The first pictures of Yaris Hybrid have been revealed ahead of the public debut of the car at the Geneva motor show in March.

The new model brings together the ingenious packaging and agile handling of Yaris with the high efficiency and refined driving experience of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.

Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling car in Europe and there are more examples on the road than any other from the company’s present and past model ranges. Yaris Hybrid follows the launch of Auris Hybrid in 2010 as the second core Toyota model to feature full hybrid technology, introducing the powertrain to the largest volume segment in the European market. As the new flagship of the Yaris range, it shares the same new-design “face” of Toyota as its conventionally powered sister models, but places priority on aerodynamic efficiency.

Toyota has downsized its Hybrid Synergy Drive for Yaris, combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack. The result is a system that is 20 per cent lighter than that used in Auris Hybrid. Thanks to all the key HSD components being reduced in size, and the location of the fuel tank and hybrid battery under the rear seat, Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as conventional petrol and diesel Yaris models. The highly efficienct 98bhp (74kW) powertrain will deliver a segment-leading balance of performance and CO₂ emissions. Drivers will also be able to make use of drive modes that create zero NOx, particulate and CO₂ tailpipe emissions.

Automatic air conditioning and e-CVT automatic transmission are fitted as standard, signalling that customers do not have to compromise on comfort in order to achieve low emissions performance.