The general idea with the Yaris Hybrid – as with the standard Yaris – is to keep things small. For the gas-electric version, this applies to vehicle size, CO2 emissions, the size of the Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain and the price. Toyota isn’t ready to give out the exact price just yet, but it did say the Yaris Hybrid was “developed to be the most affordable full hybrid in Europe.” Two things are not reduced: interior luggage space compared to the standard powertrain and Toyota’s intentions for the car. The Yaris is already Toyota’s biggest seller in Europe and the company is calling the Hybrid model “the new flagship of the Yaris range.”
The Yaris Hybrid will get its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March and, based on previous reports, we expect it to be build in France at Toyota’s Valenciennes plant alongside other Yarises.
First pictures of the production Yaris Hybrid
KEY POINTS
First full hybrid model in the European B-Segment
Downsided full hybrid powertrain delivers segment-leading CO2 emissions
No compromise on performance, with maximum 98bhp(74kW)
Clever packaging delivers identical occupant and luggage space as conventional Yaris models
Developed to be the most affordable full hybrid in Europe
World premiere at Geneva motor show, on sale in the UK early summer
The first pictures of Yaris Hybrid have been revealed ahead of the public debut of the car at the Geneva motor show in March.
The new model brings together the ingenious packaging and agile handling of Yaris with the high efficiency and refined driving experience of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.
Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling car in Europe and there are more examples on the road than any other from the company’s present and past model ranges. Yaris Hybrid follows the launch of Auris Hybrid in 2010 as the second core Toyota model to feature full hybrid technology, introducing the powertrain to the largest volume segment in the European market.
As the new flagship of the Yaris range, it shares the same new-design “face” of Toyota as its conventionally powered sister models, but places priority on aerodynamic efficiency.
Toyota has downsized its Hybrid Synergy Drive for Yaris, combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack. The result is a system that is 20 per cent lighter than that used in Auris Hybrid.
Thanks to all the key HSD components being reduced in size, and the location of the fuel tank and hybrid battery under the rear seat, Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as conventional petrol and diesel Yaris models.
The highly efficienct 98bhp (74kW) powertrain will deliver a segment-leading balance of performance and CO2 emissions. Drivers will also be able to make use of drive modes that create zero NOx, particulate and CO2 tailpipe emissions.
Automatic air conditioning and e-CVT automatic transmission are fitted as standard, signalling that customers do not have to compromise on comfort in order to achieve low emissions performance.
