Small but packed with hybrid technology

JAPANESE carmaker Toyota has launched what it claims is Britain’s most affordably hybrid — the Yaris, which comes in three trim levels, T3, T4 and T Spirit.
The Yaris hybrid brings low emissions, refined performance and the reliability of full hybrid design to the Euro compact car market. You can pop down to your local dealer and order one now, with deliveries scheduled for early July. Prices begin at £14,995, rising to £16,995.
But don’t think that just because it’s small in body size, it’s small in stature. This car is big on clever technology. Every component of the hybrid system has been shrunk and lightened so that it all fits into the Yaris without impacting on space in the cabin and the boot.
The new development of Toyota’s smooth, quiet and highly efficient Hybrid Synergy Drive system, uses a 1.5-litre VVT-i petrol engine, nickel-metal hydride battery pack and CVT (continuously variable transmission). CO2 emissions are 79g/km for the T3and T4 models and 85g/km for the T Spirit; respective official combined cycle fuel consumption figures are 80.7mpg and 76mpg.
The Yaris Hybrid range offers three grades — T3, T4 and T Spirit. All versions have five doors.
Four option packs are available for T4 and T Spirit versions of Yaris Hybrid, neatly bundling complementary style and protection elements. The Protection Pack (£250) provides mudflaps, Hybrid-branded floor mats, black side mouldings and a boot liner.
The Protection+ Pack (£525) provides the same items, plus rear parking sensors and a black rear bumper protector.
The Style Pack (£300) adds Hybrid-branded aluminium scuff plates and chrome-finished side sills and tailpipe trim.
Toyota’s Touch system can be upgraded to Toyota Touch and Go (£650), adding satellite navigation and advanced Bluetooth features, plus the ability to access Google Local Search and connected services, such as live parking and fuel price information and local weather forecasts (enabling these services requires registration via Toyota’s customer web portal, plus compatible mobile phones with appropriate data plans and tethering).
All models are in Band A for Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), which means a zero annual charge; likewise their sub-100g/km emissions gain exemption from the London congestion charge. For company car drivers the benefit-in-kind tax rate is just 10 per cent. Insurance groups are due to be announced in June.