I heard a rumor of a Yaris Hybrid? Anyone else?

Toyota Adjusts Yaris Future - Hybrid Yaris also planned - Motor Trend

Toyota Yaris: Toyota plans to make hybrid model

Similar:

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-hybrids/76354-auris-hybrid.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/interna...a-auris-hybrid-due-in-europe-july-2010-a.html

 

Yeah the Auris hybrid is now on the road. A member of their sales team told me every single model will also be offered as a hybrid by 2020. The Avensis is manufactured at the same plant as the Auris hybrid in the UK, so I guess that will be next. It would be odd to have the Auris and Avensis driving round with the exact same engine though, and at 3,300+ pounds (for the 2.0 petrol) it's quite a heavy car.

Unless they can really reduce the cost of the hybrid system it seems like it would be hard to get it into the Yaris and still be a sensible price.

 

Why would they need to build an Avensis hybrid when the Prius has that segment of the market pretty much covered. An Avensis Hybrid Estate would be interesting to me though.

And it wouldn't take much for Toyota UK to bring a RHD Camry Hybrid to these shores.

 

I'm just thinking that if they wish to get them in every model (as much for green cred and lower fleet emissions as actual profit) then they'd go for the quick wins.

Agreed on the estate, that would be a prime seller for reps...

 

FYI,
Following is recent Japanese rumors about the Toyota's next compact hybrid.

• it is not Yaris (Japanese brand Vitz) Hybrid, but it'll have Prius brother brand name
• the concept was introduced as FT-CH
• it will use Gen2 Prius power unit for cost reduction
• its fuel economy number will be more than 10% improvement than the Gen3 Prius
• it will be launched late 2011

Ken@Japan

 

Looks like a Nissan Leaf with a mean body kit on.

 

Young people can buy a Prius too

But that concept as well as the new Honda are both really cool looking.

 

FT-CH is just showroom concept car. I have seen (touched) it. So don’t except to get it any soon. It has very cool seat’s inside and it feels (looks) like sport car more than hybrid vehicle.

I have some more pics of it on my other computer, so if someone wants them I can upload them later.

No, I didn’t drive it, like I say, it looks like it’s never mentioned to drive, just show off.

 

FYI,
FT-CH press release
FT-CH image library

Ken@Japan

 

The concept picture reminds me of the concept Gen III Prius ... which looked nothing like the real Gen III that eventually came to be.

 

Check out the Toyota Australia website mate we make Camry right hand drive Hybrids here in Melbourne great cars!!!!
I do drive a 2010 Prius though!

 

Yeah they were the RHD ones I was refering to, but thanks for letting me know anyway. It wouldn't take much to Europeanise them, a new boot to allow our longer licence plates, rear fog light and a mph speedo. The Camry was dropped from the UK range back in about 2002 as its V6 engine didn't sell well here with our fuel costs. Not an issue with a hybrid though.

I have dropped Toyota UK an email hoping it makes its way to the right department but I didn't receive a response. It would help the Aussie factory that makes them and would be a cheap way to introduce a larger hybrid to the UK range.

The one thing a lot of the guys at work say when we talk about the Prius is that they like it but wish it was bigger! If they did I'm sure they'd sell loads, but the UK gets lumped in with the rest of Europe and I can't imagine bigger cars selling well in Spain or Italy where parking space is at a premium.

Maybe you should contact Toyota in Oz as it would be a great sales opportunity if they could make it work.

 

You mean Anglicise them! The rest of Europe is LHD.

 

I meant make them comply to relevant legislation, crash testing, emissions etc.

But in support of my idea, the Holden Monaro sold on these shores under the Vauxhall badge, despite the massive engine. Ok, not in great numbers but I think a hybird Toyota would sell better than a 6 litre Vauxhall/Holden.

There again, if I knew anything I would be earning big bucks working for Toyota and not driving a cab in Harrogate!

 

It's all part of the acceptance and mainstreaming of Hybrids.

Whether a Yaris hybrid would be your vehicle of choice or ideal for your personal lifestyle is inmaterial to everyone- except yourself.

Evidently Honda plans to release a Hybrid version of The Fit. I think HSD is a superior hybrid system to IMA BUT have to admit that my love of my regular Fit would make me at least take a look at a Hybrid model if Honda can maintain the Magic Seats and offer a significant MPG improvement.

But Yaris hybrids? Sure why not? I say bring them on. The more choices the better. A Yaris with a HSD based Hybrid system would be more appealing to me than a Fit with IMA. Even though I like the Fit much more than the Yaris.