Toyota Yaris confirmed for India launch; hatchback to feature region-spec changes

Japanese carmaker Toyota seems to leave no stone unturned in the small car segment. The company launched Etios sedan and Liva hatchback in 2010, but failed to make an impact in the segment dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. In its comeback plan, Toyota is reportedly planning to launch Yaris subcompact car from its international portfolio.

"For Toyota, it is very difficult to develop India-specific vehicle," Hindustan Times quoted Akito Tachibana, managing director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, as saying. Toyota would launch Yaris, a subcompact car produced by Toyota since 1999, but would tweak it for Indian road conditions.

However, arrival of Yaris in Indian shores will not happen soon. The carmaker reportedly plans to wait until the safety and emission regulations are simplified. Hence arrival of Yaris can be expected only by the end of 2017 or in 2018.

Yaris will be introduced in India as premium hatchback rivalling Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20. Yaris measures 4,115mm in length, 1,700mm in width and 1,800 in height. The Yaris hatchback is sold in 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine generating 98bhp and 128 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 105bhp and 143Nm of peak torque.

For India, Toyota could offer the option of the 1.4L D-4D 4-cyl diesel engine borrowed from Toyota Etios and Corolla Altis.

Toyota India has also been testing the sedan sibling of Yaris, Vios, for some time. The launch of Vios in India is expected in 2017-2018. The next generation Vios sedan is reportedly being developed by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific in Thailand, with Indian specifications in mind.