New Toyota Yaris Hybrid Claims Better Power and Economy

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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15th November 2019

Toyota has unveiled its new Yaris Hybrid claiming more power and better economy from its trusted 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain.

The automaker says power is up by 15%, economy improved by 20% thanks mainly to improvements to the gasoline three-cylinder motor which now claims a 40% increase in thermal efficiency. It says the prototypes were tested exhaustively in European urban environments including Rome, Paris, and Darmstadt. The real-world tests claim its test mules achieved 80% of the average journey times as zero emission vehicles.

Toyota’s fourth generation hybrid technology is directly derived from the larger, 2.0 and 2.5-liter systems that were introduced in the past year in the new Corolla, RAV4 and Camry models. As such the smaller engine benefits from measures to reduce internal friction and mechanical losses and achieving maximum combustion performance, claiming the world’s fastest combustion speed, supporting high torque at low engine speeds and fuel efficiency.

Its hybrid transaxle has been redesigned, adopting a dual axis structure that reduces its size by 9%.

A new lithium-ion hybrid battery has been installed claiming increased output while being 27% lighter than the nickel-metal hydride battery it replaces. In selected markets, the new Yaris will also be available with 1.5 and 1.0-liter versions.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_