Toyota will reveal a new high-performance Yaris model at the Geneva motor show ( 9 – 19 March), taking the spotlight alongside the new Yaris WRC that’s set to make its competition debut next week at the Monte Carlo Rally.
The new derivative is based on a three-door Yaris body and is powered by an engine producing more than 210bhp, forging a link between the Yaris WRC and the standard road-going model range.
At the same time as the new high-performance model makes its debut, the entire Yaris line-up will benefit from design modifications, including new front and rear styling and a modernised interior. A raft of technical modifications is also being introduced to improve overall comfort and handling.
The changes will strengthen Yaris’s appeal, in particular the hybrid version. Yaris Hybrid remains a unique proposition in the small hatch/B-segment and currently accounts for more than 40 per cent of all new Yaris sales in Europe.
Fantastic news -especially the part about it having over 210bhp, i.e. it will be a real hot hatch and not something that’s an “all show and no go” warm hatch.
The only thing that does concern me a bit is that it’s based on a subtle restyle of the current model – I wouldn’t want to be spending a lot of money on this car if it were to be replaced by the next generation model shortly afterwards.
Also I’m not keen on the red and black graphics either – hopefully it will be available without all that for those of us who are a bit more restrained with our styling tastes – I reckon it will look great in Dacuma Grey too – can’t wait to see one in the metal 🙂
Hi Gavin, we’re glad you’re excited about this. Be sure to stay tuned to our social channels and blog for more information after the Geneva Motor Show in March.
As a Yaris Hybrid owner I have a few items on my wish-list that would make me keep with Toyota rather than swap to a full EV (like the Renault Zoe) over the next few years.
1) the Yaris should have something like a 1kWh battery (useable) under the rear seats – giving a 4 mile electric only range – rather than 1 mile we have at the moment,
2) with the larger battery, the car could combine it with an electric heat exchanger to give instant heat and pre-conditioning similar to all electric vehicles – no more de-icing windscreens in the early morning,
3) to have a full battery at home to power the heater the car can do what BMW do and link satnav so car knows to keep the battery charged as you reach home,
4) add a heated steering wheel to go with the heated seats,
5) add a 4 wheel drive option – re-vision the Fiat Panda 4×4,
6) with the larger battery, give the car a 0-60 mph in 7 seconds performance.
Toyota have most of this already designed across different cars so put it all together, in the Yaris, to make the best small car in the world.
Yes I’ll go with that 😉
Congratulations! This high-performance Yaris will have fully independent rear suspension or not?
Hi there,
Thank you for getting in touch. At this moment in time we have no further information regarding the specification of this vehicle! We will be releasing information as soon as we receive anything. Many thanks.
This is the best yaris ever
We’re glad you like it, Dean!
Is this a supercharged version of the 2ZR-FE engine, similar to a Yaris SR 1.8l? The Lotus Elise S engine…
Hi Chris,
Engine details for this vehicle have not yet been released, but we recommend keeping an eye on our blog and social channels for any further information! 😀