At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota wheeled out a hybrid-powered version of its Yaris compact hatchback – the smallest vehicle yet to gain the Japanese giant’s hybrid technology.
Called the Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) the new model is slated for launch in Europe next year.
Clearly more sophisticated and aerodynamic than the conventional Yaris, Toyota says the styling of the Paris HSD concept points to the looks of the all-new Yaris lineup.
The short front and rear overhangs echo the current model, but in profile it’s more sleek, with a long, sweeping roofline.
At the front, the Yaris HSD employs an exaggerated shape for the headlights and a narrow, aerodynamic upper grille. There’s also vertical ‘aero’ corners for the front fog lights.
The rear features a large spoiler and even the 18-inch wheels have an aerodynamic design with styled air gaps for brake cooling.
On the show car, small side view cameras are employed and the door handles shaped – all to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Packaging of the hybrid drive system and related components was a challenge for the Toyota engineers who developed the Yaris HSD – fitting all the extra equipment in without diminishing the passenger and luggage capacity of the compact Yaris.
