Report: Toyota planning cheaper, Yaris-based hybrid, could arrive in 2011
2008 Toyota Yaris – Click above for high-res image gallery
According to a report originating from a Japanese newspaper, Toyota is planning to add another smaller, cheaper hybrid to its global lineup. The new model would be based on the Yaris sub-compact and be priced well below the current cheapest hybrid: the Honda Insight. This would be consistent with Toyota's oft-repeated plans to launch hybrid variants of almost every vehicle it sells over the next decade. The price in Japan could reportedly be as low as $15,650, and according to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Yaris hybrid could achieve a fuel efficiency rating as high as 94 mpg!
Unfortunately, this is based on the same Japanese 10-15 urban test cycle that rated the new Prius at 89 mpg. While it's not unusual for dedicated hyper-milers to rack up those kinds of numbers, they are utterly unrealistic in real world driving conditions. Most likely we'll end up with EPA ratings in the low 50s and real world performance in the high 40s for most drivers. Although the Yaris is smaller than the Insight, Honda will have something to worry about if this new hybrid makes those kinds of mileage numbers and hits that price point.
Gallery: Review: 2008 Toyota Yaris 3-door
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
locoyocal 4:43PM (8/13/2009)
the yaris hybrid was in response to the fit hybrid...
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Chris M 5:51PM (8/13/2009)
Interesting that both the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris were subject to rumors of upcoming hybridization, then official denials, but the rumors wouldn't go away, so they sort of said, well, maybe we will after all.
For both the Fit and Yaris hybrid projects, the timing and quantity of their first release depends a lot on the price and availability of hybrid batteries. If the supply of batteries is short or the price high, the introductions will be delayed, but if production ramps up soon and costs drop then they might arrive early!
dg 4:44PM (8/13/2009)
Now THAT is something I could buy. Too bad the CARS program won't still be running when this sucker comes out.
I want a small, 50+mpg hybrid with no fuckin' GPS or giant LCD's. I just want to drive the thing, and listen to an iPod maybe, but I'm good with a tape player to plug in my iPod too. Get this sucker down to 12,000 for me. I don't need no power windows or locks either.
COME ON!!!!!!
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3PeaceSweet 4:49PM (8/13/2009)
The Yaris is a good platform for a hybrid, and adding electric assist to the 1 litre 3 cylinder engine would boost performance.
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wincros 4:54PM (8/13/2009)
And back in May...
TOKYO/TORRANCE, California — The Honda Fit will become even more fuel-efficient in the near future. The automaker on Wednesday announced plans to launch a hybrid version of the car in the early 2010s. At the same time, Honda spelled out more details regarding its all-new dedicated hybrid vehicle that will butt heads with Toyota's 2010 Prius.
More here:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=126385
It is interesting that although the Prius is a big resounding success Toyota seems to be very worried about Honda. They dropped the price of the old Prius in Japan to compete against the Insight. Here they stripped lots of content out of their new $30,000 Prius to get close to the price of the Insight. Now they think that the Fit Hybrid is worth competing with. You would think they would be creating the market place instead of reacting to it.
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locoyocal 5:48PM (8/13/2009)
Not really. When your the market leader, you have very little incentive to innovate.
A simple example in sail boat racing. If the lead boat always copies the 2nd boat, it will win the race.
In the market place, there are even more advantages. Ie. lower costs by copying techniques etc.
dg 6:04PM (8/13/2009)
Unless the 3rd boat is copying the second boat too, then at the end it does it's own thing and passes them both and wins the race!!!!
Oh man, I'm really pumped. Is this going to be made into a movie?
skierpage 8:19PM (8/13/2009)
@wincros,
That was May 2008. Now Toyota has a 50mpg mid-size car on sale and Honda has a smaller car with worse mileage.
You would think that someone willing to drive a smaller car could get better mpg, but I don't know how IMA and HSD engineering scales. In Europe small cars beat the Prius using small efficient diesels.
locoyocal 10:41PM (8/13/2009)
DG, that is correct. That is Nissan.
ilovekonankun 9:20PM (8/13/2009)
It's not Honda. It's Toyota who really worried about the Honda fit hybrid. I agree the comment by Wincros.
Yaris hybrid comes one year behind Honda fit hybrid.
If Toyota and Honda fight in small hybrid class, Honda has big advantage due to its less expensive simple hybrid system, although Toyota claims it can achieve the similar cost level.
It seems this is another Honda's excellent strategy.
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