The new Toyota Yaris will be developed on the TNGA platform of the brand

Toyota has published the first details about its upcoming GA-B platform, the smallest member of the TNGA architecture that will form the basis of the next-generation Toyota Yaris. As with the rest of the TNGA-based models, the GA-B is designed to maximize the car’s handling characteristics. The lower body is “highly rigid” thanks to stronger joints in the structure, while the suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam or multi-link units at the rear.

The new small-car platform of Toyota also allows the driver’s seat to be placed low and toward the center of the car, ensuring a more engaging driving position and a lower centre of gravity.

It also features a rather intelligent packaging to offer the most spacious cabin possible. Toyota uses standardized components across the TNGA platforms in areas out of sight, which simplify the whole process without creating cars that look alike.

The hard points of the upper body, along with the driver’s hip point, are set low, giving designers the freedom to create lower and wider cars. Combine this with very short overhangs and it’s easy to understand why the next Yaris, which has already been spotted in prototype testing, looks much sportier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2DNz9JzVFk

GA-B, the new small version of the TNGA platform

Toyota says it will use the GA-B version in vehicles of different sizes and body types, with different wheelbase lengths, heights and track widths. Since SUVs are fashionable all over the world these days, it could mean they intend to create a new small crossover that will sit below the Toyota C-HR in their range.

The front of the 2020 Toyota Yaris will be dominated by a large cascading grille, very similar to the one fitted to the Hyundai Veloster. This front end will be accompanied by fog light housings and dynamic LED headlights. Where it gets interesting is within the expressive side profile, with the short rear doors that almost exude a cartoonish look and a straight downward crease that starts from the front wheel arch toward the B-pillar.

In contrast, a radial crease sweeps upward over the rear wheels toward the full-width tail lights. A high-mounted diffuser panel and a large rear window complete what is a more eye-catching appearance than the current model. Occupants will enjoy a completely contemporary, high-quality interior with smart packaging and connectivity. An echo of the centre-mounted touchscreen found in the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla will offer a display screen for the first time. Other benefits include Qi wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We expect the ToyotaSafety Sense 2.0 driver assistance suite to be standard, including: pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist and road edge detection, radar cruise control with stop & go, lane trace assist, automatic high beam assist and road sign recognition.

It may not be fully electric, however, the big news is that there will be a hybrid option. We’re not clear on what combination of petrol and electric motors it will get; most likely it will pair a 1.2-litre turbo or a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackToyota Yaris9 versions · from 24,550 €