Toyota Shows Yaris HSD Concept in Geneva, Production Model to Follow in 2012

Toyota premiered its first superimini hybrid model based on the next-generation Yaris at the Geneva Motor Show today. The Yaris HSD Concept is essentially a teaser version of the production hybrid model that Toyota will launch in Europe in 2012.

In a similar fashion to the Auris HSD before it, the Hybrid Synergy Drive version of the Yaris features some bespoke styling cues that separate it from its conventional sibling. These include the large trapezoidal lower grille, the vertical “aero” corners housed in the front bumper that minimise air turbulence and the rear reflectors in the rear bumper. Other changes include the 18-inch rims, specially designed to aid brake cooling.

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Toyota Patents Designs of Sport Version of New Yaris in Europe

Toyota introduced a new generation of the Yaris supermini in Japan (named Vitz for the local market) in December, 2010, and is also planning to showcase a thinly disguised concept of an upcoming hybrid version of the supermini at the Geneva Motor Show, which will be held for the public from March 3 to 13. But as these trademark fillings from Europe prove, the company is also working on a sport variant, most likely as a replacement to the Yaris TS.

The model seen in these patent designs features a full body kit with a new front bumper that replaces the standard Yaris' front grille with openings next to the headlamps while also boasting daytime LED strips, side skirts and profile graphics, a redesigned rear bumper housing a prominent diffuser, and bespoke tail lamps. The new roof spoiler and the multispoke alloy wheels sum up the differences over the regular Yaris.

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What a Charade...Daihatsu Takes Toyota Yaris Leftovers to Create a New Model

Daihatsu may be getting ready to pull out of the European market, but as a last call, the Japanese firm will introduce one more model to its range, the new Charade. And as you've probably guessed by now, the “new” Charade is in fact a Daihatsu-badged version of the outgoing Toyota Yaris, the successor of which, has already been introduced in Japan and will be showcased through a hybrid study in Geneva. Read more »

New 2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz Breaks Cover in Japan [Photos and Video]

The new Toyota Vitz, or as we'll come to know it on both sides of the Atlantic, the third generation Yaris supermini, was unveiled Wednesday in Japan. Even though what you see pictured here is the Japanese domestic market (JDM) version, as was the case with the previous generations of the Vitz, we expect the European and North American Yaris to look more or less the same when it arrives in the market late next year.

Toyota's newcomer has grown 100mm in length and now measures 3,885mm long, but is 30mm lower while keeping the same width as its predecessor. The Japanese carmaker says numerous weight saving measures has shaved off 30kg or 66 pounds, with the car tipping the scales at 1,000kg or 2,204 pounds (depending on the model).

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New 2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz to be Revealed on December 22, Returns 62.3mpg

Toyota Motor Corp. has confirmed the Japanese market launch date of its all-new Vitz supermini, which we will come to know as the Yaris. Seen for the first time through a series of leaked brochure shots that hit the interwebs earlier this year, the 2012 Vitz will be introduced in Japan on December 22. While Toyota did not say when it will blow the covers off the European and North American market Yaris, expect to see a world premiere at a major car show sometime next year.

The Japanese company said that aside from the edgier design language, the new subcompact will shine in terms of fuel efficiency with the 1.3-liter gasoline engine model, which features a start-stop system, returning up to 26.5km/lt, equal to 62.3 mpg US and 3.8lt/100km, with CO2 emissions of just 88g/km.

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2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz Mini Site Launched in Japan, but Leaked Brochure Shots Reveal All

Toyota is getting ready to present a new generation of its Japanese domestic market Vitz supermini, which we will come to know (with a few changes here and there) as the 2012 Yaris.

For this reason, Toyota launched a mini site teasing the new car through some cropped images and text, which unfortunately, is in Japanese - any help with the translation would be appreciated. From what we understand, the new Vitz / Yaris will either be unveiled or is planned to go on sale in Japan, in December

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Malignant Rumors: Toyota set to build Yaris / Vitz hybrid in Europe next year

Now that hybrid tech is becoming more widespread, Toyota is looking to push its gas-electric offerings down a notch after the not-too-well-received Sai-based Lexus HS. According to Reuters, Toyota ain't scurred of the hit it has recently taken to its hybrid sales and is readying a European-market Yaris (Vitz in Japan) hybrid that will be manufactured in Valenciennes, France next year.

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Paris Preshow: New Toyota Verso-S [Ractis in Japan] small MPV

Toyota has released the first official images of its new MPV contender in the European B-segment today, the Verso-S, ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile in a few weeks time. Japanese shoppers will eventually come to know the Verso-S as the new Ractis in their own market.

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Toyota Releases Pricing on 2011MY Cars and Trucks, Adds Standard Brake Overide Tech

Toyota has announced pricing for its U.S. market 2011 model year line-up, which will begin arriving at dealerships in August, with the exception of RAV4 that goes on sale in September.

The big news for the 2011 lineup is the installation of brake override technology as standard equipment across the range. This technology is designed to stop a car if the brakes and accelerator are applied simultaneously (see Consumer Report's video after the jump) and was adopted by Toyota to ease consumer concerns over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.

Aside from the redesigned 2011 Avalon that was introduced with the safety feature, brake override technology is now standard on the Yaris, RAV4 SUV, Land Cruiser SUV, Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck.

There are more changes on certain models for the 2011 model year that you can check out in detail in the press release after the jump.

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Holy Yaris! Dark Knight Downsizes to Toyota Batmobile

Blame the sluggish economy or the public's increasing environmental conscience, but lately we're seeing a lot of Batman-wannabes trending towards drastically downsized rides like this barely recognizable [...] after its transformation, Toyota Yaris Batmobile. Check out the rest of the photos of this caped crusader's disturbingly wacky ride in the gallery after the jump.

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