Toyota released further technical details on the new Yaris Hybrid as we get closer to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, where the car makes its debut.

This hybrid hatch features a a petrol engine as the main source of power, coupled to an electric motor for a combined output of 99bhp  (74kW). This is a compact version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system that is used in larger models, such as Prius and Auris Hybrid.

The petrol engine is a 1.5 liter unit, a smaller version of Prius and Auris’ 1.8 liter. It’s also 16.5 lg lighter than that, which helps with the overall efficiency of the car.

Likewise, other major components such as the electric motor, power control unit and transaxle were also made lighter and smaller: the size of the motor has been reduced by 20 per cent and thePCU12 per cent, compared to those in Auris Hybrid; and the transaxle has shed 11kg and is six per cent shorter.

The battery pack, consisting of nickel-metal components, is clever too. This and the fuel tank are both located under the rear bench seat in a compact package, so neither the interior nor boot space are affected by the hybrid system. You get the same 286 litre luggage capacity as the conventional models.

Sales of the Yaris Hybrid begins from June 2012.