Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2012) first official pictures

This is the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid, and although it’s been unveiled on the same day as the world’s motoring media descends upon Detroit for the 2012 North American International Auto Show, it's not there. Instead, the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid won’t actually appear until the Geneva show in early March 2012.

It is, but the Yaris Hybrid has yet to be through the full homologation cycle just yet, as Toyota attempts to drop those fuel economy and emissions figures as low as possible. Still, Toyota promises us that the Yaris Hybrid will deliver ‘segment-leading CO2 emissions’ and its current target is a paltry 80g/km. Honda’s Jazz emits 104g/km, while the cleanest versions of the Auris Hybrid and Prius manage 89g/km CO2.

Rather than using the same 1.8-litre petrol engine found in the Auris Hybrid and the Prius, the Yaris Hybrid is powered by a new 1.5-litre petrol engine. Mated to a more compact electric motor, inverter and battery pack, Toyota claims the Hybrid Synergy Drive system is 20% lighter than that used in the Auris – peak output from the powertrain is 99bhp. And with the fuel tank and battery located under the rear seat, boot space is identical to the conventional petrol and diesel Yarises.  A CVT transmission is standard, and a more aerodynamically efficient bodykit rounds off the list of tweaks.

UK sales commence this summer, and prices are expected to start at less than £16,000.

By Ben Pulman