Video Presentation – Toyota Yaris 4 (2020): Staying Ahead

For this new Yaris, Toyota has started from a completely white sheet by opening for the occasion a brand new modular platform of the TNGA family, the GA-B, stiffer and lighter than before. Contrary to the general trend, it is 5 mm shorter, at exactly 3.94 m, making it one of the smallest in the class, but its wheelbase increases by 50 mm to 2560 mm. which means the cantilevers have been seriously planed.

Combined with an extra 50 mm overall width (57 mm for the tracks) and 40 mm less height, this gives Yaris a more stocky and dynamic look that's visible at first glance. Aesthetically, the progression compared to her eldest is spectacular: finished the tunes of big toy on legs, it is now much more mature and sporty. And it begins with this very wide mouth in the front shield overcame the aggressive look of the headlights, continues on the flanks with generously inflated wings to end on a rear bumper high, protruding and underlined by a diffuser, which form a rear 3/4 which is not unlike that of the Renault Clio 3 RS. The resemblance stops with a strip of lights in relief, an element found on the entire Toyota range today. The set is balanced and overall successful, with some nice details like the contrasting color roof, the very original shape of the rear windows, the ribs of the hood and the textured black insert of the front bumper. A small flat on the other hand for the front optics to almost generic shape and strongly reminiscent of those of the Ford Fiesta while it is one of the most memorable style elements of the last Corolla.

The longer wheelbase and wider width means that the livability, a weak point of the old Yaris, is significantly improved. Admittedly, the trunk volume stagnates at about 280 liters, we can not expect a miracle in a car less than 4 meters long but we have more legroom in the back and as much space at the level of the head despite the roof 40 mm lower thanks to the lower installation of 60 mm of the seats. And the latter greatly improves another defect, perhaps the worst, of the previous Yaris: the driving position. No more this feeling of sitting on an umpire's chair facing a desperately horizontal steering wheel, we can now adjust the seat flush with the floor and the steering column finally has an acceptable deflection in its settings. This may seem like a detail but it should totally transform driving impressions. And suddenly, we are comfortably installed to contemplate this dashboard of beauty. Particular care was taken in the finish and especially the choice of materials, with foamed plastic and felt on the storm doors, which was also a grievance against the old model.

A much improved driving position and more rear leg room, but the boot volume stagnates.

The Yaris 4 of course takes the opportunity to take stock of high-tech equipment with a large induction smartphone charger, a JBL audio system, a 10-inch color head-up display or a large central floating screen and digital instrumentation. Driving aids are not forgotten with the ambition to be simply the safest car in its class. This involves an adaptive cruise control system that operates to a standstill, a trajectory assistant and a complete set of airbags, including a central, a first on the segment.

In terms of engines, according to Toyota, the hybrid will attract 80% of customers, against 60% previously. Again here, nothing was strictly kept from the previous generation and the 4-cylinder 1NZ-FXE takes a well-deserved retirement. The thermal part is now ensured by a 3-cylinder 1490 cc with Atkinson cycle of 91 hp and 120 Nm – against 75 hp and 111 Nm previously -, with a bore and a stroke of 80.5 x 97.6 mm and a very high compression ratio of 14: 1. This is simply the M20A-FXS of the Corolla 180h which has been amputated a cylinder (which probably allows to call it M15A-FXS), the only difference being the exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head for the 3 cylinders. We also find lightened pistons with reduced friction, the direct injection D-4S and the variable distribution VVT-iE at the intake, VVT-i at the exhaust, which makes it finally dispose of the same performance 40% thermal, one of the best in the world.

Redesigned to be more compact by 9%, the hybrid transaxle assembly still has the same configuration as before with an epicyclic gear train and two electric motors, MG1 and MG2, the first serving as generator and starter, the second, synchronous with permanent magnet, taking care to support the thermal and developing 80 hp and 141 Nm against 61 hp and 169 Nm previously, with a maximum voltage of 580 V.

The 3-cylinder thermal, the transaxle with the transmission and the two electric motors as well as the lithium ion battery on the three main elements of the hybrid system.

Finally, still installed under the rear seat, the battery at the nominal voltage of 177.6 V passes nickel-metal hydride lithium-ion. Its capacity is announced as stable and should therefore remain around 0.936 kWh of the previous one but it is more powerful and lighter by 27% and this does not prevent the Japanese manufacturer to announce that 80% of trips would be made in 100 % electric up to a speed of 120 km / h.

At almost nine months of marketing and nothing is still approved, Toyota is still a bit stingy in terms of numbers and just announced a combined power of at least 15% higher, more than 115 hp ( we believe that it should even approach 130 hp), and a minimum decrease of 20% of consumption and CO2 emissions, respectively less than 3.0 l / 100 km and 70 g / km CO2 in mixed correlated NEDC, values ​​that, if confirmed, would be very impressive.

The Yaris will also be offered with 3 cylinders without hybridization and atmospheric, a 1.0 and a 1.5, without the brand provides more details for now. Presumably, the first would be the well-known 1KR-FE taken from the previous generation, which develops 72 hp and 93 Nm and is associated with a five-speed gearbox while the second is the only thermal part of the new hybrid version , with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Nothing more officially but, unofficially, via Chinese leaks, it could well be the M15A-FKS which offers 117 hp and 146 Nm and which will probably have no trouble to forget the 4 cylinder 1.5 2NR-KFE 111 hp and 136 Nm who had absolutely not convinced us in the Yaris 3.

The first press tests will take place next June but Toyota announces a gap as big in driving between the Yaris Hybrid and his elder than between the Auris and Corolla. This apparent disconnection between the stress of the right pedal and the speed of the engine, so often decried on the previous generation, would be completely eliminated thanks to a distribution of torque now more focused on the thermal than the electric.

It will be necessary to wait until the Geneva Salon 2020 to know the rates and that the few gray areas of the data sheet are cleared up. The start of production, still in Valenciennes, is scheduled for March and marketing in July. However, we can already say that this Toyota Yaris 4 seems to have brilliantly resolved some of its flaws, such as the livability or perceived quality in the cabin. And she will need it because after having done alone for many years as a versatile hybrid, it will finally compete in 2020 with the Honda Jazz hybrid and especially the Renault Clio E-Tech.