Toyota releases details of the new Yaris

The Yaris, called the Vitz in Japan, is now in its third generation, and is expected to go on sale by next year. Overall, the Yaris has grown all around, with the car now 100mm longer than the outgoing model at 3885mm long, and has a 50mm longer wheelbase, but is 30mm lower and has the same width as the current Yaris. The new Yaris is 30kg lighter as well, weighing in at 1000kg.

The exterior design has been given a more chiselled look, with design cues borrowed from the Prius as well as the Verso-S mini MPV. Toyota says that the new Yaris will have a coefficient drag figure of 0.285, and that there will be a variety of in-house designed styling kits and alloy wheel designs to spice up the look of the car.

Inside, the interior have been completely redesigned, and features higher quality materials, better seats, more choices in colours, trim and upholstery, and new options such as a HDD navigation system.

Three petrol engines will be offered for the new Yaris. The first is a base 1.0-litre engine that produces 68bhp. The next engine is a 1.3-litre with 93bhp, while the top-of-the-line unit is a 1.5-litre with 107bhp. The 1.3-litre engine features Dual VVT-i and Stop-Start technology for better fuel consumption. Gearbox options include either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).