The Detroit show hasn’t even opened its doors to the public but this industry never sleeps – Toyota Motor Europe has just released details of the Yaris Hybrid, a world premiere for March’s Geneva show.
This forthcoming petrol-electric version of the Yaris will be manufactured at TME’s Valenciennes plant in the north of France from later in 2012.
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The launch of the production model follows the global debut of the Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) prototype at the 2011 edition of the Geneva show.
The Yaris Hybrid is to be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in combination with one electric motor. The only transmission will be a CVT.
While certain Toyota and Lexus hybrid models have previously lost large parts of their interior and bootspace to bulky anciliaries, TME claims this won’t be the case with the Yaris. The company says the key HSD components are smaller than their equivalents in the Auris Hybrid. The fuel tank and hybrid battery are under the back seat. The boot capacity is quoted as the same 286 litres as diesel and petrol versions of the Yaris.
As is the case with the Auris Hybrid (and Prius), the Yaris Hybrid will be sold in Europe as a well equipped, premium priced model.
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