mode Test Cycle.

Interesting about this feature and this is a very beneficial variant for those who are looking for fuel efficient compacts in Japan today!

Scoop: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/11/10/nt11_045.html

Hana? L'epice? Jewela?

Toyota Passo 1.0 +Hana '11

Toyota Ractis 1.5 L'epice '11

Toyota Vitz 1.5 Jewela '11

The +Hana on the new Toyota Passo, the L'epice on the new Toyota Ractis Verso, and the Jewela on the new Toyota Vitz/Yaris. Those three compacts were made for the feminine drivers, and if I were a Japanese female driver comparing those three feminine-type compacts, what should it be?

In my opinion, the +Hana on the new Passo provides its "genki" characteristic, perfect for the genki girl type. The Ractis Verso L'epice has a stylish grille that made female buyers want to buy this kind of Ractis, but looks somewhat a simplicity. The new Vitz Jewela has a different face that looks like the Ractis L'epice and it has a bunch of fancy colors, especially the Jewela exclusive colors such as Cherry Pearl Crystal Shine, Dark Brown Mica Metallic, Reddish Purple Mica Metallic, Dark Red Mica, Turquoise Metallic, Green Mica Metallic, and Blue Mica Metallic. Some Jewela exclusive colors have a silver side mirror on it to add a hint of glamor on the Vitz Jewela.

These feminine type Toyota compacts were a greater deal for Japanese women... 

A Trezia tS is in the works?

Despite the Subaru Trezia is a rebadged version of the Toyota Ractis Verso, it still garners more attention than its original twin. Needless to say, most Japanese car enthusiasts prefer the front face of the Trezia rather than the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S, and I don't really know why...

I read something in an article found at Carview:

http://carview.co.jp/news/0/138959/

In translation: Subaru's planning an STi version of the Subaru Trezia. This Trezia tuned by STi will be unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon and specs for this Trezia tS remains unclear...

If went into limited production, this Trezia could fly...like a fighter jet...

Ractis vs. Trezia

Toyota's new Ractis (soon in Europe as the Verso-S)

and the Subaru version of the new Toyota Ractis, the Trezia

Wait a minute, both of them have the same engine, same interior, and same platform. Why would I compare them if both have the same traits? Don't worry, it's the style I'm comparing...

CASE ONE:

With Yui Aragaki leading the commercial for the new, second-generation, Toyota Ractis, this is truly every Japanese families' answer to the question "Korette, Ari?" (これって、あり, does that mean, there?) The answers on the new Ractis include, but not limited to; a choice of a 1.3L and 1.5L engine, three types (Standard, L'epice, and Sporty Type), and convenient tax cuts due to Japan's "Eco Car Genzei" system. The new Ractis is built as an everyday compact hatchback for the everyday Japanese, and soon Europeans. Take note, the new Ractis arrived in Hong Kong as the Ractis Verso. 

CASE TWO:

The commercial from the new Subaru Trezia pits Japanese male actor, Tetsuji Tamayama, ala, Top Gun. It feels like you're in a jet fighter. But let me explain about the Trezia. With the same engine offerings from the new Ractis, convenient tax cuts from the Eco-Car Genzei, and the special specification Trezia dubbed the Type Euro, it seems both the Trezia and the new Ractis are the same. The main difference is the face. The Trezia has an Impreza-like face that looks like a photoshopped Ractis, but it is a reality.

I would really go for the looks of the new Ractis because it strikes a pose more than the Trezia. The Trezia's face seems decent because of its chubby Impreza face. I observed why most Japanese prefer the Trezia rather than the new second-generation Ractis. Is it because of the face? The commercial? The marketing? Doesn't matter. I hope both of these come to the Philippines with different names. The Ractis will be on Europe as the Verso-S while the Trezia, there's a rumor that it may come as the replacement of the Toyota Passo/Daihatsu Boon-based Justy.

Subaru Trezia

2011 Subaru Trezia

With the partnership between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries because of the "Toyobaru FT-86" project, most of the cars built from Toyota and Daihatsu such as the bB, Coo, Atrai Wagon, Tanto Exe, and Mira were rebadged as Subaru OEMs such as Dex, Dias Wagon, Lucra, and the new Pleo. Now, the partnership between the two companies goes even further as Subaru launched their own version of the new Toyota Ractis (Ractis Verso in Hong Kong and Verso-S in Europe), called the Trezia.

Trezia, coined from the word "treasure", is just one of the precious memories both Toyota and Subaru collaborate each other because of the FT-86 project they promised to work on. And if I said "precious memories", there are some key points you can check on the Trezia. The Subaru Trezia goes like this, a Ractis/Verso-S with the Impreza's face because on the front size, that looks more of a fat Impreza. Since this is one of Subaru's OEM cars since the bB-Coo-based Dex, you may be familiar about how the Trezia looks like because you already noticed on the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S.

2011 Subaru Trezia

I am very familiar about the Trezia's interior. After checking on the new Ractis' awesome panorama roof, this panorama roof can also be applied on the Trezia, and its applicable on the 1.5L variant.

Since the Trezia is the Subaru version of the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S, it still offers two different engine types; a 1NR-FE (1.3-litre) and a 1NZ-FE (1.5-litre) engine. However, there's a catch; the Trezia 1.3L variant offers only a normal CVT while the Trezia 1.5L offers a CVT with a 7-speed Manual Mode, providing an edge of sportiness. If the Toyota Ractis has a Sporty Type (take note: The Toyota Ractis 1.5 S), the Subaru Trezia offers Type Euro. The Subaru Trezia 1.5i Type Euro offers a Euro-tuned suspension, sporty rims, orange stitching on the dark interior, Type Euro instrumental cluster, rear disc brake, and Muffler Cutter. The Subaru Trezia Type Euro is guaranteed to be the real hot hatch designed to be more European.

My thoughts about the Trezia:

It is somewhat suspicious that some Japanese car enthusiasts prefer the Trezia rather than the new Ractis. Despite both the Trezia and the second-generation Ractis were made under the partnership between Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries, I never thought why some Japanese like the Trezia rather than the new Ractis because of the Impreza-like front view. I think the new Ractis is much more stylish than the Trezia, but that depends, both the Trezia and the new Ractis are the same.

There is a probability that this may come to Europe to replace the Passo-based Subaru Justy. But we will never know about that. This could be a double whammy! Could Toyota Motor Philippines bring the Toyota Ractis to the Philippines as the new Verso or MotorImage Pilipinas (the official Subaru distributor for Asia, including the Philippines) bring the Subaru Trezia? I could get confused if both the new Ractis/Verso-S and the Trezia clash against each other...

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Toyota New Ractis (NCP120/NCP125)/Verso-S

October 2010, at the Mondial D' Automobile (Paris Motor Show) in Paris, France, Toyota unveiled the Verso-S hatchback that is redesigned to take on other popular hatchbacks from Europe, including Euro-friendly Japanese compacts such as the Honda Fit/Jazz. In Japan, the Toyota Verso-S is known as the second-generation Toyota Ractis!

2011 Toyota Ractis

Now on its second-generation (chassis code: NCP120/NCP125), the new Toyota Ractis is all new ,inside and out, and retains its compact sizing, making it a perfect rival to the Honda Fit/Jazz, Mitsubishi Colt, Suzuki Swift, or even international ones like the Hyundai Getz/Click, Kia Morning/Picanto, BMW 1-Series, Opel Corsa, or even the Ford Fiesta. This new generation is designed to be somewhat European in the eyes of compact car consumers.

2011 Toyota Ractis

There are three styles to choose from the new Ractis (much like the Toyota Mark X's standard, premium, and sports type); the Standard Type (G, X) is the basic Ractis variant suitable for those who want it simple. The Ractis L'epice is designed to be the most stylish Ractis made for those who want a sense of style. The front of the Ractis L'epice looks more like a distorted smiley face. Last, but truly an enthusiasts' choice, is the Sports Type (Ractis S), which features every sporty detail such as the sporty headlamps, standard fog lamps, rear lamps similar to the Ractis L'epice, sporty rims, and a dark interior that is perfect to call the Sports Type the "Euro Answer" for the enthusiasts.

Under the hood, the new Ractis comes with two engine types; a 1NR-FE (1.3-litre) DOHC Dual VVT-i engine and the high performance 1NZ-FE (1.5-litre) DOHC VVT-i engine. The 1NR-FE engine is great for those who needed fuel economy because the fuel economy of this entry-level engine reaches 20.0km/L. For those who want more power than the 1NR-FE engine, the 1NZ-FE engine is truly an adventurers' type because of the power output of 109PS/6,000r.p.m. and the torque output of 14.1kg-m/4,400r.p.m. Most Ractis variants from the standard, L'epice, to the sports type, are equipped with the Super CVT-i for optimized fuel economy. This results for a greater 50% tax cut thanks to Japan's "Eco-Car Genzei" system.
Oh, and one more thing, the Sports Type comes with the paddle shifters that makes it a fun to drive Euro-Japanese compact.

2011 Toyota Ractis interior

The interior of the new Ractis is evolved to make it more European than the odd interior from the previous model. Even with the Ractis' interior evolved to suit the needs for the consumers, the comfort of being a compact car remains the same. The available auto aircon looks even more easier to operate. Cooling down or warming the interior made simpler on the new Ractis. On the driver's view, the new Ractis comes with the new optitron meters. The new available glass roof is the main attraction of the new Ractis. Once you checked inside the new Ractis, you'll never guess what will come next for this Euro-Japanese compact!

My thoughts about the Ractis:
I have a feeling that Fuji Heavy Industries are going to use the second-generation Ractis for their own version called the Trezia. As far as I know, the Trezia will look like this, a Ractis/Verso-S with the Impreza's face.

Anyway, before this Trezia comes out, feel free to enjoy the European goodness in this Euro-Japanese compact that will come out in Europe next year. Who knows, this new Ractis/Verso-S can come to the Philippines soon to take place from the ugly squarish Echo Verso (FunCargo). What comes if the next-generation Vitz/Yaris comes out?

The new Ractis is designed and engineered to be more European thanks to its European performance, European design, and European packaging. The new Ractis is truly a Japanese compact with the heart of Europe.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation