Toyota has added a new member to the 4th generation Yaris family which includes the GR Yaris hot hatch. This time, the GA-B platform has carved out what Toyota calls a “compact SUV”.
As for the styling, the Yaris Cross indeed looks like an SUV; neither the front nor the rear fascias remind us of the regular Yaris hatchback or the GR hot hatch. The side profile looks pretty unique too. The one styling element that’s sort of relatable to the hatchback is the black roof, blacked-out A- and B-pillars and partially blacked-out C-pillar. What the Yaris Cross reminds us, however, is the new RAV4.
The design is a collaboration between European and Japanese studios. The keywords for the design were apparently ‘Robust’ and ‘Minimalistic’.
The Yaris Cross measures 4,180 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width and 1,560 mm in height. The wheelbase of 2,560 mm is identical to the Yaris hatchback, while the ground clearance is up by 30 mm.
When we started to sketch ideas for the exterior, the iconic image of a diamond consistently came to mind. Subsequently, we coined the phrase ‘nimble diamond’ to express the hard, strong and premium image of the gemstone combined with the agile and fun to drive personality we felt the car needed to convey.
From the top view, or plan view as we call it, we ‘cut’, or ‘shaved’ the body to give us a diamond shape that allowed us the space to emphasize the fenders. This diamond body shape combined with the 4 bold fenders gave us an energetic shape which was both strong and sophisticated. – Lance Scott, Design General Manager at Toyota’s EDD studio, Nice, France
The example here is finished in an exterior color called ‘Brass Gold’.
Unlike the exterior, the interior reminds us of the Yaris hatchback with similar features and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The rear seats can split 40:20:40 for added practicality.
Just like the GR Yaris hot hatch, the Yaris Cross too appears to be only for the European and Japanese markets; the latter is yet to be confirmed. It’ll be available in petrol and petrol-electric hybrid powertrains.
The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder unit, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. For those who want to experience Toyota’s latest hybrid technology, there’s a combination of a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and two electric motors (only one motor for FWD variants), a setup similar to that of the new Harrier. The hybrid system’s output in the Yaris Cross is claimed to be 116 hp. The engine’s thermal efficiency is rated at 40%, which is claimed to be greater than comparable diesel engines.
Toyota added that the new Yaris Cross has been designed and developed for Europe, specifically to meet the requirements and preferences of the region’s B-SUV market. It will be made in Europe too, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF), alongside the new generation Yaris hatchback, from 2021.
Also read: Petition asks Toyota to import GR Yaris to North America
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