New Toyota Yaris spied testing at the Nurburgring

The Japanese firm’s latest supermini has been spotted in its new body for the first time, haring around the Green Hell

The all-new Toyota Yaris has been caught on camera undergoing testing at the Nurburgring wearing its final production bodywork. The supermini will move to Toyota’s tried and tested TNGA platform, which also underpins the Prius, C-HR and Camry hybrids.

Previous sightings of the next Yaris have been limited to that of prototypes trailing new chassis components under the disguise of the existing model. However, these spy shots provide our first glimpse at the styling of the next generation supermini, which looks set to grow in size and gain sharper exterior styling. 

Best hatchbacks to buy

This latest prototype appears to be a standard version of the new Yaris, as hinted by its taller ride height and increased body roll. Our previous spy shots showed the sportier Yaris GR variant, which will bridge the gap between the hybrid-only GR Sport and full-fat GRMN hot hatch.

Toyota’s middling GR trim will rival cars such as Vauxhall’s Corsa GSI, with around 140bhp and a selection of high-performance chassis tweaks. A Toyota spokesperson suggested the next-generation GRMN would be “quite nutty” suggesting a more hardcore rival to the latest Ford Fiesta ST.

Using Toyota’s TNGA platform should make the new Yaris better to drive than before. It’ll also provide access to a wide range of hybrid powertrains, though it’s not yet clear whether it’ll be offered as a pure EV. 

The new Yaris will make its domestic market debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, but that car will differ slightly to the European model we’ll get in the UK. That version isn’t due for reveal until later in 2020, with a launch date pencilled in for early the following year.

New Toyota Yaris spied testing 

The all-new Toyota Yaris has been spotted testing for the very first time, ahead of a launch scheduled towards the end of next year. The supermini will move to Toyota’s tried and tested TNGA platform, which also underpins the Prius, C-HR and Camry hybrids.

Spied testing at the Nurburgring race track in Germany, the new Yaris looks set to gain a lengthened wheelbase, which will make it more spacious inside than the current car. But don’t be fooled by the familiar styling – the design will differ, too, despite the fact that this mule appears to use a modified version of the existing model’s bodywork.

• Best hatchbacks to buy

Using Toyota’s TNGA platform should make the new Yaris better to drive than before. It’ll also provide access to a wide range of hybrid powertrains, though it’s not yet clear whether it’ll be offered as a pure EV. Going by Toyota’s ‘right car, right time’ mantra, it’s highly likely that an electric variant will appear at some point in the car’s lifecycle.

The car in these pictures, however, looks to be the sportier Yaris GR variant, which will bridge the gap between the hybrid-only GR Sport and full-fat GRMN hot hatch. The middling GR will rival cars such as Vauxhall’s Corsa GSI, with around 140bhp and a selection of high-performance chassis tweaks. A Toyota spokesperson suggested the next-generation GRMN would be “quite nutty” suggesting a more hardcore rival to the latest Ford Fiesta ST. 

The new Yaris will make its domestic market debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, but that car will differ slightly to the European model we’ll get in the UK. That version isn’t due for reveal until later in 2020, with a launch date pencilled in for early the following year.

Are you excited about the forthcoming Toyota Yaris? Let us know in the comments below…

Source: Read Full Article