"As urban road congestion increases in proportion to the rapid growth in the number of vehicles on our roads stress levels are on the increase in every day driving situations," says Andrew Kirby, Toyota's senior vice-president, sales and marketing.
"This has resulted in an increase in demand for vehicles with automatic transmission at the lower end of the market. Automatics are usually associated with top-end specification models and this has been the case with the Yaris up to now.
"That changes with the linking of the automatic transmission option on the Yaris Hatch and Sedan to the Yaris T3+ specification level for a more affordable package. These new automatic derivatives go on sale in the latter part of November."
Automatics equipped with the T3+ specification include items such as electric power steering, integrated radio with RDS, front loading CD player, headlamp on warning buzzer, tilt adjustment on the hatchback's steering (the sedan's steering is adjustable for reach too), height adjustable front seats, air conditioner and power side mirrors and front and rear windows.
Standard safety equipment includes an ABS system, EBD, BAS emergency brake assist, dual front and side airbags, rear fog lamps and a full-sized spare wheel.
As with the rest of the Yaris range, the latest additions are powered by Toyota's 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with VVT-i technology.
It produces 63 kW at 6 000 r/min and peak torque of 121 Nm at 4 400 r/min. The unit is mated with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
A four-year/60 000 km service plan, as well as a three year/100 000 km warranty with AA roadside assistance is included in the price.
Service intervals are 15 000 km.
Prices:
Yaris T3+ Hatch Automatic - R139 700
Yaris T3+ Sedan Automatic - R145 400