Toyota is preparing to unveil the production ready Yaris Hybrid at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
As the manufacturer’s biggest selling model, the Yaris will be the second car from Toyota to feature its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain when it launches this June.
The decision to make the electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack more compact has resulted in a system that is 20 per cent lighter than the one found in 2011’s Auris Hybrid.
Toyota say that as Europe’s first full hybrid supermini, the 1.5L petrol Yaris Hybrid will deliver quiet, smooth performance with the lowest emissions in its segment without affecting the Yaris’ interior space.
Design wise, the Yaris will look very familiar, instead Toyota’s efforts have been focussed on emissions with drivers being able to choose drive modes that create zero NOx, particulate and CO2 tailpipe emissions. The 98bhp (74kW) powertrain will also aim to deliver fine balance between performance and CO2 emissions.
Along with the Yaris Hybrid, Toyota will use this year’s Geneva show to reveal the FT-Bh concept.
The new ultra-lightweight, full hybrid city car study has been designed to achieve low emissions within an economically viable production framework (i.e. using materials already used across the industry).
The new models will be officially unveiled on Toyota’s stand at the Geneva motor show on Tuesday 6 March.
