Toyota revealed a hybrid of the new-gen Yaris hatchback, set for debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
As far as hybrids go, the Yaris hybrid is going to be a good one. It’s a small city car which is hugely efficient in its own right. Now add Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive and their years of experience in selling hybrids to the equation and you realize this is a serious contender.
Although still recognizable as a Yaris, the hybrid version has its own unique styling cues along the line with Toyota’s hybrid family. The main feature is a new, more assertive Under Priority trapezoid opening frontal design element with the Keen Look design implemented on the front lamps.
As for the powertrain, it’s got a new, 1.5 litre petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack, the new system is 20% lighter than that of an Auris Hybrid. The output is rated at 74 kW/100 DIN hp.
The real beauty of this car however, is that despite all the green credentials, it is still a practical hatchback with the same 286 litre luggage capacity to that of the conventional models, and air conditioning and automatic transmission installed as standard.
Official fuel economy figures are yet to be revealed,
