As you probably know, a ‘Toyota Yaris’ hatchback debuted in the United States this spring. However, that one was merely a rebadged Mazda 2 and not the real Yaris. Now, car spotters have finally caught a couple of fourth-gen Yaris prototypes making laps at the North Loop.
Based on the images, Toyota is simultaneously testing two versions of the compact car: Hybrid and Sport. Not much is known about either. In fact, all we know for a fact right now is that the series will make a switch to the contemporary modular architecture known as TNGA-B. The car will mostly keep its original dimensions, but the fenders, doorframes and windows will be all redesigned from scratch.
The fourth-gen Yaris will ship with a much humbler assortment of engines than its predecessor did. Specifically, the current generation offers a choice among four gasoline powertrains rated between 69 and 212 hp (51 – 158 kW), a diesel one capable of 90 hp (42 kW) and a hybrid one rated at 100 hp (75 kW). The next one will drop all of these, except the hybrid one. The Sport version will be based on the 1.2-liter turbo-four engine of the latest C-HR and Corolla, which produces around 116 hp (86 kW).
A high-end Yaris GRMN will complement the series in the future. In its current implementation, the GRMN specification offers a choice between a 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder gasoline engine (212 hp / 158 kW), a naturally aspirated one (111 hp / 83 kW), and a diesel engine that will most likely be dropped, too. On the other hand, an electrified GRMN will be available.
The official premiere won’t happen until 2020.