New Toyota Yaris SR includes dockable TomTom GPS

We're currently smitten with that Diesel-powered Loremo, but if we had to pick our second favorite car for the day, it'd be this here Toyota Yaris SR. Not only is it cute and sporty, but the dash rocks a fully-integrated TomTom GPS unit. When docked it not only gives you directions but provides a touchscreen interface for your car stereo, plus Bluetooth integration for hands-free phone integration, and when you're ready to rough it on foot you can pull the TomTom out of the car and carry it with you as a regular portable GPS unit. Now for the sadderness: Toyota is only offering this car in Europe right now, so us hapless Americans are going to have to stick with by our sextants for the time being.

[Luke @ Feb 21st 2008 8:06PM]

Looks just like this Eclipse unit:
http://www.eclipse-web.com/avn/avn2210pmk2overviews.html

[yoyodude64 @ Feb 21st 2008 8:08PM]

it looks so much like it that im thinking its the same unit, only this time its integrated by the manufacturer

[John @ Feb 21st 2008 8:32PM]

It is the same unit.

Lexus has been using Eclipse head units for their in-dash navigation systems for years.

[Wolfticket @ Feb 21st 2008 8:32PM]

Yup, looks like it. Nice spot.
It's good to have a first post that doesn't make me pitty the fool for once.

[Gorillamonk @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:37AM]

good eyes car guy. They keep saying it's like factory and it's not even flush with the dash. No matter, I wonder if I can put that in my CRV?

[kizane @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:22PM]

@Gorillamonk -- The Eclipse unit is double DIN, so if you have that size dash opening, you're golden... BTW, Crutchfield has the MkII like the link, and a $100 cheaper one with red illumination.

[kizane @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:22PM]

@Gorillamonk -- The Eclipse unit is double DIN, so if you have that size dash opening, you're golden... BTW, Crutchfield has the MkII like the link, and a $100 cheaper one with red illumination.

[austin @ Feb 21st 2008 8:13PM]

i would much rather have a sleek looking, permanent unit than this.
you lose some good-lookingness to the functionality

[Dull @ Feb 21st 2008 8:19PM]

I've been wait for several years for someone to say "hey lets team us with one of the GPS companies and include a dock in our automobiles".

[- @ Feb 21st 2008 8:23PM]

Reminds me of those Yorx stereos in the '80s where you can pop out the cassette player from the portable stereo.

[Dave @ Feb 21st 2008 8:33PM]

that IS an Eclipse 2210p, with toyota stampted on it... the unit was a huge hit at CES last year, was released in June and first available in a toyota (albeit on the other side of the pacific) in august.

[Chris @ Feb 21st 2008 8:45PM]

The Toyota 4Runner Urban Edition will have this as well.

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 9:08PM]

Yes, in North America we only get the stripped version of the Yaris.

In Japan and Europe, it has some serious gadgetry available and pretty upscale trim. Why do they think we would not be interested in that?

To wit: MINI Cooper!

Don't Americans tend to buy top-of-the-line trim more often than not? Would it really be that hard for Toyota to offer the option? I'm sure their Yaris sales would quadruple at least if they made the inside as attractive as the outside is.

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 9:14PM]

Quite different from the N.A. model, as you can see:

http://www.motiontrends.com/2006/m10/Toyota/Yaris_TS_console.jpg

Start Button
Auto Climate
Totally different dash
130 BHP!

[_man1c_ @ Feb 21st 2008 9:09PM]

my brother just got this. really. its a pretty neat device. would not mind getting it myself. if anyone needs directions its me..

[Coleman Foley @ Feb 21st 2008 10:28PM]

this makes the in-dash gps smaller and gives you the hassle of docking your gps every time you get in the car, and taking it out every time you get out

[jinjin @ Feb 21st 2008 10:32PM]

i can just see car thieves breaking the window had yoink

[Tony @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:02AM]

I thought the purpose of this was so you could remove the system, thus preventing thefts.

Was I the only one thinking of this?

[jeremy @ Feb 21st 2008 10:35PM]

uh, that surprises me that Toyota would go with something that clunky. I know that didn't sell very well last year in the consumer market. I guess Eclipse just stamped on Toyota.

[happy_penguin @ Feb 21st 2008 11:46PM]

I'd rather have a real car.

[beef_supreme @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:01AM]

I like the Smartcar, but The Yaris coupe looks like a manatee.

[nxtiak @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:25AM]

Too bad it's a TomTom. I prefer Garmin

[peel @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:07AM]

I looked at the Eclipse version recently as it also has support for using your phone through your stereo and iPod support. Unfortunately almost all of the reviews I found were less than stellar. Especially with regard to the iPod control. It's surprising that Toyota would integrate a system like this, especially, as someone else mentioned, one that is so clunky.

[Taylor Kemp @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:10AM]

I wonder if you could maybe import just the unit itself from a toyota parts supplier and then just replace the US yaris's radio with it (and maybe some wiring for antennnas and other etcs.)? I am getting a Yaris in like 2 months, and i would kill for one of these.

[Peter @ Feb 22nd 2008 7:13AM]

Well, this thing has been out in Europe for some months now. If you prefer a non-removable navigation there's the TNS310 unit which invisibly integrates with the regular head unit (shown in that dashboard foto someone else posted earlier on) - that's b/w but does its job nicely.
iPod and Bluetooth integration are separately available options if you choose not to go for the Tomtom-unit.
And as far as rebranding Eclipse equipment is concerned: FujtisuTen has been a long-standing supplier of OEM head units for all kinds of Toyota models (the other main vendor is Panasonic). The unusual thing here is rather that FujitsuTen is also selling them :)

[OXCiD3 @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:30AM]

Engadget you guys saw this via the Fcc this time last year (almost exaclty)
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/28/mystery-tomtom-gps-unit-hits-fcc/

[happy_penguin @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:28AM]

God of spam.

[allan @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:33AM]

The FJ40 has had this option before this year. I thought the Toyota units were JBL. I believe the OEM NAV in my Camry says JBL on it.

[AutoGuy @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:00PM]

I think Alpine's version of this is a lot better....and looks cleaner too.

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/pmd-b200-w-iva-w205.jpg

[xB Owner @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:57PM]

As someone else already mentioned, it is all about Fujitsu Ten. They have very close ties with Toyota. They provide many of the OEM head units in their cars and produce the Eclipse brand here in the US.

[bw @ Feb 23rd 2008 8:50PM]

One should be able to plug in any portable gps, that would be even nicer!

[duckgeek @ Mar 25th 2008 7:27PM]

I have one of these in my 97 Montero, including the iPod kit. It is a double-din unit.

It works well. The maps get corrupted every now and then and I've reloaded it twice, but that only takes a few minutes. The iPod kit work pretty well and charges while you drive. It also has a usb port for thumb drives. If you hook it up to your lights and speed sensor cables it will keep computing speed through tunnels and other obstructions and will dim the display when your lights are on. The bluetooth feature works great with my razr phone for hands-free calling and address book sync, but the built-in mic doesn't sound too great from what people tell me. The tuner does a good job for me, although I do get some crackle on the AM with talk radio.

The TomTom software is both Mac and PC compatible and is easy to use for changing voices and revving the software.

Not a bad deal for the $325 it cost me from CC back in December. Installation was easy in my truck using the pre-amp outs.