Toyota Yaris revealed

The new Yaris is based on the Yaris HSD Hybrid Concept that was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and features Toyota’s new design language, with more angular headlights and more prominent creases in the body, although the general shape is similar to the previous Yaris.

Inside, the biggest change is the relocation of the instrument panel to behind the steering wheel, instead of at the centre of the dashboard like the previous generations of Yaris. This gives the Yaris’ interior a more conventional look, but at the expense of the extra glove box where the instrument panel now sits.

The Yaris is expected to be offered with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine and a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder at launch, while a hybrid version, using Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system and a 1.3 or 1.5-litre engine, is expected to be launched by 2012, to combat Honda’s Jazz Hybrid.