Toyota's much-awaited new Yaris Hybrid has at last arrived in Irish dealerships and will cost €23,055, or just €143 per month on a Toyota Finance package.
Fourth-generation hybrid tech
The Yaris Hybrid uses a new hybrid powertrain, based around Toyota's equally-new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. Toyota says that this is 'Fourth-Generation' hybrid technology (the previous Yaris Hybrid having been a second-gen model, apparently) and that, compared to the previous version, overall efficiency has improved by 20 per cent.
What does that actually mean? Well, it means CO2 emissions of just 88g/km on the WLTP emissions test (for comparison, on the old NEDC test, this new Yaris Hybrid could have potentially scored a 64g/km rating...) and claimed average fuel economy, again on the WLTP test, of 3.9 litres per 100km (that's 72.4mpg). Better still, Toyota claims that the new Yaris can, potentially, spend as much as 80 per cent of any given journey on electric power alone.
Time spent on just the battery
Is that a credible claim? Well, it comes with a few caveats regarding where and how you're driving, but Toyota's hybrids were independently tested (albeit at the request of Toyota) by University College Dublin a couple of years back, and UCD found that the cars were spending as much as 70 per cent of urban journeys on battery power, so there's certainly something in it. There's actually a little indicator in the dash display that tells you how much time you've spent in electric mode, so hopefully, buyers will see that as a challenge to exceed.
In terms of performance, overall power has increased to 116hp, and the 0-100km/h time has come down to 9.7 seconds.
In terms of style, the Yaris Hybrid doesn't look any different to the regular petrol-engined version that we've already driven, sticking closely to the same 'Condensed and Agile' design language. Inside, there are nice touches such as felt-lined door panels and a soft-touch dash fascia.
There's also a lot of standard safety equipment, including such 'Toyota Safety Sense' active systems as Lane Trace Assist, Emergency Steering Assist and Intersection Turn Assistance.
Aims to be the safest small car
The functionality of the Pre-Collision System has been increased so that it can detect pedestrians by day and night and cyclists in daytime driving. There's also offers segment-first 'Intersection Turn Assistance' to recognise collision risks with oncoming traffic and pedestrians when making a turn at a crossroads, and it is the first Toyota to be equipped with centre airbags which help prevent driver and passenger colliding with each other in a side impact. Toyota says that it aims to make the new Yaris the world's safest small car.
Other standard equipment includes LED headlamps, an eight-inch touchscreen, 'Smart Entry' and special ambient cabin lighting around the driver's cockpit. The steering wheel size has been reduced, says Toyota, for better visibility "supporting the 'eyes on the road, hands on the wheel' concept."
Steve Tormey, Chief Executive of Toyota Ireland commented on the announcement: "The Yaris is a much loved and iconic model in the Toyota range and we're delighted to introduce the new self-charging hybrid to Ireland. The Yaris will be our most efficient hybrid to date and is in EV mode up to 80 per cent of the time. Along with this we have introduced a range of safety equipment, aiming to make the Yaris the safest compact car. As the Yaris is our most affordable hybrid, we're democratising safety so everyone has access to it to the most up-to-date safety technology. With its 'ready to go' style and unrivalled combination of engaging performance and outstanding economy this car will be perfect for customers with an eye for design, a desire to make sustainable choices."