Toyota has introduced a new subcompact car architecture it called the GA-B. Loosely based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), it will likely find its first implementation in the upcoming 2020 Toyota Yaris (see video).
The main feature of the GA-B layout is that it places all the drivetrain units at the bottom of the car cabin, thus avoiding altering its exterior design in any way. The driver’s seat lies as low as possible straight in the middle of the wheelbase, and the wheels are spaced wider apart for greater maneuverability.
The GA-B platform supports two drive configurations: FWD and AWD. The front suspension is based on McPherson shocks and several selectable kinds of springs, while the rear suspension can be either per-wheel/multi-link, or semi-dependent/torsion beam-based.
It seems obvious that the Yaris will benefit much from the platform switch. The flexibility of the GA-B and the fact that it prioritizes the driver’s needs enables the creation of a hatchback that is not only good-looking, but is also a pleasure to drive.