Due for launch during the second half of 2020, the new Toyota Yaris promises fleets significant advances in design and engineering, plus improved efficiency.

Featuring Toyota’s fourth generation hybrid technology, the new lithium-ion hybrid battery is more powerful and 27% lighter than the nickel-metal hydride battery it replaces: offering increased output and quicker vehicle acceleration, as a result.

The car will be able to run on full electric, but there are currently no details on range.

World’s fastest 

The hybrid system features Toyota’s a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve-timing. Work to reduce internal friction and mechanical losses and optimise combustion performance has, according to the manufacturer, resulted in the engine having the world’s fastest combustion speed, supporting high torque at low engine speeds and improved fuel efficiency.

As a result, Toyota says the petrol unit achieves 40% thermal efficiency – which is higher than comparable diesel engines – helping to achieve an improvement of more than 20% in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. At the same time, power is up 15% and “power delivery has been refined to give a confident and natural driving feel”.

In selected markets, the new Yaris will also be available with 1.5 and 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines. Details of these powertrains will be released at a later date.

Modular platform

It’s the first model to be built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-B modular platform for small cars. This, says the manufacturer, is “the foundation for radically improved dynamic performance, safety and design freedom of the kind already witnessed in other TNGA-based Toyota models, such as the new Corolla, C-HR and RAV4”.

The new Yaris is also designed to be “the world’s safest compact car”, featuring advances in both active and passive safety systems. Standard features on all models include full speed-range intelligent adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist; features shared with the recently launched new Toyota Corolla.

Additionally, it will be the first car in its segment to be fitted with a centre airbag.

Details of the UK model range, technical and equipment specifications and prices will be announced in 2020, nearer the on-sale date.

Read the latest Toyota company car reviews here.