Toyota releases official images of 2020 Yaris Hybrid

KUALA LUMPUR: After revealing the 2020 Yaris Hybrid in October last year, the Japanese automaker has released more official images of the sporty hatch. The 2020 Yaris Hybrid is the first model to be based on the new Toyota New Globa Architecture (TNGA), which makes the hatch 30% more rigid and 50 kg lighter than the predecessor. Toyota aims to make it the world’s safest compact car and hence loaded it with ample safety features, passive as well as active systems.

The 2020 Yaris Hybrid gets advanced driver assist systems like lane trace assist system and full speed-range intelligent adaptive cruise control as standard. What’s highlighting in terms of safety is the inclusion of the world’s first-ever centre airbag, which is also regarded as the passive safety feature inside the car. Surely there will be plenty more features to make occupants feel safe inside the cabin, but at the moment, Toyota has revealed only these.

Under the bonnet, the 2020 Yaris Hybrid will feature a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which is capable of churning out 92 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque, and synchronous 80 PS electric motor. The transmission duties on the Yaris Hybrid are handled by a CVT.

The electric motor derives power from the 177.6 V Li-ion battery pack, which is 27% lighter than the previous nickel-metal battery. The combined power output of the new Yaris is 118 PS. As claimed by Toyota, its combined fuel efficiency is 27 kmph and CO2 emissions on the combined cycle are 86 g/km.

The new Yaris Hybrid will be offered in two drive system options, a front-wheel-drive and electric four-wheel-drive (E-Four). The front-wheel-drive version will have MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam axle at the rear end, whereas, the four-wheel-drive variant will use double wishbones at the back and MacPherson struts at the front.

Toyota also plans to introduce 1.5-litre and 1.0-litre three-cylinder combustion-only variants of the 2020 Yaris, details of which to be revealed later. This would complete the Yaris range, with GR Yaris positioned right at the top. For unawares, the GR Yaris is a performance three-door hatch with a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that pumps out 272 PS of power and 370 Nm of peak torque, coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. It also gets two Torsen self-locking differentials and a GR-Four AWD system.

There is a lot to be revealed by the automaker, so stay tuned with us.

Also Read: Toyota Yaris-based SUV to compete against Nissan Juke - Confirmed