Toyota’s Yaris hybrid will offer the same interior space as the conventionally-powered supermini despite having to accommodate the extra technology.

Often hybrids, including Toyota’s Auris, lose boot space as the hybrid system is engineered after the car is developed, but the Synergy Drive system was included in the Yaris powertrain line-up at the development stage- allowing space to be retained.

Toyota chief engineer Hirofumi Yamamoto said: "We have reduced the size of the hybrid components to fit them underneath the bonnet while the battery is small enough to fit underneath the rear passenger seat next to the fuel tank."