According to the report, the new hybrid will share the platform and engine with the Yaris, not the ones used for the current version, but one to be released next year. Autonews writes the new hybrid will make use of a more cost effective and more fuel-efficient hybrid system than the one used on the Prius.
As for the market segment it is intended for the future hybrid will take on rival Honda's Fit/Jazz, also set to debut next year in Japan. Toyota's hybrid is expected to be priced at around 1.5 million yen ($15,760) in Japan.
Should this be true, the new hybrid will join the recently announced Auris hybrid, scheduled to enter production in Burnaston, UK in the near future. It too is expected to take on Honda's Insight. Rumors say the Auris hybrid will rely on a 1.8-liter Atkinson gasoline engine developing 98 bhp connected to an electric unit that also generates 80 bhp.
When this was announced, Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the redesigned, third-generation Toyota Prius did say the company is looking into creating hybrid versions of the Yaris and Vitz as well.
"We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight. We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz and Yaris."
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