Toyota's first all-new light car since 2011, the 2020 Toyota Yaris hatchback has been revealed and confirmed for Australian release in the first half of next year, complete with the option of hybrid power for the first time.
Although you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for the GR-badged hot hatch variant to come, even the mainstream version of Toyota’s smallest model will come with a more curvaceous body punctuated by an aggressive front-end with a huge grille, angry LED headlights and a bulging bonnet.
The rear-end of the new-generation Toyota Yaris has also had a major rework and now sports a full-width black strip that connects the tail-lights and a matching gloss-black roof.
Toyota has confirmed the new Yaris will sit on the GA-B version of Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which is claimed to shed up to 50kg in vehicle weight.
It will be offered with two drivetrains: a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain incorporating the same engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.
Australians won’t see the 1.0-litre triple and no power outputs or fuel consumption details have been confirmed, but both front-drive powertrains will be paired with a CVT automatic transmission (and a six-speed manual for the non-hybrid model).
All-wheel drive versions of both 1.5-litre models will be offered in Japan from April 2020, the hybrid version debuting an optional new E-Four electric AWD system.
Suspension comprises MacPherson struts up front and a torsion-beam rear-end (double-wishbone for AWD models), with a number of enhancements made to the body including reinforcements in the cowl, rear pillar, tunnel, rear wheelhouse and the addition of a stiffer dashboard panel.
Toyota has previously confirmed a number of benefits thanks to the new platform, including an optimised driving position, 30 per cent more body rigidity and 15mm lower centre of gravity.
The new Yaris also gets a more spacious cabin thanks to a wheelbase that’s 50mm longer. Despite being 40mm lower and 5mm shorter overall, Toyota says headroom isn’t compromised thanks to clever packaging.
In a first for the Japanese car-maker, the new Yaris will debut a centre airbag to protect front-seat occupants from clashing heads during side impact collisions.
Alongside that, Toyota promises a more advanced version of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that -- beyond detecting vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists – is claimed to prevent accidents by detecting oncoming vehicles when turning right at an intersection and pedestrians crossing the road when turning right or left.
Other safety systems will include Low Speed Acceleration Control, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, Road Side Assist and Secondary Collision Brake, although these are also yet to be confirmed for Australia.
Nor have other new technologies for Toyota, including an Advanced Park self-parking system, Turn Tilt Seats that facilitate easier ingress/egress, 10-inch head-up display and a 1500-Watt accessory power outlet for hybrid models.
However, Aussie cars should come with a new tablet-style infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard across the range.
Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley said the new Yaris has been designed to be the safest in its class while offering low running costs.
“It offers responsive new drivetrains with the lowest possible running costs and class-leading safety while being agile and easy to park in the city as well as comfortable on longer journeys,” he said.
The all-new Yaris will make its global debut at next week’s 2019 Tokyo motor show, before arriving Down Under following its Japanese release next February.