Toyota brings style and sophistication to its Yaris Cross hybrid compact SUV with a refreshed look for the innovative and efficient European best seller.

Built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France, the Yaris Cross emphasises the essential Yaris family qualities of ingenuity and innovation in packaging, powertrains and safety. Those strengths are combined in a compact SUV package, created for the lifestyles of European customers.

As a result, the Yaris Cross has been a hit across the continent since its launch in 2021, becoming Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in Europe, with 200,000 units sold in 2025. Customers consistently choose the Yaris Cross for its distinctive compact SUV character, as well as its efficient and responsive performance.

Inspired by Toyota’s commitment to kaizen – continuous improvement – the latest updates embody a spirit of uncompromising refinement and evolution to ensure the Yaris Cross continues to offer a compelling all-round package in the B-SUV segment.

The latest Yaris Cross range, in Mid, Mid+, High and GR SPORT grades, will be available to order later this month.*

Refined new look

Toyota has introduced a clean and confident update, centred on a newly designed front, to ensure the latest Yaris Cross stands out on urban streets like never before.

The distinctive new front grille, with bold honeycomb pattern, is finished in the body colour to seamlessly integrate for an elegant, modern look. A black lower section combines with the flared wheel arches to maintain a strong SUV stance.

Redesigned LED headlamps sharpen the overall impression and include integrated daytime running lights as standard. Meanwhile, new alloy wheels on higher grades – 17-inch on Mid+, 18-inch on High – further elevate the appearance.

Additionally, two new colours have been added to the palette. The rich and distinctive Precious Bronze will be available exclusively in bi-tone with contrasting black roof and pillars. It joins the expressive Celestite Grey, which replaces the previous Shimmering Silver option.

Inside the cabin, a platinum colour door trim creates a sophisticated first impression when entering the vehicle, and this sits in harmony with the platinum colour strip on the instrument panel. This attention to detail elevates the unified and modern interior feel.

The Mid+ grade now includes the sporty-shaped seat – with more comfort and better lateral support – that was previously reserved for the High grade. It features the same platinum colour insert and a contrasting three-tone stitching for a refined feel.

A partial‑leather trim, with contrasting shoulder and bolster highlights, is introduced to the High grade. This includes the new and sophisticated SakuraTouch® material, which incorporate plant-derived PVC, waste cork, and recycled PET, ramp up the style while reducing CO2 emissions during material production by 95% compared to genuine leather.**

On Mid+ and above, ambient lighting adds a further touch of elegance, and a wireless charger brings convenience. A power back door is also offered as standard on the High grade. Automatically retracting external mirrors are included on all models.

GR SPORT

Inspired by the multiple World Championship-winning achievements of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the Yaris Cross GR SPORT features exclusive exterior and interior features and retuned suspension for sharper, more rewarding handling.

A more technical, performance-driven appearance begins with a unique front bumper. It incorporates exclusive side pods at each lower end, emphasising its wide, athletic stance, which is enhanced by dedicated 18-inch machined alloy wheels.

In the cabin, GR SPORT exclusive suede type sports seats with grey upholstery and red stitching deliver a premium feel and enhanced support, combining everyday comfort with a distinctly sporty character. The GR logo is featured on the front headrests and steering wheel, and there are GR SPORT-specific gunmetal silver trim inserts in the doors and instrument panel.

The Yaris Cross GR SPORT is available exclusively in FWD specification with the Hybrid 130 powertrain. Standard equipment includes ambient lighting, wireless charger, Blind Spot Monitor and power back door.

FWD and AWD choices

The Hybrid 130 powertrain is at the heart of the latest Yaris Cross line-up and is available with a choice of drive type. Customers can choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) or the additional confidence and stability of intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i).

The Hybrid 130 system was introduced to the Yaris Cross range in 2024 to deliver smooth, responsive acceleration, as well as the incredible efficiency and low emissions which are synonymous with Toyota’s hybrid technology. A system output of 130 DIN hp (96 kW) and torque of 185 Nm results in 0-100 km/h acceleration of 10.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the Hybrid 130 achieves outstanding CO2 figures of 99-115 g/km, while fuel economy is 4.4-5.1 l/100 km, in the WLTP combined cycle (tentative values).

Hybrid 115 is now offered only on the Mid grade, in FWD specification. It has a system output of 116 DIN hp (85 kW) with 141 Nm of torque. CO2 emissions are 100-107 g/km and it achieves fuel economy of 4.4-4.7 l/100 km.

An authentic Yaris Cross DNA

Engineered for urban life and beyond, the Yaris Cross expresses its essential DNA of efficient and agile performance, combined with true SUV comfort and practicality.

Smart interior packaging creates a practical, easy-to-use load space with room for the day-to-day essentials, as well as leisure and travel kit. The 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats allow each to be reclined separately, seating up to three rear passengers, or catering for longer pieces of luggage.

A programme of enhancements since the model’s launch in 2021 has focused on meeting customer needs and addressing feedback, ensuring the Yaris Cross strengthens its all-round customer appeal in its segment.

Reduction of noise and vibration – as well as multiple measures to counter road, wind and engine sounds – were part of a comprehensive upgrade in 2024, when the second generation was launched.

This update also introduced the 1.5-litre Hybrid 130 powertrain, which included a more powerful electric motor-generator. Nimble powertrain performance is complemented by agile handling, supported by the fundamental GA-B platform benefits of low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body.

High specification entertainment and safety equipment have also been a core feature of the Yaris Cross since its inception, providing customers with a rewarding and convenient ownership experience.

Toyota T-Mate safety and driver assistance systems include Toyota Safety Sense features for convenience and peace of mind. On the latest version, a parking support brake is fitted as standard on Mid+ grade and above, while High grade vehicles additionally feature a Blind Spot Monitor.

A fully digital user experience includes the Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system with cloud-based navigation as standard and responsive voice recognition system and voice agent. Wireless smartphone integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensures easy connectivity.

* Start of sales and introduction timing vary by market, please contact your local Toyota representative.
** SakuraTouch is made from more than 40% of plant-derived PVC from the byproducts of wood craft pulping, and also incorporates cork chip waste from the wine industry and recycled PET, but without compromising durability. Only available on High grade. 

All data and values are tentative and subject to final homologation.

Since it established the compact SUV segment upon its 1994 launch, RAV4 has blazed a trail with its unique personality and ongoing technical innovation. Its iconic DNA blends rugged outdoor confidence with refined urban style, making it as exciting to look at as it is to drive.

Over more than three decades, RAV4 has established itself as one of Toyota’s best-selling models worldwide, with over 15 million sales across 180 countries. In Europe, RAV4 is a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s continued growth, with more than 2.5 million units sold to date, making it the brand’s first most popular SUV model, and its top-selling import.

The all-new sixth-generation takes the RAV4 experience to new heights and encourages a fresh spirit of adventure with its authentic SUV design. Its go-anywhere credentials are strengthened by new technology for a confident, fun and efficient drive.

Drivers benefit from features such as the new shift-by-wire system, enhanced head-up display on higher grades and an updated steering wheel design. A more comfortable ride comes via noise and vibration reduction measures, and a spacious interior.

Advanced features are powered by Toyota’s new Arene software development platform, which is introduced for the first time. This enables a new digital environment for a connected, advanced multimedia experience and the new Toyota Safety Sense.

RAV4 has been at the forefront of electrified technology since the beginning. Toyota’s first battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs were all RAV4s, and that innovative spirit is maintained with the latest version.

The all-new RAV4 is the first vehicle to feature Toyota’s new-generation plug-in hybrid technology. It emphasises Toyota's multi-pathway approach towards carbon neutrality, providing customers with a choice of sustainable options, regardless of location or individual circumstances.

Exterior design

• Striking new design features a three-dimensional front hammerhead, contoured bonnet and powerful stance

• The new RAV4 features a redesigned rear logo, while style grades introduce Europe's first glossy black Toyota emblem.

• An updated, adventure-themed range with four new colours and bi-tone options

• RAV4 maintains its exterior dimensions for practical urban manoeuvring and parking

• Enhanced powered back door with kick sensor operation, with new activation and an expanded detection area for easy loading

The RAV4’s authentic character and distinctive SUV identity have evolved via the tough, modern new exterior and refined interior of the sixth generation.

The three-dimensional SUV hammerhead design at the front and contoured bonnet create a powerful and modern first impression, strengthened by new LED headlights and an aerodynamic fog light bezel. New thin LEDs generate a distinctive look and feature an integrated turn signal, as well as an Adaptive High Beam System on the high grade.

New LED signature lights at the rear offer an indication of the advanced technology within the vehicle and integrate all functions into a single unit. Their stylish horizontal elements combine with a new model logo – boldly displayed across the rear – to express the all-new RAV4’s authentic personality.

The hard surfaces on the side of the body create a high-contrast appearance with the broad surfaces around the rear wheel arch, which is sculpted to emphasise a sense of width and create an imposing stance.

New 18-inch and 20-inch wheels are available in distinctive grey metallic, black, and machined metal. They emphasise an elevated ride height and flat roofline, which together create powerful proportions to express the all-new RAV4’s off-road capability.

A distinctive colour palette is intended to harmonise with nature and express an urban sophistication. It includes new Warm Stone, Forest Green, Urban Shade and Avantgarde Bronze, which captures a sense of SUV toughness and modernity. A more advanced appearance is achieved via the optional bi-tone colouring, which adds a black roof and A-pillar.

Interior

·       New intuitive shift-by-wire system

·       New steering wheel with expanded heating area

·       Digital-friendly cabin features five USB and two high-powered wireless chargers on higher grades

Inside, a redesigned cabin retains practical SUV functionality alongside a robust new look.  The interior is intelligently organised to give a feeling of space and comfort, while meeting the needs of the modern connected user. 

The horizontally-uniform dash sets the tone. It not only contains the latest multimedia and display technology, but it also creates a flowing structure. Visibility is maximised by lowering the top surface of the instrument panel by around 40 mm. A bold colour accent matches the door inserts and seats to emphasise width and space.

Confident, intuitive driving is encouraged by the unified digital cockpit. An all-new, free-floating 12.3-inch instrument panel is positioned to be easily visible through the steering wheel. Clear, high-contrast graphics are displayed on a bright LCD screen, with customisable settings to allow drivers to select the information displayed.

The new steering wheel includes a revised button layout for intuitive use while heating coverage has been extended to the whole grip area.

Storage and functionality have been engineered into the new RAV4 with a priority on practicality and digital connectivity, and the redesigned centre console emphasises this user-friendly philosophy. On the High grade, it includes two wireless chargers and two 45 W USB chargers, enabling front occupants to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The USB chargers are three times more powerful than standard 15 W versions and can cut charging times by a third. The chargers are compatible with tablets and notebooks, creating a practical in-car digital workspace.

In addition to the front charging solutions, on Mid and High grades, three further USB ports are conveniently located in the rear, bringing the total to five and ensuring all passengers can use devices without worrying about charging levels, even during long journeys.

Two interior colours are offered – refined black and stylish light grey – each creating a unique atmosphere through high-quality materials, offset by emotive red or blue accents on certain grades. Newly developed seats are stylishly shaped and functional, with synthetic leather featuring aligned perforations and eye-catching details.

As well as the elegant new shift-by-wire switch assembly, the centre console gains another stylish accent with a new metallic painted ornamentation, coordinated with the similar decoration on the steering wheel. Buttons throughout the interior are illuminated in white for better visibility, while white indirect lighting adds a refined atmosphere.

The premium appearance is created without compromising cargo space. The rear storage area is shaped to maximise capacity and includes full fold-flat rear seats suitable for long items such as golf bags or surfboards. A powered boot is fitted as standard and on higher grades features a hands-free kick sensor with an expanded detection area to ease access.

An all-new, personalised and connected digital experience

• New Arene software development platform enables new ToyotaConnect multimedia and Toyota Connected services

• New home screen concept and collaboration with best-in-class partners: TomTom for in-car navigation and speed camera alerts, Google for Points of Interest, Spotify for Music Streaming*

• New head-up display with larger, more visible projection

• New sharable Smart Digital Key functions without the need to open an app

• New theft protection* and vehicle recovery services

Toyota introduces its cutting-edge new Arene software development platform for the first time, enabling a new digital environment, including a new-generation ToyotaConnect multimedia system – making its global debut – and new Toyota Connected services. The multimedia system is intuitive and accurate, with enhanced connectivity, navigation and security tools. With a processor four times faster than the previous generation and eight times more stories, the Arene-powered system is more responsive and easier to use.

A new home screen concept was designed with European customers in mind. It gives drivers all relevant information in one view, smoothly integrated across all screens. An intuitive, user-friendly design – with personalised user profiles, customisable shortcuts, a quick settings menu, and data privacy features – makes navigating the in-car digital environment easy.

The flat, clean 12.9-inch LCD display has a tactile response calibrated to enhance user interaction through evolved touch sensitivity and operational speed for easy use.

A higher quality of information can be displayed via clear visuals, Google Points of Interest, real-time navigation details such as mobile and fixed speed cameras, powered by TomTom, and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) alerts to help drivers respect speed limits and environmental regulations. The integration of the navigation map and the three-dimensional lane assistance in the driver’s combimeter reduces potential distractions and makes directions easier to follow.

In the RAV4 PHEV model, a geo-fencing function ensures sufficient EV range to navigate upcoming LEZ or BEV-mandatory zones by intelligently switching between hybrid and electric modes to maintain an appropriate battery state of charge.

The new 12.3-inch combination meter, enhanced by Arene, features a variety of display options. These include navigation, safety and driver assistance features, and the ECO view, which provides the driver with fuel economy and power consumption data on the current journey as well as past information. Additional displays include a charge indicator for PHEV models, while full-screen animations are shown when changing drive modes and there is a modernised startup display.

A new head-up display (HUD) – available on higher grades – keeps the driver’s eyes on the road thanks to a tilted projection area. At more than double the size of the previous generation, the new HUD offers more space to display information. The system moves the projection area forward, projecting approximately 4-6 metres in front of the driver for clearer visibility and sense of depth. Drivers can adjust the information displayed via full, standard and minimum pre-set options.

The digital cockpit experience is enhanced by a responsive and precise voice assistant, developed to easily understand natural commands from the driver or passenger. Comprehension is significantly improved thanks to updated microphones located directly above each front seat, allowing convenient voice control and helping keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

The latest MyToyota app allows users to personalise services through subscription options (trial period may differ according to country).

Standard Services is the essential package, with a 10-year pan-European trial period. It includes cloud navigation, voice agent to control in-car features such as navigation and climate, over the air updates, as well as MyToyota in-app services such as driving analytics and online booking. Additional functions beyond the Standard Services are available as part of optional packages:

·       The Intelligent Voice Agent unlocks a broad range of content from sports results, Wikipedia searches and weather to flight or stock status. It controls the new embedded Spotify Music Streaming* interface. Music streaming delivers a seamless user experience with superior sound quality and reduced mobile data use.

·       Smart Navigation informs the driver about mobile speed cameras while Remote services can remotely control the vehicle.

·       In the event of a collision, the new Drive Recorder function is automatically triggered, recording from 10 seconds prior to an impact to up to 30 seconds after, and saving the file for potential insurance purposes. Using the integrated safety cameras, the system enables 360° recording on higher‑grade models. It can also be activated manually to record up to 90 minutes of driving, for export via USB.

·       For additional peace of mind, the Remote Immobiliser* can be activated manually or set to automatically activate after the doors are locked. It requires a passcode to be entered in the multimedia system or MyToyota app to enable the ignition, therefore preventing unauthorised start-up of the vehicle and reducing the risk of theft. If the vehicle is stolen, the MyToyota app assists with recovery via a partnership with Vodafone. Thanks to the Car Theft Assistant service, after the theft is reported to the police by the customer, Vodafone liaises with local authorities to track the vehicle, whilst updating users in their preferred language.

·       With the new RAV4, Toyota introduces its next generation Smart Digital Key+, designed to provide seamless vehicle access using a smartphone or smartwatch. It now operates directly through the smartphone wallet, eliminating the need to launch an application and offering a faster, more intuitive experience. Enhanced functionality ensures the digital key continues to operate even if the NFC-compatible smartphone’s battery is depleted. Up to seven digital keys can be created, enabling users to conveniently share access with up to six additional people.

Regular over-the-air software updates will deliver continuous feature improvements to expand the possibilities and convenience for customers on an ongoing basis.

*Feature to be introduced soon.

Advanced software enables new safety technology

• All-new RAV4 showcases the latest Toyota T-Mate and new Toyota Safety Sense

• Improved Blind Spot Monitor includes new Rear Vehicle Approach Indicator

• New Secondary Collision Brake automatically brings the vehicle to a stop in the event of an accident, if the driver is not able to do so

• Improved Panoramic View Monitor now features a three-dimensional view

The Arene software development platform represents the beginning of a new era of software-defined vehicles in which advanced digital technology creates new opportunities to enhance safety and contribute to Toyota’s goal of eliminating all accidents.

Arene enables the latest Toyota T-Mate system, including a new generation of Toyota Safety Sense, which is introduced for the first time on RAV4. This delivers a more comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance tools as standard, performing faster than before. 

The new Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) alerts the driver to vehicles they might not have seen in their side mirrors. It now includes the new Rear Vehicle Approach Indicator, which is designed to reduce driving stress, especially on highways. When activated, it issues audible and visual alerts when a vehicle is approaching at speed from behind, allowing time for the driver to react safely.

Front Cross Traffic Alert is a new feature for RAV4 which complements the BSM to provide drivers with even more comprehensive awareness of their surroundings. It supports safe navigation through crossing traffic at busy junctions, by detecting vehicles passing in front and issuing a visual alert and an audible warning if a high risk of collision is anticipated.

The more advanced Lane Change Assist now helps drivers to change lanes safely and conveniently during highway driving. When the driver activates the turn signal, the system ensures the manoeuvre is safe by checking whether a vehicle is present in the blind spot before steering assist automatically completes the intended lane change. Lane Change Assist functions when Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are activated.

The Pre-Collision System has been upgraded by expanding head-on collision detection and improving recognition of obstacles, bicycles and motorbikes. It works by alerting the driver with audio and visual warnings, and braking assistance. If the driver is unable to slow in time, the brakes automatically engage to prevent or mitigate a collision. In the event of an impact triggering airbag deployment, the new Secondary Collision Brake automatically brings the car to a gradual stop, in case the driver is unable to do so.

The remote-controlled Advanced Park function on High grade models allows the driver to control parking from a smartphone while standing outside the car. For added safety, if the user removes their finger from the device, the vehicle stops immediately. Manual parking is also simpler than ever thanks to the improved Panoramic View Monitor, which now includes a three-dimensional image to provide a more complete view of the area immediately around the vehicle.

Over the air software updates enable Toyota Safety Sense to remain up to date with the latest functionalities and improvements.

Driving dynamics

• A more rigid body for better cornering performance via the enhanced TNGA-K platform

• A new electronically controlled braking system for better control and response

• A smoother, quieter ride due to new noise and vibration reduction measures

• Upgraded off-road capabilities for better performance on rough ground

The all-new RAV4 elevates the journey for drivers and passengers alike by integrating new technologies and materials to sharpen driving dynamics and improve ride comfort.

A lightweight, high-rigidity body is built on the enhanced K platform of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). Overall, the body is 9.7% more rigid than the previous generation, while changes to the suspension mounting points increase rigidity in those areas by 31% at the front and 27% at the rear. The result is better road holding and improved cornering performance.

Enhancements to the body design and construction also benefit passengers, who can enjoy a quieter, smoother ride. Changes to the suspension mounting points and A-pillar construction combine with high-damping adhesive in the footwells, underfloor and rear wheel arch to reduce vibration. New sliding parts in the shock absorber provide a smoother ride at low speed, while softer suspension bushings further reduce the vibrations from the road surface. Meanwhile, wind noise is reduced by optimising the shape of the door mirrors, adjusting the profile of the A-pillar and improving door sealing.

A new electronically controlled braking system is implemented for the first time. It delivers a more natural and easier-to-use feel by improving capacity and stopping distance. Vehicle Braking Posture Control (VBPC) is another new feature. It uses braking inputs at each wheel to improve stability by minimising body roll and yaw, thereby enhancing turn-in response. The new RAV4 also features the new Cooperative Steering Driving Force Control (CSDFC) system, which synchronises body pitch and roll to increase cornering stability.

Downhill Assist Control is now offered on both HEV and PHEV AWD models. This system automatically applies the brakes when going down steep hills to prevent excessive speed, letting drivers concentrate on steering for safer, more controlled descents. To turn it on, simply press the button located on the right side of the centre console.

Meanwhile, the new shift-by-wire system enables intuitive, electronically controlled gear shift, via a unidirectional toggle switch in the centre console. The discreet switch has a smooth, two-stage operation. All drive modes can be selected in a single action by pushing forwards or backwards, while parking mode is activated manually via a dedicated button, or automatically when the vehicle is turned off.

The all-wheel-drive system increases driving confidence in slippery conditions and ensures the all‑new RAV4 is ready for any adventure, on or off road. The system works seamlessly by automatically distributing drive to the rear wheels to suppress front wheelspin at low speeds and during cornering for a more stable, dependable drive.

In AWD specification, the all-new RAV4 uses the electronically controlled braking system to strengthen its off-road capability, by increasing the limited slip differential effect when wheelspin is encountered on one wheel. Brake response is faster and more powerful, limiting slip for longer to allow torque to be transferred to the grounded wheel for a smooth exit. 

The AWD version also benefits from powerful towing performance, with a towing capacity of 2,000 kg in both PHEV and hybrid specification.

Maximum potential with the latest PHEV technology

• 137 km (WLTP combined cycle) of electric driving

• New battery with 30% larger capacity and 8% higher output

• New 50 kW DC fast charger

• Front-wheel drive PHEV introduced to the RAV4 range

As the first vehicle to feature Toyota's new-generation plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, the ultra-efficient new RAV4 embodies a dual DNA: a pure electric vehicle for daily commutes and an efficient hybrid for longer journeys. With up to 137 km of electric driving (WLTP combined cycle) – enough to meet the daily needs of most European customers – it delivers this flexibility without compromise on range or dependability.

The new generation 2.5 litre plug-in hybrid system is built on a simplified configuration and new battery pack, delivering more power, acceleration and efficiency, whilst also unlocking faster charging solutions.

The distinctive quiet ride with powerful acceleration and responsive handling synonymous with all-electric driving is available in intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i) and, for the first time on a RAV4 PHEV, front-wheel drive (FWD). In AWD specification, the all-new RAV4 boasts class-leading total power output of 309 DIN hp, while the FWD version delivers 272 DIN hp.

A new battery pack originates from Toyota’s electric vehicle development and includes a high-capacity lithium-ion battery with 22.68 kWh, 30% more capacity than its predecessor and 8% greater output. It works alongside an improved front motor – which now delivers 150 kW, a 16 kW increase – to achieve powerful acceleration. The AWD RAV4 achieves an exhilarating 0–100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds.

Significantly faster charging has also been enabled through the new battery pack. Plug-in charging with a 50 kW DC onboard charger – a rare feature for a D-segment SUV – can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 30 minutes depending on conditions. Charging at home or with standard public chargers is also quicker due to a new 11 kW AC charger which is twice as fast as the previous version, replenishing the battery in as little as three hours.

Battery performance remains reliable and consistent, even in harsh conditions, thanks to improved cooling solutions. Its thermal management system switches automatically between coolant circuits depending on the operating conditions, maintaining the ideal temperature for optimal efficiency and peak performance, even when charging in cold weather.

In addition to the substantial performance and charging improvements, the new generation PHEV system also contributes to enhanced driving dynamics via a lower centre of gravity and increased body rigidity, achieved by moving the battery under the floor.

Components have also been relocated into the engine compartment, contributing to a simpler layout and more cabin space. This has been accomplished by incorporating the DC converter into the power control unit (PCU), which has been downsized. It is integrated into a next-generation eAxle for quieter, improved performance in hybrid mode.

The plug-in hybrid RAV4 uses its electric range smartly with the help of geo-fencing technology, which automatically optimises EV driving to be ready for whatever the journey brings. By combining real-time road and traffic data from cloud navigation with insights into a driver’s routine routes and driving style, the system can automatically switch between hybrid and electric modes to optimise range. If the destination is in a Low Emission Zone, or requires travel through one, geo-fencing ensures sufficient charge to do so entirely in EV mode.

With the new generation, Toyota not only introduces the most advanced RAV4 PHEV to the market but also a highly developed PHEV ecosystem, including PHEV insurance and Toyota charging solutions. Users are assisted to get the most out of the PHEV technology via the onboard multimedia system, which offers live charging information. An additional feature offers information about the location and cost of charging points, ensuring a smooth charging process and a rewarding overall ownership experience.

The latest hybrid technology

• Improved acceleration performance and fuel economy

• New, smaller battery pack and simplified system configuration

In full hybrid specification, the all-new RAV4 also benefits from Toyota’s latest technology. A new battery pack and simplified system layout contribute to a more efficient and dynamic drive in FWD and AWD specification.

Toyota’s 2.5-litre hybrid system delivers a responsive start and seamless, EV-style acceleration with direct driving response thanks to the increased 221 Nm of torque. The AWD now delivers 194 DIN hp total system power, with the FWD version giving 185 DIN hp.

As well as performance, fuel efficiency has also been increased and, in hybrid specification, the all-new RAV4 achieves up to 5.8 l/100 km (WLTP combined).

Motor output has been enhanced via updates to the transaxle and power control unit, as well as a newly developed, high-power lithium-ion battery pack which is smaller and lighter than its predecessor. This brings increased input and output, for improved fuel economy and drivability. A new die-cast aluminium case makes integration simpler via integrated fixations. The use of welding between battery cells has reduced the number of components while fuses are integrated into the battery pack to eliminate the fuse box.

Updates to the transaxle motor see the coil end reduced, a modified magnet arrangement, and a new lubrication structure. These changes reduce loss and enhance output compared with the previous generation.

GR SPORT

• Wider, lower stance and dedicated styling features for a dynamic motorsports-style look

• Exclusive suspension components and tuning, plus optimised power steering, for a sporty, stable drive

• Aerodynamic upgrades include front and rear spoilers, and exclusive 20-inch wheels

The motorsports-inspired GR SPORT grade combines passionate design with intuitive driving.

Taking its name from the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams contributing to making ever-better cars and developing people through motorsports competition, the RAV4 GR SPORT benefits from exclusive features inside and out.

An eye-catching, aggressive first impression is generated by the unified front grille design finished in the GR-exclusive hexagonal G-mesh pattern, with deeper 3D effect. A 20 mm increase in overall tread and 12.5 mm wider front wheel arches contribute to a lower, wider stance.

New aerodynamic elements not only add detail and strength to the appearance, but they also contribute to a more exciting drive. Reduces the amount of air passing through the grill at high speeds while maintaining sufficient airflow at low speeds. Lightweight 20-inch black alloy wheels – in exclusive five-unit, twin-spoke GR SPORT design – also optimise air flow.

Sharper handling and a more stable driving experience are achieved by combining a high-performance front damper design with dedicated suspension tuning. A dedicated shock absorber with increased damping force provides improved ride comfort and minimises the impact of uneven road surfaces, even at higher speeds, while a reinforced rear suspension brace increases body rigidity and driving stability.

Exclusive electronic power steering settings have been tuned specifically for the RAV4 GR SPORT, to deliver a more solid, sporty steering feeling.

Inside, a stylish black interior is intended to encourage focus on the road ahead. It features discreet GR logos and emotive red accents, including on the exclusive steering wheel and knee pads as well as the synthetic leather and suede-like seat material. Console knee pads, and aluminium brake and throttle pedals, have been developed specifically for more comfortable sporty driving.

The sixth-generation RAV4 line-up is already available to order across Europe.

This quality is reflected in a programme of model upgrades for the Land Cruiser 250, launched in 2024, refocusing the range to provide versions designed to meet the preferences of customers looking for authentic “back to the roots” performance and those prioritising more sophisticated equipment features and technologies.

The new Land Cruiser 250 line-up has thus adopted two top-level grades: VX, specified for serious off-road performance, and the new VX-L, with added style, technology and premium details.

The VX is visually distinguished by its classic Land Cruiser round headlights* (known from the limited First Edition-version), roof rails and a new Smoky Blue metallic monotone paint option that’s exclusive to this specific grade. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and is equipped with a series of systems to support surefooted progress over challenging terrain. Electronic locking rear diff, Toyota’s Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism, which unlocks the front anti-roll bar to increase wheel articulation to help tackle rough and rocky surfaces, Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control are all provided together with a Multi-Terrain Monitor and Panoramic View Monitor to give the driver a complete view of the landscape immediately around and beneath the vehicle. The specification also includes a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, Toyota Smart Connect + multimedia system with 12.3-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable driver’s seat and a cooled rear console box.

Options for the VX include a seven-seat interior lay-out and sunroof.

The new VX-L raises the cabin comfort appointments with power-adjustable front seats (driver and passenger) and integrated heating and ventilation functions for both the front and outer rear seats, all of which are upholstered in leather. A 14-speaker JBL premium sound system ensures top quality on-board entertainment while the driver benefits from a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror. A sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels are also featured. For the VX-L grade specifically, the electronic locking rear diff is replaced by a Torsen® limited slip differential for enhanced on-road handling.

The VX-L options list includes a panoramic roof in place of the sunroof as well as the possibility of a seven-seat cabin configuration.

Both the VX and VX-L models are equipped with a heated steering wheel, dual-zone air conditioning and the Drive Mode Select system to adjust the vehicle’s performance parameters to suit different driving environments.

Elsewhere, the TX grade remains the entry point to the Land Cruiser range, providing essential muscle and a simpler specification for work-focused duties. Details include 18-inch wheels, fabric upholstery, reversing camera, side steps, mud flaps and Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems. The TX-L version raises the specification with features including synthetic leather upholstery, power driver’s seat adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, power back door, dual-zone air conditioning and Drive Mode Select.

In addition, a new Aura Black metallic paint finish is available as an option on all Land Cruiser models.

In Western Europe, all versions are powered by Toyota’s Hybrid 48V electrified powertrain, providing smoother and more comfortable performance whether driving on-road or tackling rough ground. The Hybrid 48V-system, introduced in 2025, has been developed and deployed in the Land Cruiser with no reduction in the vehicle’s performance or its exceptional all-road capabilities. In Eastern European markets, the new VX and VX‑L grades are powered by either a 2.8‑litre diesel engine or a 2.4‑litre petrol turbo engine.
 
* Western Europe only. Specifications and grade equipment vary by region.

Building on the iconic Toyota C−HR – which has sold over one million units in Europe through two generations – the Toyota C−HR+ raises the bar. It showcases a Toyota BEV DNA which combines powertrain efficiency, exhilarating performance, and stylish design with Toyota’s essential quality, durability, and reliability.

The Toyota BEV DNA encompasses the complete user journey. It includes a choice of high-power all-electric powertrains with extended driving range of up to 607 km (WLTP combined) to suit different driving customer needs and budgets.

As well as providing choice, Toyota has enabled drivers to get the most out of their Toyota C−HR+ through advanced battery charging solutions, such as a 150 kW DC fast charger, 22 kW AC onboard charger and technology to optimise range and charging. A convenient and dependable BEV ownership experience is underpinned by Toyota’s renowned commitment to quality and safety, meaning the latest driver assist technologies and a 10-year battery warranty* as standard.

The Toyota C−HR+ not only delivers powertrain performance, efficiency, and convenience; its coupe SUV silhouette is also designed to stir emotion without compromising interior space. Under the distinctive body, suspension refinements and the stiffer eTNGA platform prioritise agile and responsive handling, as well as a smooth, quiet ride.

This balance of excitement and engineering is shared with Toyota’s compelling all‑electric SUV line-up, alongside the Urban Cruiser, bZ4X and bZ4X Touring. They form part of a multi-pathway approach towards carbon neutrality, which focuses on providing a choice of solutions, regardless of where customers live or their individual circumstances.

DUAL BATTERY OFFER

• Dual new lithium-ion battery options with 57.7 kWh and 77 kWh offer extended driving range of up to 607 km (WLTP)

• Fast 150 kW DC charger as standard, and onboard 22 kW AC charging on High grade

• Battery cooling system as standard for optimised efficiency performance

• Cold temperature charging times improved with battery heating and pre-conditioning functions

To meet different customer needs the Toyota C−HR+ is available with a choice of two different battery options, alongside front and all-wheel drive powertrains.

A 57.7 kWh (gross capacity) battery is exclusive to front-wheel drive (FWD) versions. It delivers an output of 167 DIN hp (123 kW) and has a driving range of up to 458 km according to the WLTP cycle.

For customers wanting more power and the longest range in the Toyota C−HR+ line-up, a 77 kWh battery option and FWD achieves 224 DIN hp (165 kW) and delivers up to 607 km, the longest range in the Toyota BEV line up. For drivers seeking confidence and performance in all conditions, the 77 kWh AWD model offers 343 DIN hp, 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and up to 548 km of range.

Efficient climate control system

Several features on the Toyota C−HR+ reduce the impact of air conditioning systems on driving range, without compromising cabin comfort.

The system provides two-layer operation. Fresh air with low humidity is introduced into the upper cabin, which helps prevent fogging, while warm air is recirculated in the lower section around the occupants’ feet, improving heating performance while saving energy.

An innovative heat pump is designed for low energy consumption and high efficiency. It uses thermal energy from outside air to heat the cabin, reducing energy consumption compared to a standard system. The air conditioning’s ECO mode focuses heating on the driver when other seats are unoccupied, with air volume and temperature controlled and seat and steering wheel heaters engaged. This provides a warm space while conserving charge.

The latest eAxles

High output is achieved thanks to the latest lightweight Toyota eAxles – consisting of inverter, motor and transaxle. They feature new-generation silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductors, which operate with greater efficiency and produce higher power, while also being lighter and more compact. They are more efficient than the previous silicon type in handling high voltages, operating at high temperatures and delivering higher outputs.

The unit’s design, as well as its cooling and lubrication systems, minimises energy losses, delivers superior power and stability, as well as quieter performance.

Battery structure

To provide customers with fast charging options, all Toyota C−HR+ models feature a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. As with the bZ4X, the 57.7 kWh battery has 78 cells, while the high-capacity unit has 104 cells. They are supplied by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), a joint venture company owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (51%) and Panasonic Corporation (49%) established in 2019.

High-speed battery charging

Toyota offers 150 kW DC charging across the full Toyota C−HR+ line-up, supported for consistent high performance across a wide range of temperature, particularly in cold conditions, through battery control systems and a pre-conditioning system.

To offer more charging practicality and convenience, an 11 kW onboard AC charger is included as standard while the High grade benefits from even faster charging with a 22 kW unit, which reduces recharge time by around half.

Battery pre-conditioning

Battery pre-conditioning supports a targeted fast DC charging time from 10% to 80% of below 30 minutes in temperatures as low as -10°C, 20 minutes faster than charging without pre-conditioning. The system uses a water-to-water heat exchanger to heat all cells evenly, allowing for higher charging power and consistent operation.

Battery pre-conditioning can be activated via a choice of three different modes: manually via the multimedia system, scheduled in advance to start at a specific time, or implemented automatically when navigating to a charging station via the navigation system.

EV routing

Drivers can confidently use the vehicle’s full driving range with peace of mind thanks to a dedicated BEV navigation function. This automatically proposes the optimum charging stations on a route, based on the battery’s state of charge and remaining driving range. The function is dynamic, so recommendations are updated in real time, based on the car’s actual energy consumption during the drive.

Battery cooling and heating for consistent performance

Like battery pre-conditioning, battery cooling and heating maintain an optimum battery temperature for efficient performance. A water-cooling arrangement uses refrigerant from the car’s air conditioning system to reduce the battery coolant temperature. The cooler operates from the battery’s lower surface so that each cell is cooled evenly. The standard provision of a heat pump in the air conditioning system ensures energy-efficient performance. The battery heating function provides uniform heating of all the cells, with consistent operation even in very low temperatures, helping to reduce charging time.

Battery information transparency

The driver is kept up-to-date on key battery performance data with new functions integrated into the 7-inch combimeter. These include current, real-time charging power, and the time remaining to reach 80% state of charge (SoC). Furthermore, an indicator showing the battery’s state of health gives the driver full transparency of the battery condition and remaining capacity.

AWD: POWER AND CONTROL

• Combined 343 DIN hp (252 kW) output and 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds

• New turning control system

• Towing capacity increased to 1,500 kg

Maximum performance with eTNGA

The Toyota C−HR+ expresses its true character and maximum performance in all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration. The eTNGA platform allows the addition of a rear eAxle for a dual eAxle arrangement which delivers genuine AWD capabilities. The result is one of the most powerful vehicles in Toyota’s European line-up, outside of the GR range of sports cars, with a combined system output of 343 DIN hp (252 kW) and acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.

Power distribution system

A more stable, secure AWD drive is established via a turning control system which actively distributes torque between the front and rear wheels. It predicts the line a driver intends taking through a bend, based on factors such as vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The level of torque is automatically controlled to secure stable and controllable performance appropriate to the conditions.

Towing capacity

In AWD specification, the Toyota C−HR+ can tow braked trailers up to 1,500 kg, delivering true SUV practicality.

A RESPONSIVE, ENGAGING AND QUIET DRIVE

• Underfloor battery lowers centre of gravity and enhances torsional rigidity

• Optimised suspension tuning

• Regenerative braking options for tailored driver engagement

• Insulation and noise dampening for a peaceful all-electric ride

eTNGA platform

Toyota’s dedicated eTNGA battery electric vehicle architecture is specifically designed for BEVs and provides the Toyota C−HR+ with a highly rigid body, low centre of gravity and responsive, controllable vehicle dynamics. The Toyota C−HR+ exploits the adaptability of the platform, which is scalable for BEVs of multiple types, sizes and drivetrains, to create a unique body and spacious interior.

An underfloor-mounted battery is a key eTNGA design feature. By fixing it to the underfloor frame, torsional rigidity is improved by 30% and the centre of gravity is lowered by 65 mm compared to the Toyota C−HR, while still retaining a ground clearance of 185 mm. This contributes to an agile, engaging drive.

Suspension tuning

Complementing its low centre of gravity and high body rigidity, the Toyota C−HR+ benefits from a dedicated suspension tuning that delivers a fun-to-drive experience. An ideal balance between agility and comfort is achieved by optimising the shock absorber damping force settings, the stabiliser bar and bushes stiffness, and adopting a low height and wheel rate for the coil springs.

The electric power steering has also been mapped specifically for responsiveness. It adjusts the steering characteristics dynamically, providing a light feel at low speed and a more direct sensation at higher speeds.

Regenerative braking

An intuitive and engaging driving experience is provided by the choice of four levels of regenerative braking, which are activated using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The high responsiveness of the electric motor allows coasting deceleration of up to 0.15 G when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, operating with a natural feel and compensating for up to 80% of deceleration when driving. This feature not only enhances driver control but also maximises efficiency by replenishing the battery during deceleration.

Noise reduction

To further optimise its smooth ride, the new Toyota C−HR+ also features noise insulating and absorbing materials, and silencers, which have been strategically installed to ensure a peaceful interior space. Optimised body rigidity and high-damping floor adhesive further elevate ride comfort.

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN

• Grille-less face and Toyota’s signature hammerhead design

• Distinctive coupe roofline with no compromise on headroom, front-rear distance, and storage

• Aerodynamically optimised design for maximum efficiency

• Fully digital 7-inch driver’s combimeter and 14-inch multimedia display

• Premium and sustainable seat coverings

Authentic SUV crossover design

The all-new Toyota C−HR+ has been styled to evoke an emotional reaction at first sight. From every angle, the C−HR+ communicates agility and purpose, expressing a contemporary look.

Its character is based on a bold, coupe-inspired silhouette. The sharply defined lines and sculpted surfaces create a sense of motion even at standstill, while the wide stance and low roofline give it a sporty stance. The roofline is achieved without compromising headroom for rear seat passengers.

At the front, Toyota’s signature hammerhead design language is expressed through sleek LED headlamps and a clean face characteristic of battery electric vehicles.

Sharply defined character lines at the rear combine with a sleek light design to express an advanced image, whilst a low rear bumper emphasises the vehicle’s nimble handling.

A choice of five eye-catching colours available on all grades: Platinum Pearl White, Cement Grey, Attitude Black, Metal Oxide, and the newly developed Mineral. On the High grade, bi-tone colouring features a contrasting black roof for an even more impactful visual. It is available with Platinum Pearl White, Cement Grey, Metal Oxide, and Mineral.

Imposing 20-inch alloy wheels on Mid+ and High grades are styled to emphasise sportiness and urban sophistication, ensuring the Toyota C−HR+ looks as confident in the city as it does on the open road. Meanwhile, maximised driving range is achieved on the 18-inch wheels, which are offered as standard on Mid grades, and also available for Mid+.

Aerodynamic design

The exterior design of the Toyota C−HR+ blends dynamic proportions with excellent aerodynamic performance achieving a best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.262, which contributes to efficient driving and a long range.

Within a wheelbase of 2,750 mm – 110 mm longer than the Toyota C−HR – the underfloor area has been made as flat as possible to minimise turbulence and energy loss. A variety of other measures have helped to achieve a low drag performance on all versions. The front grille, equipped with active shutters, and an air duct ahead of the wheels work together to reduce turbulence and improve air flow. Along the vehicle’s sides, hidden rear door handles and aerodynamically optimised wheels further contribute to overall efficiency.

Air flow at the rear is enhanced by a roof mounted spoiler and a distinctive ducktail rear end, as well as aerodynamic fins on the bottom of the rear bumper which reduce air flow separation.

Interior comfort

Generous interior space and modern design help the Toyota C−HR+ stand out with premium-level comfort and versatility, creating a modern environment, thanks to the flexibility of the modular eTNGA platform.

A roomy cabin shares its spacious front lay-out with the new bZ4X, although a distinct Toyota C−HR+ identity is established through a unique instrument panel finish and exclusive seat trims. Depending on the grade, the new Toyota C−HR+ features seat materials such as synthetic leather, suede-like trim, and fabric, all made using recycled PET materials. These sustainable choices help reduce CO₂ emissions during the production process while creating a refined feel.

Impressive interior space is similar to that of the D-SUV segment bZ4X. Comfortable headroom is combined with generous leg room thanks a 900 mm front-to-rear seat distance, a 35 mm improvement on the latest Toyota C−HR. This is achieved through a 2,750 mm wheelbase and 4,530 mm overall length, respectively 110 mm and 170 mm longer than the Toyota C−HR.

A streamlined interior creates an open, welcoming feel. Ambient lighting offers a choice of 64 different colours to create the right mood for any journey. It is not only visually striking but also increases the perception of space within the cabin, particularly when paired with the optional panoramic roof, which brings more natural light to create an open, airy feel.

Interior equipment

For the driver, a high-resolution 7-inch full graphic combimeter replaces traditional analogue gauges and features a crisp display that adapts to driving conditions and user preferences. It shows essential driving data, including speed, battery status, range, regenerative braking level and turn-by-turn navigation prompts. Its low-profile, simplified shape is located above the steering wheel, ensuring the driver can keep their eyes fully focused on the road.

At the heart of the cabin is the fully digital 14-inch multimedia display, centrally positioned to be easily visible and accessible to both driver and front passenger. Its intuitive interface controls the multimedia system and cloud navigation.

For a more convenient driving experience, a heated front windscreen is standard in the Nordic and Baltic markets and part of the High grade package elsewhere. A powered driver’s seat with memory function is included on the High grade. Rear-seat occupants benefit from two dedicated USB-C ports with a combined 60 W of power, enough to charge larger devices such as laptop computers, as well as their own air-conditioning controls, to ensure comfort and connectivity for all passengers.

A six-speaker system as standard delivers clear, balanced sound, while a JBL® Premium Audio option features nine speakers, an 800-watt amplifier and a 9-inch subwoofer. It is engineered to provide a rich, immersive listening experience that complements the refinement of the all-electric powertrain.

Storage capacity

The Toyota C−HR+ benefits from up to 416 litres (VDA) of load capacity, achieved thanks to a rear overhang which is 50 mm longer than the Toyota C−HR.

The flexible load space has a two-level deck board and an underfloor space that can be used to increase load height by 74 mm. With the rear seats in place and the deck board in its lower position, there is enough room for two 82-litre suitcases. Beneath the deck board there is a tool kit and space for the charging cable and a warning triangle.

On Mid+ and High grades, a powered tailgate comes as standard.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR SAFETY AND CONNECTIVITY

• Toyota T-Mate and Toyota Safety Sense as standard

• 14-inch multimedia display

• Seamless mobile phone connectivity

The Toyota C−HR+’s advanced looks and powertrain are matched by the latest technologies for comprehensive safety and onboard connectivity.

All versions of the new Toyota C−HR+ benefit from extensive Toyota T-Mate safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems. Driving is safer and easier with early detection of a wide range of accident hazards, and automatic brake activation, steering and power control to help the driver avoid an impact.

The interior ambient lighting system contributes to safety by providing an additional warning linked to the car's Safe Exit Assist, lighting the interior door handles red if it detects a risk of a door being opened into traffic from the rear.

Other advanced features are provided as standard, including a Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive High-beam System and Parking Support Brake. On High grade vehicles, Lane Change Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Park Assist, and a Panoramic View Monitor are also included.

The navigation system delivers up-to-date routing and real-time traffic data, helping drivers plan journeys with confidence.

Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration ensure seamless connection to smartphones. A voice agent can be activated with a “Hey Toyota” prompt, enabling natural voice control for navigation, media and climate functions.

A USER-FRIENDLY BEV ECOSYSTEM VIA TOYOTA CHARGING

• BEV-specific functions and services via MyToyota app

• Access to the Europe-wide Toyota Charging Network

• Time- and cost-effective charging scheduling via the Toyota HomeCharge wallbox

• Remote functions include pre-journey vehicle heating or cooling

As well as providing drivers with in-car technology to complement the BEV driving experience, life with the Toyota C−HR+ is made even more simple and intuitive by Toyota’s charging ecosystem.

The MyToyota app includes full connection to the Toyota HomeCharge domestic wallbox, allowing owners to easily monitor, manage and control their charging.  New features make it simpler to engage smart charging – which allows charging to be scheduled for convenience or the lowest electricity prices – as well as giving customers quick access to view their billing history.

To replenish the battery away from home, the Toyota Charging Network provides access to one of the largest pan-European EV public charging networks. It is now easier than ever to get started, and billing information is shown on the app.

A new feature on the app instantly displays the vehicle’s state of charge on the user’s mobile device. For easy navigation to a charging point, Send to Car allows users to transmit a selected location from their phone directly to the Toyota C−HR+ at the push of a button.

The MyToyota app also allows users to remotely activate climate control, reaching the desired cabin temperature efficiently and reducing the demand on air conditioning systems during the journey, which can therefore preserve range.

To further maximise range, a BEV coaching tool assesses previous journeys and offers advice on how to improve driving efficiency.

Ownership peace of mind

Customers, particularly those purchasing a BEV for the first time, can be assured that the Toyota C−HR+ has all the quality, durability and reliability attributes that are a hallmark of the Toyota brand.

The Toyota C−HR+ comes with long-lasting battery quality, durability and reliability guaranteed. Toyota’s Battery Care Program covers the battery each year for up to 10 years of vehicle age or up to one million kilometres driven, subject to an annual battery health check*.

Market introduction and grades

The all-new Toyota C−HR+ will be available to purchase from March 2026 across Europe in three distinct grades: Mid, Mid+ and High.

Full LED headlights, seat and steering wheel heating, two wireless chargers, a 14-inch multimedia display, and smart entry are standard across all grades.

The Mid grade is built on a front-wheel drive configuration and a 57.7 kWh battery for 167 DIN hp (123 kW). It comes with an onboard 11 kW AC charger, partially synthetic leather seats and 18-inch wheels.

The Mid+ grade is available in FWD or AWD specification, on 18-inch or 20-inch wheels. Both feature a 77 kWh battery. The FWD version delivers 224 DIN hp (165 kW), while AWD specification has 343 DIN hp (252 kW). The Mid+ grade also benefits from powered tailgate and privacy glass.

The High grade includes more comfort and technology. It is offered exclusively as all-wheel drive, with a 77 kWh battery, boasting 343 DIN hp (252 kW), 0-100 km/h capability of 5.2 seconds and a towing capacity of 1,500 kg.

In addition to the Mid+ features, High grade also includes an onboard 22 kW AC charger, a powered driver’s seat, and digital key, as well as advanced driver assist functions. Bi-tone paint is standard exclusively on the High grade alongside unique 20-inch wheels. The interior is equipped with synthetic leather and suede seats, in black or light grey. A panoramic roof and JBL premium sound system are optional.

The 2026 evolution of the GR Yaris performance hatchback introduces new motorsports-inspired improvements to enhance steering and vehicle control, especially during limit-pushing driving.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s motorsports activities, including its multiple title-winning FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) team, have shaped the GR Yaris and driven a continuous improvement since its 2020 launch, expressing the TGR philosophy of making ever-better cars through competition.

Over that time, the GR Yaris has been pushed to its limits in the extreme environment of rallying and racing, where problems are thoroughly pursued by analysing driving data, examining damaged parts in detail and responding to the feedback of a diverse range of drivers.

Motorsports know-how has again guided the latest evolution of the GR Yaris and GR Yaris Aero Performance, and they benefit from detailed updates to optimise the driving experience.

The updates start at the interface between driver and vehicle. The steering wheel has been remodelled based on real-world, on-track analysis. With the aim of improving control and maintaining focus on the road, TGR engineers conducted evaluations with professional race drivers to optimise steering wheel design and layout. Using clay-model prototypes, they refined its shape and size through repeated track testing.

The diameter of the exclusive new steering wheel has been reduced by 5 mm to 360 mm to allow for quicker steering inputs. Meanwhile, the grip area has been enlarged and thumb rests removed to achieve superior response in motorsports conditions.

A new switch layout is another direct result of experience gained in motorsports, when drivers often turn the wheel up to 180 degrees without changing their hand position. On traditional designs this can cause steering wheel-mounted buttons to be pressed accidentally, so the GR Yaris’ new layout moves all buttons further from the driver’s hands to eliminate the issue.

Drivers will feel more grip and control thanks to the adoption of newly developed high-grip Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres. They benefit from revisions to the tread pattern, internal construction, and rubber compound, which delivers enhanced circuit performance whilst also reducing road noise.

To maximise this additional traction, front and rear shock absorber damping settings have been modified. Based on TGR’s experience of high-grip tyres in competitions like Super Taikyu and the Japanese Rally Championship, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) has also been updated. The operating range of the steering assistance, even during heavy braking and high-load cornering, has been expanded by optimising the torsion bar rigidity inside the torque sensor and updating the control software.

Meanwhile, the driver’s airbag design now features an exclusive GR emblem on the steering wheel, while a Driver Monitor Camera – which detects signs of distraction or fatigue and is linked to the vehicle’s Emergency Driving Stop System – has also been added to the standard safety features.

Additionally, for greater comfort in colder conditions, heated seat and steering wheel functions are now available in combination with the optional vertical hand brake.

All updates are applied to the latest GR Yaris and GR Yaris Aero Performance models, which are available to order across Europe now.

_{Note: The level of equipment shown in the images related to this press release may not fully correspond to European specifications.}

At Toyota, the development of H2-fuelled race and rally cars continues at pace and Akio Toyoda has regularly demonstrated the technology to highlight the rapid progress that is being made.

For instance, Akio participated at the WRC Ypres Rally in August 2022 in a Hydrogen-Engine GR Yaris, at the 100^th anniversary of Le Mans in June 2023 in a GR Corolla H2 Concept and in many Super Taikyu races in Japan in both gas- and liquid-hydrogen prototype GR Corollas.

Now came the chance to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen in front of many motorsport stakeholders in Monte Carlo.

“It is a great honour to be able to drive the Monaco circuit in a hydrogen rally car”, said Akio Toyoda.

The motivation is clear: how to secure the key emotional dimension of high-performance noise in a carbon-neutral future.

Akio continues “Hydrogen is a very important element in motorsports and hydrogen engines are extremely well-suited to racing. I hope people can understand our intention and will support us in this activity for the future of motorsport”.

With already announced development programmes, the agreement of standards and regulations, and an increasing number of participants, the hope is that hydrogen will form a key part of the future for WRC, WEC and W2RC [World Rally, World Endurance and World Rally Raid].

The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, at the hands of Morizo, certainly shows the potential.

The GR Yaris expressed its motorsports DNA at Rallye Monte-Carlo (January 22-25) with the world premiere of a new rally-inspired special edition alongside a showcase for the new Aero Performance grade, which delivers stability and cooling improvements directly developed through competition.

A high-performance hatchback, the GR Yaris was inspired by the winning combination of power, poise and precise control of the GR YARIS Rally1 car which competes in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

When Akio Toyoda brought Toyota back to the WRC as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) in 2017, he signalled the company’s passion for motorsports and strong commitment to making ever-better cars through lessons learned in competition.

The World Rally Championship tests cars, drivers and team members more than any other discipline. From the freezing snow to the desert heat, on every kind of road surface, it offers a unique setting to learn about the roads and conditions facing customers around the world. This extreme environment helps TGR to train people, develop technology and gain knowledge to build ever-better cars.

As the first dedicated model to carry the GR nameplate, the GR Yaris is the trailblazer for this philosophy. It has continually evolved since its 2020 launch via limit-pushing participation in harsh motorsports conditions. The GR Yaris Aero Performance epitomises that approach. Participation in Japan’s Super Taikyu race series and the Japanese Rally Championship prompted improvements through analysis of driving data and direct feedback from drivers.

Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the 2026 WRC season, was therefore a fitting location to display the GR Yaris Aero Performance, and host a world premiere for the “Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion” edition, presented for the first time on January 22 at the iconic Monaco harbour. They were displayed alongside the new “MORIZO RR” special edition in the service park.

Monte-Carlo is the oldest and most prestigious event on the WRC calendar, featuring legendary stages such as the Col de Turini, which takes competitors through hairpins and narrow roads on a challenging mountain pass.

TGR conquered the demanding conditions and took all three podium positions on the 2026 Rallye Monte-Carlo. Oliver Solberg, driving a Rally1 car for the first time in Rallye Monte-Carlo and starting his first full season in the top category, became the event’s youngest-ever winner, at 24. He finished ahead of his TGR team-mates, Elfyn Evans and World Champion Sébastien Ogier.

Ogier’s record-equalling title successes are honoured by the ‘Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition’, which is limited to 200 units, including 100 for the European market. It incorporates exclusive equipment reflecting the Frenchman’s preferences and driving style.

It includes special “SEB” and “MORIZO” all-wheel-drive control modes, developed by TGR with Ogier, while changes to the interior and exterior combine refined understatement with functional design. The new “Black Gravite” colour is complemented by matte‑black wheels while accents inside and out are inspired by the colours of the French flag.

It is the second special edition to pay tribute to Ogier and follows in the wheel tracks of the Ogier Edition, which was revealed at the 2024 Rallye Monte-Carlo alongside a model marking Kalle Rovanperä’s world championships.

All three special editions are inspired by the desire of Akio Toyoda – aka Morizo – to express his respect and gratitude to the drivers “who hone and grow our cars in rallies” and to the teams, the rally organisers and the sport’s fans. Each features all-wheel-drive control modes programmed to reflect the performance and handling preferences of each driver, plus unique styling features.

The ‘MORIZO RR’ edition was displayed in Europe for the first time in Monte-Carlo, following its world premiere at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this month. It was created with Morizo and benefits from insights gained through the challenge of competing in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours.

The limited edition is equipped with GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) and features an exclusive rear wing and optimised suspension set-up, while the electric power steering (EPS) system has been tuned and the exclusive 4WD “MORIZO” control mode added. Exterior enhancements include a front spoiler, side skirts, and a carbon-fibre bonnet. The distinctive appearance is enhanced by the exclusive Gravel Khaki colour, Piano Black radiator grille, Matte Bronze wheels and yellow brake callipers.

Expanding the GR Yaris presence in Monte-Carlo, the successful present and a potential future of WRC technology were also on show. The World Championship-winning GR YARIS Rally1 was displayed next to the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, which is fitted with an internal combustion engine fuelled by compressed hydrogen. It delivers near-zero tailpipe emissions while retaining the sounds and sensations so popular with rally fans.

The new GR Yaris Aero Performance grade showed off the six new aerodynamic parts which improve stability and cooling by optimising air flow around the vehicle. An uncompromising approach to targeted improvements has resulted in a more confident ride – including improved straight-line stability and cornering – for a greater sense of unity between car and driver.

A new large cooling duct and grille on the aluminium bonnet mirrors the contoured shape of the GRMN Yaris’ carbon-fibre bonnet. During high-speed driving, it improves cooling by discharging heat from the engine compartment. It was developed and proven in the Japanese Rally Championship.

A front lip spoiler refined in Super Taikyu helps to increase aerodynamic efficiency by suppressing front lift, improving lift balance and enhancing grip. The spoiler was engineered with Kazuya Oshima, a professional driver who competes with Morizo’s Rookie Racing team in the Super Formula, Super GT and Super Taikyu championships in Japan.  

A prominent, variable rear spoiler contributes to high-speed handling as well as confident braking. Its angle can be manually adjusted to suit different circumstances, bringing out the best in the GR Yaris whether on the racetrack or in the city.

A revised floor undercover optimises underbody airflow and further improves the aerodynamics. It was inspired by the flat bottom of the fuel tank used in Super Taikyu.

New fender ducts, located between the front wheel and the door, release rear-flowing air that accumulates in the front wheelhouse. This improves the steering feel under heavy braking and handling stability at corner entry.

Ducts on each side of the rear bumper decrease the drag coefficient by allowing smoother airflow under the car. They were introduced in response to a scenario encountered by a GR Yaris in Super Taikyu, when a rear bumper was detached due to aerodynamic loads.

Meanwhile, a rally-style vertical handbrake, which utilises insights gained from competing in the WRC and Japanese Rally Championship, is available as an option.

Together, the six new components express the full potential of the GR Yaris and create a sharper appearance with a heightened sense of purpose and style. The GR Yaris Aero Performance is available to order in Europe now.

Britain’s brand-new boyband December 10 is partnering with Toyota in a Pan European campaign for the new Aygo X Hybrid. The seven-piece group's debut original single, 'Run My Way', will feature exclusively in the campaign from today, ahead of the song's official release on January 30th.

Formed on camera during Netflix’s global docuseries Simon Cowell: The Next Act, and newly signed to EMI Records, the group Cruz (19), Danny (17), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16) and Sean (19) bring together an infectious energy, charismatic personalities and an endearing spirit, marking an exciting new chapter for British pop music.

The campaign will engage with fans across various touchpoints, including meet & greets with the band, alongside providing them with opportunities to experience December 10’s music ahead of their tour and discover more about Toyota’s most compact model in Europe, and the first full hybrid in the A-segment. Combined with its strong stance and individual colour palettes, the new Aygo X blends individuality with technology and design.

December 10 said: “Hearing our song on an advert for the first time is actually mad, and we’re gassed that we’re working with Toyota and the Aygo X. Class!!! We’ve all been buzzing about it and talking about which colours we want. The cars are rapid as well - perfect for us!!!”

Simon Cowell said: “I'm so excited about this for the December10 boys and Toyota Aygo X to kick off 2026. THIS IS BRILLIANT! I love the car, love the ad, can I get one please? Thank you all very, very much.”

Andrea Carlucci, Vice President Product Strategy and Marketing, Toyota Motor Europe commented on the partnership: “We're thrilled to partner with December 10 at the start of their journey, rooting the new Aygo X in pop culture. As the first full hybrid in the compact A-segment, Aygo X embodies our vision for fun, practical urban mobility—making every drive an exciting experience."

Fans can hear December 10’s ‘Run My Way’ ahead of its official release (on 30^th January) on the Aygo X campaign and stay in the loop of the partnership and upcoming tour by following Toyota on YouTube.

The GR GT, the recently revealed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) flagship model, is set to make its debut in 2026 – in the world of gaming. The high-performance coupe features in the newly released cover art for Forza Horizon 6, issued in the lead-up to the launch of the latest instalment of the Microsoft street driving game later this year.

The artwork shows a red GR GT in a quintessentially Japanese setting with a backdrop of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms.

The GR GT made its world debut in Tokyo in December last year, together with its related GT competition model, the GR GT3. The GR GT is envisioned as a road-legal race car that exemplifies TGR’s philosophy of making ever-better cars, bred through motorsport.

The new GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition is a limited edition, which pays tribute to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) driver Sébastien Ogier’s achievement in winning the 2025 Drivers’ World Championship.

The battle for the 2025 title went down to the final round at Rally Saudi Arabia. Competing in 11 events throughout the season, Ogier claimed six victories and a total of ten podium finishes, ultimately earning his record-equalling ninth world title.

Throughout his successful campaign, Ogier demonstrated the qualities TGR strives for: an unwavering drive to win, a refusal to give up, and a determination to push beyond limits. The new special edition was developed to recognise his triumphs and place in rally history, while expressing gratitude to all the fans who support TGR-WRT.

An under-development prototype was presented on January 22 at the iconic Monaco harbour, before the start of a rally which Ogier will challenge to win for a record 11th time. Upon completion of development, the new edition will be limited to 200 units worldwide, including 100 for the European market.

The GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition is based on the new GR Yaris Aero Performance and incorporates exclusive equipment reflecting the Frenchman’s preferences and driving style.

Together with Ogier, TGR developed two special all‑wheel drive control modes. “SEB” mode replaces the original “TRACK” mode and uses a 40:60 front-rear torque split to enable rear-drive-oriented vehicle control while maintaining front-end turning performance. “MORIZO” mode replaces the original “GRAVEL” mode, and it maximises traction and cornering performance. Under acceleration, front and rear wheels are locked, while under braking, locking force is reduced as necessary. Ogier favoured the torque distribution settings developed by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda – aka Morizo – through extensive rally driving, leading to its adoption in this edition.

The interior and exterior of the GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition have been modified to combine refined understatement with functional design inspired by the demands of real rally stages.

The newly developed Black Gravite colour represents TGR’s 2025 motorsports activities and is complemented by matte black wheels in a matching tone. The brake callipers are finished in Ogier’s signature blue, while the radiator grille features a tricolour accent inspired by the French flag.

Red, blue and grey stitching extends the French tricolour theme to the steering wheel, which has a smaller overall diameter and a redesigned switch layout, based on insights from the GR Yaris Rally2 rally car. The exclusive leather grip of the vertical handbrake features grey stitching, while a commemorative serial-number plate celebrates Ogier’s titles. There are also dedicated display graphics for “SEB” and “MORIZO” modes on the full‑TFT GR instrument display.

GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition – Special Equipment List

(Under development; equipment may change without prior notice)

Performance

• Exclusive AWD control modes: SEB Mode / MORIZO Mode

Exterior

• Exclusive body colour: Black Gravite
• Exclusive wheel colour: matte black
• Exclusive coloured brake callipers (blue)
• Tricolour‑accent radiator grille
• “MORIZO” signature front windshield graphic
• Exclusive rear emblem: Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition
• Exclusive vinyl graphics (lower door, rear fender)

Interior

• Leather‑wrapped vertical parking brake lever with grey stitching
• Tricolour‑stitched GR steering wheel
• Serial‑numbered edition‑specific plaque
• Exclusive full‑TFT GR instrument display graphics (SEB / MORIZO modes)

The Land Cruiser has achieved many great feats in a history spanning almost 75 years and is longest Toyota’s longest-running production model. Renowned worldwide as a vehicle that will take you anywhere and everywhere – and bring you safely home.

Since its introduction in 1954, the Land Cruiser family has evolved down the years into three parallel series:

• The Station Wagon: represented by today’s 300 Series and the new Performance Hybrid. Available in world regions including East Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.
• The Heavy Duty: the world famous 70-series, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and available in African, Middle Eastern and Pacific markets.
• The Light Duty: the range that includes the new 250-series, the principal model for Europe. 

New Performance Hybrid powertrain

In its constant evolution to reach new horizons and embrace innovative technologies, the Land Cruiser 300 is now adopting a hybrid powertrain for the first time. It is a performance hybrid that combines the model’s legendary qualities with Toyota’s leadership in vehicle electrification, established over three decades since the launch of the original Prius. Delivering the first electrified version of Land Cruiser also aligns with Toyota’s multipath philosophy, giving customers powertrain choices that are right for their personal needs and local conditions, on the journey towards carbon neutrality.

The new system combines a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo engine with a single motor-generator in a parallel hybrid arrangement. It gives the Land Cruiser more power and high-torque towing strength and maintains its exceptional all-terrain capabilities without compromise. Maximum output is 457 DIN hp / 227 kW, making this the most powerful Land Cruiser yet, with maximum torque rising by 20 per cent to 790 Nm.

The petrol engine and a single motor-generator can operate in combination, maximising the benefit of the electric motor’s high torque and power, giving powerful, responsive and linear acceleration – throttle response has improved by 40% compared to Land Cruiser 300’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo ICE powertrain. The vehicle can also run on its electric motor alone at speeds below 30 km/h, with automatic, seamless switching to EV driving.

The system features a new structure in which a motor-generator with a clutch is located between the engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Engine start-up, EV driving, electric assist and energy regeneration are all handled by the hybrid system, which includes a nickel-metal hydride battery. Together with the hybrid system, a new electric power steering is also introduced, providing better precision and vehicle control on all type of roads.

The model has undergone extreme testing in challenging environments around the world, confirming its all-terrain capabilities. Measures including waterproofing of the battery housing ensure its wading capacity is maintained (700 mm). 

The new Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid will be introduced in selected eastern European markets from January 2026. 

Model range and equipment highlights

The new Land Cruiser 300 will be introduced in three equipment grades, VX, ZX and GR SPORT, all with a five-seat interior layout. Across the board, the specifications reflect Land Cruiser’s status as both a prestige model and one that is capable of covering the most challenging terrain.

The VX model has 18-inch high-gloss alloy wheels, a power back door, 1500W AC outlet, full LED sequential headlights and LED front fog lights. In the cabin, the infotainment package includes a digital driver’s combimeter and multimedia touchscreen, both of which measure 12.3 inches. The system provides route navigation and the on-board entertainment includes a powerful 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. High comfort is provided by a four-zone air conditioning system with additional rear cabin heater, a heated steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats.

Extensive driving assistance systems equip the model for off-road journeys, including Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select which automatically adapts braking and drive force to suit different driving conditions. Crawl Control and a Multi-Terrain Monitor support safe progress over uneven ground, while Downhill Assist Control, a Blind Spot Monitor, parking sensors and a Panoramic View Monitor support safe and easy on-road manoeuvring as well. The ZX version adopts an aero body kit, adding further emphasis to the Land Cruiser’s powerful appearance. Other key features include Adaptive Variable Suspension, a five-mode drive selector, head-up display, hands-free kick sensor for the power back door and a rear limited-slip differential.

The GR SPORT introduces design details that draw inspiration from the multi-world-championship-winning TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams. It is fitted with exclusive front and rear bumpers and wheel arches to create a more commanding look and the front grille carries the classic TOYOTA name badge. The 18-inch wheels have a bespoke off-road design and GR logo badging is featured both on the vehicle’s bodywork and in the cabin. Off-road performance is enhanced with the addition of e-KDSS (electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) which automatically disengages the anti-roll bars to increase wheel travel and maintain tyre contact with the ground on very uneven terrain.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced the creation of the MORIZO RR special edition of the GR Yaris and unveiled the model’s under-development prototype at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR is a special edition created with Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo. It benefits from insights gained through the challenge of competing as TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours.

For the 2025 Nürburgring race, TGR, with its core mission of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, joined forces with ROOKIE Racing, which hones GR vehicles. Under Morizo’s leadership, they transcended organisational boundaries and came together to form TGRR, aiming to further accelerate the making of ever-better cars.

Morizo raced the TGRR-entered GR Yaris #109, equipped with GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). Despite the gruelling challenge of the Nürburgring, he completed more than his planned number of laps. After the team successfully finished the race, Morizo was quick to praise the GR Yaris and credited its eight-speed automatic transmission with enabling him to complete 15 laps.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR – which takes its name from Morizo and Rookie Racing – is inspired by that experience. It is exceptional for achieving a unity of car and driver, which was cultivated at the Nürburgring. This enhances driver-vehicle interaction and confidence while making car-lovers smile and want to keep driving.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR will be limited to 100 units in selected European markets and 100 units in Japan. The sales launch is scheduled for spring 2026.

■ Main features

Nürburgring-honed suspension

Benefiting from the powerful downforce generated by an exclusive rear wing, the suspension setup has been optimised to achieve damping forces that allow the tyres to retain firm contact with the road, even on uneven surfaces like those at the Nürburgring. The result is performance that allows for stress-free everyday driving while maintaining sporty driving performance. Control of the electric power steering (EPS) system has been modified accordingly. The high-performance vehicle was developed to generate a sense of exhilaration and new levels of fun-to-drive pleasure thanks to its uniquely enjoyable interaction between car and driver.

Exclusive 4WD control mode developed with Morizo

An exclusive 4WD control mode was developed together with Morizo. “MORIZO” mode replaces the “GRAVEL” mode of the original vehicle. The “MORIZO” mode sets front/rear initial torque and driving force distribution at 50:50.

Interior and exterior designed with the master driver and professional drivers 

The special edition features a carbon-fibre rear wing – exclusive to the GR Yaris MORIZO RR – which was developed via TGRR’s participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Other exterior enhancements include a front spoiler, side skirts, and a carbon-fibre bonnet.

The exterior colour is the GR Yaris MORIZO RR-exclusive and Morizo-favoured Gravel Khaki, which, despite its distinctive character, blends seamlessly into everyday settings. A Piano Black finish creates a sleek, sharp and lower appearance for the radiator grille, while Matte Bronze wheels complete the look.

The brake callipers and interior stitching sport Morizo’s signature yellow colour.                                   

The suede-surfaced steering wheel is also an exclusive feature. It has been given a slightly smaller outer diameter as well as modified paddle shifters and steering-wheel-mounted switches for improved operability during sporty driving. The switches are laid out independently, based on lessons learned with the GR Yaris Rally2 rally car.

The interior also features an exclusive serial number plate with a “MORIZO RR” logo.

The highly efficient Yaris will be updated for 2026 to further showcase the model’s core values of innovation, quality, and character, while reinforcing its role as a key contributor to Toyota’s European sales success.

Since its 1999 introduction, generations of Yaris drivers have benefited from advanced technology and proven dependability, while standing out from the crowd thanks to its distinctive looks and fun-to-drive personality.

The model is a cornerstone of Toyota’s line-up in Europe, and one of its best-sellers. In 2024, Yaris and Yaris Cross were Europe’s two most popular full hybrid cars while Yaris was the continent’s 10th best-selling vehicle, with 174,000 sales.

With its “big-small” philosophy combining a compact and purposeful exterior with a spacious interior, Yaris has led the way in introducing new technology to its segment. From raising the bar on safety to pioneering full hybrid power and becoming the first compact car built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-B platform, Yaris has continually set new standards.

Toyota’s latest version of the fourth generation Yaris continues to be built in Europe for European customers, showcasing innovative design and engineering across a series of grades to suit customer preferences, including the GR SPORT variant.[JD1] [CW2] 

The fourth generation Yaris offers a dual-hybrid approach to meet customers’ varying needs and ensure exceptional efficiency. The Hybrid 115 powertrain delivers optimal environmental performance, while the Hybrid 130 option has sharper acceleration and a more engaging drive.

For 2026, Mid+, the grade of choice for around 40% of customers, has been updated and enhanced with a fresh look and additional technology as standard.

New matte black 17-inch alloy wheels – increased from the previous 16-inch versions – and dark chrome wheel nuts create a bolder appearance. Inside, seats have a sportier shape, upgraded fabric and an elegant three-tone grey stitching pattern.

To enhance everyday convenience, advanced technologies are now standard on Mid+ for the first time, including smart entry, push-button start, wireless charging and ambient lighting.

Across the Yaris range, the stylish Celestite Grey colour will also be introduced for 2026.

The upgraded Toyota Yaris range will be available to order across Europe during the first quarter of 2026.

Inspired by the fun-loving Toyota Aygo, the Aygo X has been designed and developed entirely in Europe and was launched in 2022. Since then, it has been a hit across the continent, achieving a 20% market share in its segment, year to date.

The new Aygo X blends individuality with technology and design. Its strong stance and individual colour palettes capture a modern urban mood, now enhanced by a bold front grille and refreshed styling.

As the first full hybrid in its segment, the new Aygo X sets high standards of efficiency. Toyota’s renowned hybrid technology ensures full usability without compromise. The exclusively hybrid Aygo X achieves the lowest CO₂ emissions of any non-plug-in vehicle on the market, based on WLTP data.

Drivers benefit from the elevated visibility and agile handling of a compact crossover, enhanced by sharper acceleration and more power from the hybrid system. All this comes with the peace of mind of Toyota’s advanced safety and driver assist features.

An even more dynamic drive comes with the GR SPORT grade – now available for the first time for Aygo X – which stands out with its sporty styling.

The Aygo X is a European model, fully designed and developed in Europe to meet the demands of European drivers. It is developed by Toyota Motor Europe in Belgium and production of the new generation began on November 13 at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) in Kolin, with sales now underway in European markets.

Stand-out compact SUV design 

The Aygo X’s impulsive, go-anywhere attitude has been refreshed with an all-new front design that reinforces its compact SUV identity.

The three-dimensional black front grille features Toyota’s iconic double trapezoid shape and combines with the larger 76 mm front overhang to create an imposing impression, alongside 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels – depending on the specification – and black flared wheel arches. A colour insert on the lower grille strengthens the stance and impression of a low centre of gravity.

Sophistication is elevated by bringing the bonnet shut line forward, partially concealed by the lights and front insert to minimise visible gaps. Moving the turn indicators to a more discreet location in the mirrors, and adding a powered folding mirror function, also adds to a contemporary feel, which is emphasised by full LED lights front and rear on the higher equipment grades.

A ‘mellow spice’ colour concept defines four unique personalities: Cinnamon, Jasmine, Tarragon, and Lavandula, available on High and Mid+ grades. With its fine metallic effect, Cinnamon brings a sleek and refined touch, while Jasmin’s understated tone-shifting transitions from warm to cool metallic shades. The solid effect of Tarragon conveys a calm, minimalist attitude, contrasting with the charismatic and complex Lavandula.

Bi-tone colouring on Mid+ and High grades adds to a dynamic presence, with black extending seamlessly from the roof to across the rear and down to the side sills.

An interior with space and style

The refreshed interior of the new Aygo X is roomy while retaining its signature fun-loving spirit. A quality feel is generated within a clean interior which is more comfortable, convenient, and connected thanks to modern technologies and practical design.

Despite its compact external dimensions, the new Aygo X maximises interior space and provides a high driving position for superior visibility. Four passengers can travel in comfort, and there is space to carry anything from everyday essentials to larger luggage with its 231-litre boot capacity.

A low-lying pagoda roof shape adds to the feeling of space, as well as reducing the frontal area of the car, which contributes to lower drag and CO₂ emissions. The optional retractable canvas roof creates an even greater sense of freedom by opening to almost 60% of the roof length. An exclusive design incorporates front grille-inspired elements in a gradation pattern.

A 7-inch digital combi-meter – up from 4.3-inch on the previous model – and updated heater control panel bring new technology to the dash. Meanwhile, the centre console has been reshaped to include a new electronic parking brake.

Both centre console and dash feature trims in a contemporary speckled effect on Mid+ grade and an eye-catching marble effect on High grades.

The steering wheel is trimmed with high-quality artificial leather, and includes a colour insert matching the exterior on the High grade. Premium seat finishes include elegant X-pattern embroidery and piping on the Mid+ grade, and perforated SakuraTouch® panels on the High grade.

For added convenience, two USB-C charging ports are included as standard on all grades. Optional features include a new wireless smartphone charger, a digital key, and nanoeX™ technology for improved air quality.

An optional JBL sound system creates a superior listening experience. It is achieved by two full-range speakers in the front doors in combination with 25 mm tweeters on the A pillars. At the rear, a 200 mm subwoofer – large for a compact car like the Aygo X – generates powerful bass and dynamic speaker response as well as clear tone.

An agile, responsive and quiet drive

The Aygo X delivers nimble handling for busy urban streets as a result of the GA-B platform of the Toyota Global New Architecture (TNGA), which provides a low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body.

Suspension, brakes and steering have been updated to achieve a more engaging and responsive drive. A new advanced braking system now includes disc brakes on all four wheels. Steering control systems have been tuned for lighter feel and greater agility in city driving. This is helped by a turning radius of less than five metres.

Rapid response and sharp acceleration performance are assured with Toyota’s full hybrid technology. Dedicated engine tuning creates a linear connection between engine revs and acceleration for a more engaged driving feeling. The downhill braking control supports safer deceleration by detecting changes in inclination and controlling vehicle speed even when the brake is released.

As well as adding excitement to the drive, the hybrid system contributes to a peaceful journey, particularly in all-electric mode. Seven new noise-damping components also make the latest Aygo X quieter and smoother. Dash silencers, bonnet insulation, and an engine underbody cover combine with an updated exhaust system and silencer to reduce driving sound. Mid+ and High grades benefit from further noise reduction measures, including thicker window glass and additional soundproofing throughout the body.

Toyota’s smallest full hybrid

The new Aygo X brings full hybrid power to the A-segment for the first time, extending electrification to the smallest and most accessible vehicle in Toyota’s range, while maintaining its signature condensed crossover character.

The latest Aygo X delivers a more energetic and exciting drive, with higher power and sharper acceleration. Shared with the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the powertrain features a 1.5-litre engine, and it fully replaces the 1.0-litre petrol engine of its predecessor.

The benefits of full hybrid make the new Aygo X an ideal partner for city driving, with class-leading CO₂ emissions of 85 g/km. That ensures it meets the challenge of low emission zones while improved power opens a world of adventure by making longer drives more comfortable.

Overall system power output is increased by 44 DIN hp compared to the previous version, reaching a maximum of 116 DIN hp, delivering a big improvement in terms of driveability and driving dynamics. This makes the Aygo X a more dynamic and responsive car, at ease in all driving environments from cites, to country roads and highways.

Integrating the hybrid components while retaining the Aygo X’s 2,430 mm wheelbase and boot space required innovative packaging solutions. For the first time in a Toyota hybrid, the two stacks of battery cells are positioned alongside each other across the width of the floor in a longitudinal layout under the rear seats. Other Toyota hybrids use a parallel configuration, which requires more lengthwise space. Smart use of the available space also sees the auxiliary battery moved under the boot space without affecting storage capacity.

Introducing the Aygo X GR SPORT

For the first time, a GR SPORT variant of the Aygo X is available, bringing more fun-to-drive sensations and a striking sporty look.

The GR SPORT version takes its name from World Championship-winning TOYOTA GAZOO Racing motorsports teams. Based on the High grade, the Aygo X GR SPORT adds exclusive performance and styling upgrades to reflect its competition-inspired nameplate.

Driving dynamics are sharpened through dedicated tuning of the shock absorbers and coil springs, plus a new wider diameter stabiliser, which combine to deliver precise handling and optimised body roll. Tuned electric power steering also provides a sharper response. Those improvements were specifically engineered to deliver excitement without compromising ride comfort on urban streets.

The Aygo X GR SPORT stands out with its exclusive Mustard bi-tone colour scheme and unique contrasting black bonnet. The distinctive “G-pattern” mesh seen elsewhere in the GR family is integrated in the glossy black front grille, while exclusive new GR SPORT 18-inch alloy wheels create a sporty stance.

Inside, a black and grey theme features piano black decoration, grey accents and GR logo embroidery. The front seats incorporate sophisticated SakuraTouch® and suede-like Dinamica material on the main inserts, along with grey Samara on the bolsters.

Safety and support

Safety is a priority across the Toyota range, and the new Aygo X benefits from a best-in-class safety and driver assistance package, via the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense technology and new hybrid-specific features.

Toyota’s hybrid technology adds a suite of driver assistance to the new Aygo X that optimise efficiency and ensure a smoother, more controlled drive.

Predictive Efficient Drive learns driver behaviour and conditions on routes programmed into the cloud-based navigation system. This information is used by the hybrid system to optimise battery charging and discharge control, in line with the road and traffic conditions.

Extended Regeneration Control contributes to more effective battery charging. When the accelerator is released, engine braking force is increased beyond normal levels to maximise battery charging.

Adaptive cruise control, with smoother braking and acceleration response for a secure driving feel, is activated via steering wheel switch. It also includes an Overtake Protection feature, which prevents unintended overtaking of slower-lane vehicles, while Overtaking Support helps match speed with traffic in the intended lane.

A new millimetre-wave and monocular camera upgrade the Pre-Collision System (PCS) to improve detection of pedestrians, cyclists and crossing traffic at intersections when the vehicle is making a turn. If a collision risk is identified, the system deploys visual and audio warnings, followed by brake assist and pre-collision braking. When the PCS is activated, the new Emergency Steering Assist helps maintain lane position and stability during sudden evasive manoeuvres.

Lane Trace Assist helps the driver stay within their lane and is supported by a Steering Assist function which can correct unintended deviation. For more secure highway driving, Lane Centring operates when adaptive cruise control is engaged to ensure the vehicle remains safely in its lane. When cruise control is not activated, a vehicle sway warning issues an alert if the vehicle is taking an unsteady line.

Additional features include a new speed limiter function, working in cooperation with the enhanced Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beam.

A reduced carbon footprint

For customers today, environmental awareness is increasingly influencing vehicle choice, and the hybrid Aygo X delivers excitement, convenience and efficiency to meet those expectations.

Toyota's multi-pathway approach towards carbon neutrality focuses on providing a choice of solutions, regardless of where customers live or their individual circumstances. With the hybrid Aygo X, Toyota expands access to electrification to a wider audience in all vehicle segments.

By adopting a footprint driven design and looking at every stage of vehicle use, production and distribution, Toyota estimates a reduced lifetime carbon footprint of the hybrid Aygo X by 18% compared to the previous generation. The ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain is the largest single factor, alongside use of new materials and efforts to reduce the impact of car production and logistics.

As an example, in-mould colour technology on specific components, whereby colour is applied directly during the injection moulding, is used to achieve an eye-catching effect and to reduce the CO₂ emissions for the coating process, compared to painting.

The use of recycled plastic and fabric for novel seat materials like the premium SakuraTouch® for an animal-free interior also help reduce the vehicle’s carbon footprint.

SakuraTouch® is made from more than 40%** of plant-derived PVC from the by-products of wood kraft pulping and also incorporates cork chip waste from the wine industry and recycled PET, but without compromising durability. This pioneering blend of materials significantly reduces CO₂ emissions during material production by 95% compared to genuine leather.

Furthermore, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) in Kolin uses renewable electricity while streamlined, smarter parts and vehicle logistics have also contributed.

Toyota hybrid history

The world's first mass-produced hybrid – the Toyota Prius – was launched in 1997. Initially, hybrid technology was primarily deployed in larger-segment models, such as the Camry Hybrid in 2006 and the RAV4 Hybrid in 2016.

Gradually, it was introduced into more compact categories. In the C-segment, the Auris became the first model to receive a hybrid powertrain in 2010, followed by the Toyota C-HR, Corolla and Corolla Cross. In 2012, the Toyota Yaris became our first B-segment model to feature hybrid technology, followed more recently by the Yaris Cross.

With the new hybrid Aygo X, Toyota's entire European line-up is now electrified, covering all segments from the compact A-segment through to large off-road vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux. Since the introduction of the Prius in 1997, Toyota has sold more than 35 million electrified Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide.

The introduction of the all-new Urban Cruiser is the latest step in the expansion of Toyota’s battery electric vehicle range to cover all key segments of the European electric SUV market. It follows the recent launch of the new, significantly revised bZ4X and precedes the arrival in 2026 of the all-new Toyota C-HR+, bZ4X Touring, and Hilux BEV.

Supporting Toyota’s multipath philosophy, the all-electric Urban Cruiser joins the self-charging hybrid Yaris Cross to give B-SUV customers a choice of zero and low emission powertrains, with options to best meet their mobility needs while also helping achieve meaningful reductions in CO₂ emissions towards ultimate carbon neutrality.

Going further, Urban Cruiser is available with two battery options, offering different levels of performance and driving range.

The model is launched in three versions: a front-wheel drive model with a 49 kWh battery and front and all-wheel drive versions with a 61 kWh battery.  The driving range (WLTP combined data) is up to 344 km for the FWD model with the 49 kWh battery; 426 km for the FWD version with the 61 kWh battery; and 395 km for the AWD model.

The batteries feature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which provides enhanced durability and cost advantages. A thermal management system helps ensure optimum battery temperature is maintained, including in very cold and hot conditions. The batteries’ lasting quality is supported by the Toyota Battery Care Programme, which guarantees a minimum 70% of the unit’s original capacity is maintained over 10 years or 1,000,000 km of driving (subject to an annual battery health check).

The Urban Cruiser is an authentic SUV, from its robust design to its all-wheel driving capabilities. The electric AWD system, using an additional motor on the rear axle, delivers secure, confidence-inspiring performance on loose surfaces and slippery roads.

Creating an open and spacious interior was a priority in Urban Cruiser’s development. Cabin and load compartment space has been maximised through clever design and intelligent packaging of the EV powertrain components. With the benefit of a 2,700 mm wheelbase, the interior is open, spacious and versatile, with a sliding and split-folding rear system that allows passenger or luggage space to be adapted with ease, rivalling the load-carrying capabilities of larger SUVs.

Information and multimedia functions are easy to access with an instrument combimeter and a multimedia display that are integrated into a single unit. On-board connectivity is supported by front and rear USB ports and wireless smartphone integration. Control goes beyond the car itself with the MyToyota app enabling owners to operate vehicle functions and monitor data remotely, such as scheduling battery charging, checking the battery’s state of charge and activating the air conditioning system before making a journey.

CHASSIS: CONSTRUCTED ON A DEDICATED BEV PLATFORM

• New, dedicated BEV platform, designed with interior space and driving range as priorities
• Exceptional rigidity and a low centre of gravity are achieved through structural battery integration
• Detailed measures to optimise aerodynamic performance and suppress noise and vibration

The Urban Cruiser is constructed on a dedicated new BEV platform, developed with cabin space and optimum driving range as priorities.

The principal underfloor section dispenses with cross-members to accommodate the battery pack. The battery is protected from collision damage by an outer frame and energy-absorbing side mounts. The rear floor also provides impact protection and is designed so that only minor modifications were required to accommodate the additional rear eAxle in the all-wheel drive model.

Strength and body rigidity are high, with high-tensile steels used in key areas, with the added benefit of weight-saving. Locating the battery beneath the vehicle’s floor helps secure a low centre of gravity, which promotes stable handling and an agile driving character.

Fine-tuned aerodynamics helps reduce power consumption and maximise the car’s driving range. Features include aero covers that extend across the entire underfloor area, including the front and rear sections. The battery pack’s flat, low-profile design helps smooth the flow of air beneath the car.

Detailed measures help control noise and vibration that are potentially more noticeable in the absence of a conventional engine sound. Road noise is suppressed by the battery pack, which forms a structural member in the car, while driving and wind noise are reduced through the use of sound-insulating baffles around the vehicle and sound-insulating windscreen glass. Front eAxle mounts and a rear eAxle undercover also suppress unwelcome noise and vibration.

ALL-NEW BATTERY ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN

• Two battery capacity options – 49 and 61 kWh
• Driving range of up to 426 km
• 10-80% battery DC fast recharging in around 45 minutes
• Peace of mind of Toyota’s battery guarantee of 70% of original capacity maintained up to 1,000,000 kilometres  driven/10 years*

The Urban Cruiser introduces an all-new battery electric powertrain with two battery pack options and a choice of front or all-wheel drive. Both batteries use lithium-iron phosphate technology, which has the benefits of durability, safety and reduced cost. With both units, the car offers prompt, linear acceleration, from start-off and at overtaking speeds.

The car is driven by a compact and efficient eAxle. This incorporates an electric motor, inverter and reduction gears in a single space-saving unit. Clever design, including a small-diameter motor and a long shaft, has kept the unit small without sacrificing power and avoiding intrusion in the cabin space or, in the case of the AWD model, the load compartment.

A 49 kWh battery is available exclusive in the FWD model. Containing 96 cells, it has an output of 106 kW / 144 DIN hp and produces a maximum 193 Nm of torque. The driving range (WLTP combined) is up to 344 km.

Extending customer choice, Toyota also offers a 61 kWh, 120-cell battery. In the FWD powertrain this produces 128 kW / 174 DIN hp and 193 Nm. The driving range is up to 426 km.

In the AWD model, the system delivers more power and torque: 135 kW / 184 DIN hp and 193/114 Nm, enabling a driving range of up to 395 km.

All Urban Cruiser models can tow braked loads of up to 750 kg.

A number of measures are deployed to maximise the car’s potential driving range, including a thermal management system that co-ordinates battery temperature control with the air conditioning control system to help stabilise performance in hot or cold weather, or in high-load driving conditions (e.g. extended high-speed cruising and repeated rapid battery charging). In winter conditions, the system helps optimise battery temperature; in hot weather, the liquid refrigerant in the air conditioning is used to cool the battery.

Further measures include an automatic front grille shutter to optimise airflow and an energy-efficient heat pump integrated into the heating and ventilation system (fitted as standard). Using seat heaters and a heated steering wheel (where provided) also supports efficient use of power.

Battery charging

When using DC charging, recharging the battery from 10% to 80% takes approximately 45 minutes. Charging from 15% to 100% with a 3-phase 11 kW AC power supply should take around six hours, while single-phase 7kW AC charging is expected to achieve the same in about 9.5 hours.

The system includes a “My Room” charging mode that allows driver to use the air conditioning and audio system while sitting in their vehicle while charging is in progress.

Energy efficiency and battery pre-conditioning

To enhance the Urban Cruiser’s energy efficiency and optimise its driving range, the vehicle is equipped as standard with an air conditioning system featuring a heat pump.

Additionally, the driver may initiate battery pre-conditioning prior to charging, either manually within the vehicle or via the MyToyota app. This process optimizes the battery temperature, ensuring that charging is conducted as efficiently and quick as possible.

Peace of mind guarantee*

In common with all new Toyota battery electric vehicles, the new Urban Cruiser promises long lasting battery quality, durability and reliability. Toyota’s Battery Care Program covers battery performance each year for up to 10 years of vehicle age or up to one million kilometres driven, contingent on an annual battery health check.

*Toyota’s confidence in the quality of the battery is reflected in a guarantee it will retain at least 70% of its capacity up to 10 years of vehicle age, covered by the original EV Manufacturing Warranty until 8 years of vehicle age or 160,000 kilometres, and with the Battery Care Program up to 10 years of vehicle age or 1 million kilometres driven that is activated by an annual EV health check (terms and conditions and local country conditions apply).

SELECTABLE DRIVE MODES FOR DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS

• Choice of Eco, Normal, Sport and Pedal drive modes on all versions; additional Snow mode for the FWD models
• Easy operation using shift-by-wire controller
• Pedal mode offers three deceleration levels for one-pedal control of vehicle speed

The Urban Cruiser has up to four drive modes which the driver can select as required using button switches on the centre console.

Eco mode extends the car’s potential driving range with regulation of the air conditioning system’s power usage and moderating accelerator response to the driver’s use of the pedal.

Normal mode provides prompt power delivery for everyday driving, while Sport mode sharpens the throttle response for a more agile driving experience.

The Snow mode on the front-wheel drive model controls drive torque to help reduce wheel-slip when driving on snow-covered roads.

The driver also has the option of using a Pedal mode for driving with minimal use of the brake pedal. It provides three selectable levels of deceleration when the driver comes off the throttle, allowing vehicle speed to be controlled using just the accelerator pedal. This has the added benefit of operating in a similar fashion to a regenerative braking system, capturing energy generated during deceleration that is then converted into electricity.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPTION: TRUE TO URBAN CRUISER’S SUV DNA

• All-wheel drive option faithful to Urban Cruiser’s authentic SUV character
• AWD version adopts additional 48 kW rear motor
• Selectable Auto and Trail drive modes for safe and secure progress in slippery conditions and over uneven surfaces

The availability of an all-wheel drive system affirms the Urban Cruiser’s status as an authentic SUV.

The addition of a 48 kW motor to the rear axle delivers stable and secure performance on loose and slippery surfaces, giving the driver peace of mind when tackling difficult conditions and a more rewarding driving experience.

The electric motors provide quick response to assist acceleration, with precise control of the drive torque distribution between the front and rear axles. On slippery surfaces, the level of torque is automatically adjusted when any degree of wheel-slip is detected.

The AWD system operates in two selectable modes: Auto and Trail. In Auto mode, control is automatically adjusted in line with the road conditions. In Trail mode, a limited-slip differential provides braking on any wheel that loses traction, while directing drive torque to the opposite wheel to gain safer, secure progress.

The system also provides Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control for easier progress on gradients, and Active Cornering Control, which improves cornering performance by braking the inside wheels to counter any understeer experienced when accelerating through a bend.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES: COMFORT, STABILITY AND CONTROL

• Suspension engineered for comfort, stability and responsiveness
• MacPherson strut front arrangement and rear multi-link system
• Ventilated disc brakes all round and electronic parking brake

The Urban Cruiser’s suspension is designed and tuned for comfort, stability, responsive steering performance and low noise and vibration. A MacPherson strut arrangement is used at the front and a multi-link system at the rear. High-rigidity components in the rear set-up help maintain good tyre contact with the road and improve ride comfort when travelling over uneven ground.

All four wheels are equipped with 18-inch ventilated disc brakes; those at the front have two-piston callipers. An electric parking brake is provided as standard, with a convenient brake hold function.

IMPACTFUL SUV DESIGN

• Powerful exterior styling broadcasts Urban Cruiser’s SUV character
• “Urban Tech” design theme
• Signature Toyota “hammerhead” frontal look
• Tight turning circle contributes to easy urban driving

The Urban Cruiser’s exterior design broadcasts its authentic SUV quality. Developed on the theme “Urban Tech”, its sophisticated, mature styling generates a bold appearance from every angle.

Its SUV character is evident in the strong lower body treatment and robust sill and wheel arch mouldings and lower bumper sections.

The hammerhead front end is a contemporary Toyota design cue, accentuated here by a slim margin line around its leading edge. The visual effect is enhanced by slim headlight units with light guides for the horizontal LED daytime running lights and turn indicators, and a U-shaped garnish around a bi-LED that projects both headlight high and low beams. A strongly defined lower bumper with a gloss black finish accentuates the car’s wide stance.

At the rear, a powerfully designed rear lighting unit spans the width of the back door and wraps around into the car’s muscular haunches. LED lights are arranged in parallel lines to create a distinctive illumination signature.

The car’s overall dimensions are slightly greater than Toyota’s full hybrid B-SUV, the Yaris Cross.

Although the Urban Cruiser has a longer wheelbase, its turning radius (tyre) is just 5.2 m, making for easy manoeuvring in urban streets and tight parking spaces.

INTERIOR DESIGN: SPACIOUS AND VERSATILE

• Long wheelbase key to a spacious cabin
• SUV character reflected in commanding driving position with excellent all-round visibility
• Sliding rear seat system allows for increased room for rear seat passengers or load space as required
• Load capacity extends to a maximum 566 litres with seats fully folded

The Urban Cruiser benefits from a wheelbase that is long for a model in is class, at 2,700 mm and key to delivering a spacious and versatile interior. A low-set instrument panel with strong horizontal lines and a soft-touch finish amplifies the sense of space and openness.

The car’s authentic SUV character is reflected in a high driving position, with excellent all-round visibility, for driver and passengers alike.

The centre console design places key controls within close reach so operation does not impact on the driver’s focus on the road ahead.  They include a dial-type shift selector, electronic parking brake switch and, where fitted, AWD mode switches. Cup holders and, on High grade, a wireless smartphone charger is integrated in the design, which forms a bridge over a handy open storage tray. This lower section of the console also houses a power outlet and USB-A and USB-C ports for device connection and charging.

The rationalised design incorporates some controls in the multimedia touchscreen in place of physical switches, such as those for the seat heaters. The air conditioning system can be operated using switches or the screen.

The cabin has a smart black and grey finish with either fabric upholstery (Mid-grade) or a combination of fabric with high-quality animal-free material (High grade). The cabin atmosphere can be tailored to suit the journey or the driver’s mood with an ambient lighting system that offers a choice of 12 different colour settings and seven brightness levels, highlighting the door panels and console tray.

Thanks to a sliding rear seat system, the couple distance between the front and rear passengers can be adjusted in a range from 690 to 850 mm – the latter figure rivalling that found in much larger SUVs. The rear seats split-fold 40:20:40 and can also be reclined. The overall interior length is 3,050 mm.

The designed-in flexibility allows the interior to be easily adapted for extra passenger comfort or extended load space, according to need. The load compartment measures 675 mm deep, 1,020 mm wide and 659 mm high. With the rear seats folded, the depth extends to 1,455 mm.

When the rear seats are in their furthest forward position, there are 310 litres of luggage space, loading to the roof. Move the seats to their rearmost position and the volume is 244 litres. Maximum capacity, with the seats fully folded, is 566 litres.

Convenient features for rear seat passengers include two USB ports in the rear console for device charging, a smartphone tray and folding centre armrest.

High grade models come equipped as standard with a Cold Pack, which brings together a range of features designed for on-board comfort and improved visibility. These include heated door mirrors and an L-shaped windscreen de-icer on the exterior. Inside the vehicle, occupants benefit from heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and extra ducting to channel warm air to the rear of the cabin.

FULLY DIGITAL USER EXPERIENCE

• Seamless integration of 10.25-inch driver’s digital combimeter and 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen
• Both displays customisable to suit driver preferences
• Wireless smartphone integration and charger
• Access to remote and connected services via the MyToyota app

Clarity, ease of use and personalisation are the key qualities in a digital user experience across the Urban Cruiser’s instrumentation and multimedia functions.

The instrument panel seamlessly integrates a 10.25-inch combimeter and 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen display into a single unit. Both displays can be customised to suit the driver’s priories for information and preferences for layout and readability.

The multimedia system provides intuitive operation and prompt response. It offers both an embedded navigation system and access to efficient cloud-based route planning that is able to factor in the latest traffic flow information.

Smartphones can be wirelessly integrated with the vehicle via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. High grade models provide a wireless device charger as standard.

Customers can also monitor and manage their car’s performance and functions remotely using the MyToyota app. Features include management of the battery’s charging schedule and checks on its state of charge. It also provides convenience functions such as door locking and unlocking and operation of the air conditioning to warm or cool the cabin before making a journey.

SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

• Standard provision of extensive active safety and driving assistance features, beyond what might be expected in a B-SUV
• Brake Support System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition provided on all Urban Cruiser models
• Easier, safer manoeuvring with a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor
• Robust construction designed to protect high-voltage components in a collision

Driving is made easier and safer with a comprehensive array of technically advanced active safety and driver assistance features. The provisions go beyond what might typically be expected of a B-segment model.

All Urban Cruiser versions are equipped with a Brake Support System. Its capabilities include recognising imminent collision risks, with other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. It will first alert the driver to take action and, if necessary, initiate braking to help avoid or mitigate the consequences of an impact. If a collision does happen and an airbag is inflated, multiple collision braking is activated to help prevent a secondary impact.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keep Assist is also standard features and help ease the burden of driving by keeping the car at a selected speed and safe distance from vehicles ahead, with smooth braking and acceleration in line with the traffic flow. Lane Departure Prevention helps keep the car safely within its driving lane and Traffic Sign Recognition provide useful visual confirmation of speed limits and principal traffic warnings and commands in the driver’s instrument combimeter.

A Driving Monitor Systems constantly monitors the driver’s face and will recognise signs of them becoming tired, distracted or falling asleep. If it detects an issue, it will sound a warning and display a message recommending the driver takes a break or keeps their eyes on the road.

On the High grade Urban Cruiser, the LED headlights use an Adaptive High-beam System that automatically adapts forward illumination to maximise the driver’s view without dazzling oncoming traffic.

Safer driving and manoeuvring are supported by front and rear parking sensors and a Rear Cross Traffic Alert system. This warns of vehicles approaching from either side when the driver reverses out of a parking space or driveway. The specification also includes a Blind Spot Monitor, warning the driver of vehicles passing on either side that might not be visible in the door and rear-view mirrors.

High grade models further benefit from a 360-degree camera system. This uses four cameras around the car to provide a complete view of its surroundings, making it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces or drive safely over rough, uneven surfaces.

In the event of a collision, the Urban Cruiser’s construction provides robust protection both for occupants and the high-voltage powertrain components. Energy-absorbing front and rear members and upper and lower load paths create an impact buffer zone in a frontal or rear-end collision. In a side-on impact, energy-absorbing mounts help protect the battery.

This “BEV DNA” includes true SUV packaging, authentic all-wheel drive performance, powertrain efficiency and essential Toyota Quality, Durability and Reliability.

The bZ4X has proved a sales success, with more than 150,000 units sold since launch, making it the third most popular model in its segment in Europe. It has earned particular praise for its dynamic performance, particularly in wintry conditions, and for its genuine off-road capabilities.

This was only the beginning. Toyota has worked on continuous improvement of all aspects of the bZ4X to raise the level of performance, efficiency, comfort and driver rewards.

The new bZ4X is much more than a mid-life refresh. Its electric powertrain is comprehensively upgraded with new batteries that deliver more power, faster charging and an extended driving range. With two battery capacities now available, there is more customer choice, with versions to suit different driving needs and budgets. Peace of mind is provided by Toyota’s Battery Care Programme which guarantees 70% of original battery capacity still being retained for up to 1,000,000 km or 10 years of vehicle use*.

As well as more power, charging times are quicker and driving range is longer. A 22 kW on-board charger is featured on the new High-grade model. Updated eAxles, with integrated electric motor, transaxle and inverter, are focused on reducing internal energy losses helping raise performance efficiency.

Handling, steering response and ride comfort are prioritised in detailed tuning of the suspension and steps to increase body rigidity.

The distinctive hammerhead frontal design has more emphasis with new design tweaks while the open and spacious cabin has a new, horizontally aligned dashboard featuring an enlarged (14-inch) multimedia display and “digital island” centre console. A series of measures have been introduced to further reduce noise and vibration reaching the interior.

NEW HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERIES WITH ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

• Two new lithium-ion battery options with 57.7 or 73.1 kWh
• Optimised design accommodates more cells, contributing to an extended driving range – up to 569 km (WLTP cycle)
• AWD model gains 1,500 kg towing capacity
• Performance enhanced with new battery cooling system
• Cold temperature charging times improved with battery heating and pre-conditioning functions

 Dual battery option

The new bZ4X provides greater consumer choice and enhances its performance profile with the introduction of two new battery options.

The mid-size SUV is available with a choice of a 57.7 kWh or 73.1 kWh unit (gross capacity figures), so that customers can specify a version that best suits their driving requirements and their budget.

The 57.7 kWh battery is exclusive to the Mid-grade front-wheel drive bZ4X. The higher capacity 73.1 kWh unit is available in both front and all-wheel drive versions.

Thus, there is a choice of three drivetrains:

The maximum driving range is achieved by the front-wheel drive model with the 73.1 kWh battery and 18-inch wheels; this version has a WLTP cycle distance of 569 km on a full charge. Moreover, in AWD configuration, the bZ4X is now able to tow braked trailers up to 1,500 kg, adding another dimension to its authentic SUV status. With front wheel-drive, towing capacity remains at 750 kg.

New battery structure

The new batteries, supplied by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), are configured so that more cells – 26 – can be contained in each module, without increasing the unit’s overall dimensions. The 57.7 kWh battery has 78 cells and the new high-capacity unit 104 cells. This compares to the previous unit’s 96. PPES is a joint venture company owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (51%) and Panasonic Corporation (49%) established in 2019.

Improvements in battery charging times

Toyota’s aim was for the new bZ4X to offer improved DC-charging times and high-performance consistency across a wide range of temperatures, in particular in cold conditions. This has been achieved through a series of measures, including enhancements to the battery and its control systems, software and hardware adjustments, a new pre-conditioning system. For AC-charging, a new 22 kW on-board charger is standard for High-grade, (11 kW OBC on other grades).

Battery pre-conditioning

A new battery pre-conditioning function is key to reducing the charging times, particularly in cold climates. This ensures the battery is at its optimum temperature when charging begins. With the battery fully pre-heated, a DC fast charge from 10 to 80% will take 28 minutes, performance that is consistent across an outdoor temperature range from -10 to +25°C.

The driver can activate pre-conditioning manually via the car’s multimedia system, schedule it to start at a specific time, or it will engage automatically when a fast-charging point is programmed as a destination in the car’s navigation system.

Consistent performance with battery cooling and heating

The water-cooling arrangement uses refrigerant from the car’s air conditioning system when needed to reduce the coolant temperature. The cooler operates from the battery’s lower surface so that each cell is cooled evenly. The standard provision of a heat pump in the air conditioning system ensures energy-efficient performance.

The battery heating function provides uniform heating of all the cells, with consistent operation even in very low temperatures, helping to reduce charging time. The system uses a water-to-water heat exchanger located between the high and low temperature coolant circuits.

Driver information

The driver is kept up-to-date on key battery performance data with new functions added to the 7-inch combimeter. These include current (real-time) charging power, the time remaining to reach 80% SoC; and battery state-of-health, with remaining capacity.

EV Routing

The bZ4X benefits from a BEV navigation function which automatically proposes a route with recommended convenient charging stations, based on the battery’s state of charge and remaining driving range. The function is dynamic, so recommendations will be updated in real time, based on the car’s actual energy consumption during the drive.

Solar roof

A solar roof is available as an option on the High-grade bZ4X. This captures solar energy to help charge the battery. The actual range provided depends on location and light conditions. For example, in Toyota testing, 2.200 hours of sunshine per year in Nagoya, Japan, generated enough energy for up to 1,800 km of driving

POWERTRAIN WITH NEW eAXLES

• New, compact and lightweight eAxles, integrating the electric transaxle, motor and inverter
• More efficient inverter performance with new silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors
• Focused measures to reduce internal energy losses
• Enhanced AWD dynamic performance with new turning control system to control front and rear drive torque in cornering

The complete update of the bZ4X’s BEV platform includes the adoption of updated eAxles. These compact, lightweight units integrate the key electric drive components: transaxle, motor and inverter. The space-saving design contributes to giving the vehicle shorter overhangs, a lower centre of gravity and more cabin and load space.

Their full-scale revision for the new model focused on both output and efficiency with the goal of delivering more power with lower energy consumption.

As a result, maximum output from the front motor is up by more than 11%, from 150 to 167 kW, while maximum power from the rear unit increased from 80 to 87 kW. In the all-wheel drive bZ4X, the combined output is 252 kW/ 343 DIN hp, making this one of the most powerful Toyota models available in Europe, outside the GR performance range. This power is comfortably handled by the powertrain, which features a pre-load differential and equal-length left and right driveshafts to ensure straight-line driveability.

New silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors in the inverter are key to this achievement. These are more efficient than the previous silicon type in handling high voltages, operating at high temperatures and delivering higher outputs.

Toyota also sought to reduce energy losses wherever possible. This included applying a super-polishing process to the surfaces of the gear teeth in the transaxle. Further gains were made by introducing an electric oil pump which uses less energy than the previous mechanical type.

Improved power distribution

The driving experience in the bZ4X AWD is enhanced with a new turning control system that predicts the line a driver intends taking through a bend, based on factors such as vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The level of front and rear drive torque is automatically controlled to secure stable and controllable performance appropriate for the driving conditions.

• As the driver begins to turn the steering wheel, drive torque to the front wheels is increased for a quicker turn-in.
• Moving through the corner, rear wheel drive torque is increased for line-tracing faithful to the driver’s intention.
• On exiting the corner, rear drive torque is further increased to enhance traction and communicate a direct acceleration feel to the driver.

If the system detects any wheel-slip or senses snow on the road, it will prioritise stability, controlling the ratio of rear-wheel drive torque appropriately.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE

• Authentic off-road driving capability using X-MODE and Grip Control
• Multi-Terrain Monitor with under-vehicle view
• 500 mm wading depth
• Panoramic View Monitor available for precise manoeuvring and parking

The bZ4X’s all-wheel drive system was developed by Toyota with project partner Subaru. In 2022 it was introduced as an all-new package benefiting from both companies’ extensive technical know-how and experience. It produced an unprecedented new value for BEVs, giving the SUV genuine, class-leading off-road driving capability – a market first for an all-electric SUV.

The system gives the driver a range of selectable X-MODE settings which adjust vehicle performance when driving in dirt or snow; deep mud and snow at speeds below 20 km/h; and in tougher off-road conditions using Grip Control, at less than 10 km/h.

Using X-MODE with Grip Control allows the driver to concentrate on accurate steering while the system controls vehicle speed, whether travelling downhill, uphill or on level ground. On downhill slopes, the driver can also use the car’s Downhill Assist Control for a similar level of assistance.

The new bZ4X’s off-road credentials also extend to a wading depth of 500 mm.

Multi-Terrain Monitor

A Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) is available to help the drive judge the conditions when travelling off-road. The system uses four cameras that provide a real-time view of the area immediately around the car, eliminating blind spots. There is also an under-vehicle view to help the driver check the position of the rear wheels and the road surface.

When using X-MODE, a seamless image is presented showing the under-floor view and dual side views; the information includes an inclinometer and the angle of vehicle pitch and roll.

Panoramic View Monitor

The Panoramic View Monitor helps with precise parking and manoeuvres and, like the MTM, provides an under-floor view option. The latest update reduces blind spots even further; it can also be operated using voice commands.

NEW EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN FEATURES

• Signature hammerhead frontal design given emphasis with new central light bar
• Reprofiled front end projects a strong 3D look, expressing stability and power
• New, slim horizontal dashboard increases cabin sense of space and openness
• New 14-inch multimedia screen and “digital island” centre console
• Interior mood enhanced by 64-colour ambient lighting and optional panoramic roof
• New upholstery materials made from recycled PET

New frontal treatment

The overall design concept for the bZ4X is robust and sleek, combining urban refinement with toughness appropriate for exploring the great outdoors.

The principal exterior design changes focus on developing the signature Toyota hammerhead frontal treatment to express a powerful, sporty feel. The slim headlight units are linked by a new central LED clearance light that traces the leading edge of the hammerhead shape, producing a strong illumination signature.

The lower grille and bumper are revised, helping generate a stronger 3D impression and expressing a stable, planted stance. The sleek and elegant qualities of the design are reflected in a new piano black gloss finish for the wheel arch trims.

The bZ4X’s sharp, contemporary styling is amplified by a wide choice of paint colours, in (according to model grade) monotone or contrast bi-tone finishes. New-design 18-inch alloy wheels feature aero-efficient full resin covers. The new 20-inch rims are all-alloy with a contrasting black and bright machined finish and resin ornamentation that helps manage airflow.

Aerodynamic detailing

Further styling details enhance the car’s aerodynamic performance. On versions without a high-mounted spoiler, the upper edge of the ducktail spoiler has been raised by 5 mm, and the rear garnish has been brought closer to the level of the rear window glass.

Meanwhile, beneath the car, the underbody is smoother with an increase in the undercover’s surface area. In combination the changes improve the bZ4X’s drag coefficient (Cd) from 0.29 to 0.27, contributing to its performance efficiency and extended driving range.

Interior with new instrument panel

An all-new, ultra-slim instrument panel has a horizontal design that amplifies the sense of space and openness in the cabin. The elegant unit flows into the upper door trims and houses new, slimmer air vent registers between a lower pad and the upper surface.

The driver’s instrument display is repositioned above the level of the steering wheel, so less eye movement is needed to take in data and information. The steering wheel itself now benefits from heating around its full circumference and new paddle controls can be used braking regeneration selection, with four levels available.

The digital driver’s combimeter provides additional BEV-specific information, including details of charging performance and time remaining to achieve 80% state of charge.

An indicator showing the battery’s state of health is another new feature. This gives the driver full transparency of the battery condition and remaining capacity, in line with Toyota’s commitment to Quality, Durability and Reliability and the guarantee provided by its battery care package.

The new 14-inch multimedia screen replaces the previous 12.3-inch display. It occupies a prominent central position while the centre console is set 10 cm lower to form an independent “digital island”, housing the dial-type shift selector and twin wireless device chargers for the driver and front passenger.

The rear console has twin USB ports with power increased from 15 to 60W. They are now positioned on top of the unit for easier access, with a redesign also moving the rear air vents closer to the passengers. Storage points include a lower tray in the console, large enough to take a pair of shoes or tissue box. Convenience is designed into the console box which is hinged to open left or right and has space for a tablet, first aid kit and glasses. The cup holders and redesigned door pockets can accommodate both large and small water bottles.

Climate control system

The system provides two-layer operation: fresh air with low humidity is introduced into the upper cabin, which helps prevent fogging, while warm air is recirculated in the lower section around the occupants’ feet, improving heating performance while saving energy.

The air conditioning ECO mode is enhanced so that heating can be focused on the driver when other seats are unoccupied, with air volume and temperature controlled and seat and steering wheel heaters engaged. This provides a warm space while conserving power.

Panoramic roof

The cabin is given a lighter and more open feel with the removal of the central reinforcement from the panoramic roof. This has been made possible by using ultra-high-strength steel and strengthening the roof connection points. As a result, the glass section has been increased by 20%.

Ambient lighting

A new ambient lighting system is available, offering a choice of 64 colours to create the right mood for any journey, from cool and relaxing to sporty and invigorating. It also provides an additional warning linked to the car’s Safe Exit Assist, lighting the interior door handles red if there’s a risk of opening a door into the path of traffic approaching from the rear.

New recycled upholstery materials

According to model grade, different upholstery options have been introduced using recycled and non-animal products. These include a new fabric made from recycled PET yarn and a soft but durable synthetic leather with an attractive grained finish.

THE eTNGA MODULAR ARCHITECTURE

• Toyota’s eTNGA modular EV platform provides fundamental benefits of high body rigidity, low centre of gravity and responsive vehicle dynamics
• Aluminium reinforcements introduced to protect new, wider battery pack
• Long wheelbase helps secure spacious cabin and load compartment

The bZ4X’s eTNGA – the Toyota global architecture modular platform purpose-designed for battery electric vehicles – continues to provide the SUV with the essential benefits of a highly rigid body, a low centre of gravity and responsive, controllable vehicle dynamics.

As the new vehicle batteries are 170 mm wider than the previous unit, the platform has been updated with the addition of aluminium EA (extruded material) reinforcements to provide extra protection in the event of a side impact.

The eTNGA’s modular platform design has allowed it to be developed for electric vehicles of different types and sizes, accommodating batteries with varying dimensions and outputs, and with front or all-wheel drivetrain. In addition to the bZ4X, it is also deployed in the all-new Toyota C-HR+ that will be launched with announcement of prices and opening of order books at the end of 2025.

In the bZ4X, the platform allows for a long, 2,850 mm wheelbase – 160 mm longer than the current Toyota RAV4. The result is excellent interior space, both in the cabin and the load compartment. Notably, rear seat passengers enjoy a one-metre couple distance and a flat floor, with leg room that rivals larger vehicles.

The flexible load space has a two-level deck board and an underfloor space that can be used to increase load height by 71 mm. With the rear seats in place and the deck board in its lower position, there is up to 452 l (VDA) – room enough for three 82 l suitcases or two mountain bikes. Beneath the deck board there is a tool kit and space for the car’s charging cable and a warning triangle; the folding tonneau cover can also be stowed.

DRIVING DYNAMICS, RIDE QUALITY AND ON-BOARD COMFORT

• Detailed suspension tuning to raise the levels of comfort and dynamic performance
• Optimised spring and damper rates, with focus on an improved ride for rear seat passengers
• Measures introduced for enhanced line tracing performance and predictable vehicle behaviour

The bZ4X’s handling is well-regarded by critics, particularly in driving off-road or on uneven surfaces. Nonetheless, Toyota has introduced a series of adjustments to the car’s suspension to improve comfort – particularly for rear seat passengers – dynamic behaviour and steering responsiveness.

The coil spring and damper rates are tuned to raise the levels of comfort, stability and controllability and the level of shock feeling, particularly for rear passengers is reduced, making long journeys more comfortable.

Adjustment of the front lower arm bushing helps secure better line tracing and predictable vehicle behaviour in wet and snowy conditions. Control and responsiveness are further enhanced by a rigid mount for the steering gear in place of the original bushing and the introduction of a thicker and stiffer radiator mount.

Ride comfort benefits from the use of a high-damping body adhesive in the vehicle floor to increase vibration absorption.

A quieter cabin

With less noise generated by the powertrain, other external sounds become more noticeable. A series of new measures further reduce cabin noise levels in the new bZ4X.

These include acoustic glass introduced in the front side windows and foam material added at key points in the inner body frame. The level of motor noise entering the cabin is reduced by a new silencer beneath the rear floor and new sound-absorbing materials in the rear wing liners. An increase in the damping performance of the rear motor mounts reduces vibration when driving over a rough surface.

In addition, rear wheelhouse silencers are used, and the sealant performance of the rear quarter lights has been improved.

TOYOTA T-MATE SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

• Comprehensive package of active safety and driver assistance systems
• Latest generation Toyota Safety Sense features
• Over-the-air software updates provide convenient, seamless delivery of the latest system developments

The new bZ4X carries forward the model’s comprehensive Toyota T-Mate package of wide-ranging support and safety features, including the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense.

The preventive safety systems can detect a wider range of accident risk scenarios in everyday driving, alert the driver and initiate drive force, steering and braking assistance if needed to help avoid a collision or mitigate the effects if an impact cannot be avoided.

For example, making a left or right turn across the flow of traffic at a busy intersection presents hazards not just from oncoming and crossing traffic, but also from pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road you are turning into. The Pre-Collision System (PCS) monitors the road for these hazards, warning the driver or initiating emergency braking if there’s an imminent risk of an impact.

A pedestrian stepping off the kerb, or a vehicle stranded on the roadside can prompt the driver to swerve. The PCS provides Emergency Steering Assist, helping steer around the hazard while keeping the car stable and within its traffic lane. The system also recognises when there’s a risk of a collision from sudden, sharp acceleration during low-speed driving, automatically regulating the driving force and providing braking control.

Even a brief loss of concentration can cause a car to wander off-course; with Lane Trace Assist, the bZ4X will keep to its correct path, guided by the markings on the road, the road margin or the vehicle ahead. The system will co-operate with the Full-Range Adaptive Cruise Control, so the vehicle’s speed is safely adjusted when travelling through a highway bend. It also keeps an eye on the driver’s use of the steering wheel, brakes and accelerator pedal: if they are not used for a certain amount of time, it will initiate an Emergency Driving Stop System.

Safe Exit Assist helps avoid the common risk of inadvertently opening a car door into the path of a vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian approaching from the rear. It uses the car’s Blind Spot Monitor to scan the road and flash a warning should driver or passenger be about to open the door and risk a collision.

With Proactive Driving Assist, the bZ4X is able to scan the road ahead, calculate collision risks and operate the brakes and steering at an early stage to help prevent an accident. This can be, for example, a person or cyclist close to the edge of the road or about to cross, or a vehicle ahead.

Over-the-air software updates for multimedia system and safety functions ensure the latest developments are delivered seamlessly, without the owner having to take their vehicle to a workshop.

CONNECTED AND REMOTE SERVICES WITH MyToyota APP

• MyToyota app provides access to BEV-specific functions and services
• Connection to Toyota HomeCharge wallbox for time and cost-efficient charging scheduling
• Access to the pan-European Toyota Charging Network for charging away from home
• Remote functions including pre-journey vehicle heating or cooling

The MyToyota app makes bZ4X ownership easy and convenient, providing a series of BEV-specific functions and services.

They include connection to the Toyota HomeCharge domestic wallbox, so that owners can easily monitor, manage and control their domestic charging schedule. This includes scheduling smart charging for times when electricity price tariffs are lower. Customers can also check their billing history at a glance. 

The MyToyota app links to the Toyota Charging Network, which provides seamless access to one of the largest pan-European EV charging networks. Again, budgeting is made simple with billing information displayed on the app.

Owners can obtain an instant read-out of their vehicle’s state of charge on their smartphone. And for easy navigation to a charging point, a Send to Car function allows users to transmit a selected location from their phone directly to their car.

The app further allows remote activation of the climate control, to heat or cool the cabin efficiently ahead of a journey, reducing the demand on air conditioning systems during the trip and thus potentially increasing the driving range.

To further maximise range, a BEV coaching tool assesses previous journeys and offers advice on how to improve driving range and efficiency.

Digital key

The convenience of a digital key is provided as part of the new bZ4X’s standard specification. Using a smartphone app, the owner can share the key remotely with others, for example giving family members access to the vehicle, or to enable deliveries, vehicle cleaning or collection for servicing. It also allows multiple cars in a household to be operated by a single phone.

The user only needs to be carrying their phone with the digital key for the doors to be unlocked and the EV system to be started. To drive the car, the app needs to be opened.

MARKET INTRODUCTION AND EQUIPMENT GRADES

• New bZ4X available in several European markets from December
• Full roll-out in early 2026
• Model range rationalised into two equipment grades – Mid and High
• Standard features include new 14-inch multimedia screen, heated steering wheel, Blind Spot Monitor and digital key

The new bZ4X will be introduced in several European markets in December, followed by others through January and February 2026.

The model range is simplified to two equipment grades – Mid and High. The Mid-grade is available with the 57.7 kWh battery and front-wheel drive and the 73.1 kWh battery with front and all-wheel drive. High-grade versions use the higher capacity battery, with front or all-wheel drive.

Key features of the Mid-grade with 57.7 kWh battery include new-design 18-inch wheels, 14-inch multimedia display, nanoe-E air quality system, heated steering wheel, parking support brake, Blind Spot Monitor, 11 kW on-board charger, digital key and an, in cold regions, an electric windscreen de-icer.

With the more powerful battery the specification includes a 22 kW on-board charger, Panoramic View Monitor, footwell lighting and windscreen de-icer (left-hand drive versions). The Toyota Safety Sense package is extended to include Lane Change Assist and Front Cross Traffic Alert.

The High-grade models are equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, a digital rear-view mirror, Auto Park system, full synthetic leather upholstery, heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory setting, front radiant heaters and heated rear seats. High-grade options include a panoramic roof, JBL premium audio system, 18-inch wheels, bi-tone paint finish and a solar roof.

That popularity is founded on consistently delivering qualities valued in the heart of the market: the famous Toyota Quality, Durability and Reliability together with practicality, versatility and efficient yet rewarding performance. All this – and more – is featured in the new Corolla for 2026.

The latest updates focus on appearance and sustainability. New colours have been added to the Corolla palette, in a Corolla-first, an exclusive Onyx Grey matt finish for the performance-inspired GR SPORT hatchback and Touring Sports versions, and a new Storm Grey metallic.

The introduction of Onyx Grey matt finish is a notable first for Toyota’s European manufacturing. Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston factory is the first facility to introduce this radical new colour on a volume-production vehicle. It brings a new dimension to Corolla’s appeal, the eye-catching matt finish giving the car’s sculpted curves added visual emphasis. This new colour option will be introduced first in the UK before the end of 2025, followed by other European markets in 2026.

Storm Grey, meanwhile, is a deeply polished metallic shade with a timeless quality that creates a subtle high-tech impression.

Corolla’s environmental profile is strengthened with the use of Samara upholstery, a hard-wearing but pleasingly tactile fabric made from recycled materials. On the Mid grade hatchback and Touring Sports models, Samara is being more widely used across the seatbacks and cushions. Its use is also being extended to include dedicated seat designs in the Sedan Mid+ model for the first time. Toyota’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in leather alternatives being used for the steering wheel and shift lever trims.

Today’s Corolla range benefits from the latest generation of Toyota’s world-leading full hybrid technology, with customers enjoying the choice of two highly efficient powertrains. The 1.8 and 2.0-litre options are both characterised by smooth refined, performance combined with low fuel consumption and emissions. The 2.0-litre version delivers a maximum 178 DIN hp for those seeking a sharper performance edge.

As a car that has consistently kept pace with the times and customers’ evolving preferences and requirements, Corolla today benefits from a fully digital user experience. That includes a 12.3-inch combimeter – standard on all versions –which can be customised to suit the driver’s information preferences. The digital package also includes the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system with a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with functions including access to cloud-based route navigation that benefits from up-to-the-minute traffic information.

Likewise, Corolla remains at the forefront of providing Toyota T-Mate advanced safety and driver assistance systems as standard. The Toyota Safety Sense package supports the driver in recognising a wide range of everyday accident hazards, providing alerts and, if necessary, drive force, braking and steering assistance to help avoid a collision, or lessen the consequences if an impact occurs. As with the multimedia, systems benefit from seamless and convenient over-the-air updates.

Corolla remains a core model for Toyota in Europe, with local production of the hatchback and Touring Sports wagon at Toyota Manufacturing UK and the stylish sedan at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey.

Sales of the 2026 Toyota Corolla will commence from March 2026, according to local market.

The following press materials are now available:

• Replay of the Toyota, Lexus and Century press conferences
• Toyota Group press conference script
• Lexus press conference script
• Century press conference script
• Pictures of Century, Lexus and Toyota displayed vehicles and press conferences

As a landmark model in the C-SUV segment with its stand-out design, fun-to-drive character and high-tech features, the Toyota C-HR has proved popular with customers. Since its 2017 debut, the Toyota C-HR has sold over one million units across Europe.

The Toyota C-HR was developed specifically for the expectations of European customers via local design, engineering and production. True to the vision of a 'concept car for the road', it features an iconic coupe silhouette and sophisticated design execution. It also benefits from an engaging driving experience, as well as ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrain options.

Expressing a dual DNA, the 2.0-litre Plug-in Hybrid delivers the smooth driving of a true electric vehicle with a range sufficient for most customers' daily driving needs, up to 66 km (WLTP combined) and increasing to around 100 km in urban driving conditions (WLTP EAER City). On longer journeys, Toyota’s class-leading hybrid technology ensures continuous efficiency, providing customers with reassurance and flexibility whatever the destination.

Predictive Efficient Drive helps the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid optimise battery usage and range, using an innovative geo-fencing function which automatically switches between hybrid and electric modes. This ensures sufficient EV range to navigate upcoming low emission or BEV-mandatory zones.

The Mid+ grade has now been updated to add further sophistication. New 18-inch matt black machined alloy wheels are exclusive to this grade and feature a striking black centre ornament. The elegant new Samara fabric, which is introduced to the front and rear seats, increases the portion of recycled materials used compared to the previous Mid+ grade by extending across the seat’s full central element. Samara has a grey appearance with subtle background hints of mixed colours and is complemented by dark grey and black fabric on the seat sides. Grey stitching on the front seats adds a stylish touch to the cabin, complemented by a sleek gunmetal gear shift knob decoration.

The GR SPORT grade, which is inspired by Toyota’s World Championship-winning motorsports teams, is now accessible to a wider range of customers thanks to addition of the 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain, with 140 DIN hp. In common with the existing 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid (223 DIN hp) and hybrid (180 DIN hp) options, it includes a head-up display as standard, as well as optional panorama roof, bi-tone+ colouring – which consists of a contrasting black colour across the roof and rear body panels – and premium JBL sound system. In 1.8-litre specification, 19-inch alloy wheels are included as standard, while the 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid and hybrid variants feature 20-inch wheels.

All grades now offer the newly introduced Storm Grey and Lunar Sky Blue colours, which bring a fresh, modern look. Meanwhile, a Driver Monitor Camera – which detects signs of distraction or fatigue and is linked to the vehicle’s Emergency Driving Stop System – is included as standard.

     The updated Toyota C-HR range is available to order across Europe now.

The GR Yaris is a high-performance hatchback genuinely born in motorsports, having been inspired by the winning combination of power, poise and precise control of the GR YARIS Rally1 competition car which competes in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Fittingly, the new GR Yaris Aero Performance grade makes its European public debut via a display at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, round seven of the 2025 WRC season on 26-29 June. It will also be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 10-13 July, participating in the hill climb competition.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s commitment to making ever-better cars through motorsports, by analysing driving data, reviewing direct feedback from drivers and examining damaged parts in detail, has driven a constant enhancement of the GR Yaris since its 2020 launch.

The new Aero Performance grade is a result of that philosophy, and it features six performance aerodynamic parts that were developed through an uncompromising approach to achieving targeted performance by addressing every issue. Through competition driving, improvement areas were identified and fine-tuned with the contribution of professional drivers.

A new large cooling duct and grille on the aluminium bonnet shares its contoured shape with the carbon-fibre bonnet of the GRMN Yaris. During high-speed driving it improves cooling by discharging heat from the engine compartment. It was developed and proven in the Japanese Rally Championship.

Racing in Super Taikyu helped to achieve a higher level of aerodynamic balance using a front lip spoiler, which suppresses front lift to improve the vehicle’s overall lift balance and enhance grip. The spoiler was added to the GR Yaris Aero Performance after being developed with professional racer Kazuya Oshima, a race-winning driver who competes with Rookie Racing in Japan’s Super Formula, Super GT and Super Taikyu championships.  

A large, variable rear spoiler contributes to high-speed handling as well as braking stability. Its angle can be manually adjusted to suit different circumstances, for example prior to circuit driving, for an even more enjoyable experience.

A new floor undercover draws inspiration from the flat bottom of the fuel tank used in Super Taikyu to optimise underbody airflow and further improve aerodynamic performance.

New fender ducts, located between the front wheel and the door, release rearward air that accumulates in the front wheelhouse. This improves the steering feel under heavy braking and enhances handling stability at corner entry.

Ducts on each side of the rear bumper decrease the drag coefficient by allowing smoother airflow under the car. They were developed via the uniquely harsh environment of motorsports in response to a scenario encountered by a GR Yaris in Super Taikyu, when a rear bumper was detached by aerodynamic loads.

The GR Yaris Aero Performance grade is available to order in Europe in autumn 2025

Toyota’s Hybrid 48V system 

Toyota’s new mild hybrid system has been designed for simple integration. Being more compact than the Toyota full hybrid system, it can be more easily fitted to existing powertrains without requiring significant redesigns or re-engineering. Thanks to this, the Hybrid 48V powertrain is also recently introduced to the new Toyota Hilux. 

The Hybrid 48V system uses the Land Cruiser’s established 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and introduces three principal new components: an electric motor-generator, which replaces the conventional alternator; a 48V lithium-ion battery; and a DC-DC converter which controls the energy flow battery and motor. 

The system in no way compromises the Land Cruiser’s ability to operate in extreme conditions and rough terrain. For example, the motor-generator has been positioned high on the engine block so that the vehicle can still wade at low speed through water up to 700 mm deep. 

Electric motor-generator 

The electric motor-generator – a permanent magnet synchronous type unit – is driven by the engine and in turn charges the lithium-ion battery. It brings multiple benefits to the driving experience, both on-road and off. 

It provides a regeneration function, recovering energy every time the driver comes off the throttle using engine braking. This is then used to provide the engine’s stop-start function and support acceleration, minimising waste. It improves efficiency, makes driving easier and produces natural-feeling deceleration. In on-road driving, acceleration when pulling away and deceleration are smooth and linear, contributing to a more composed and comfortable ride. 

On rougher, off-road surfaces, the motor-generator adds to the Land Cruiser’s ability to tackle obstacles. 

The operating status is indicated in the driver’s multi-information display with a read-out showing CHG (energy regeneration), ECO or PWR (providing assist in both cases). 

Stop-start performance 

The Hybrid 48V system enables quicker and quieter engine stop-start performance with less shock, making for an easier and more comfortable drive in traffic. 

As the motor-generator is always connected, there is less delay in immediate engine restarts after stopping. It also allows for restarts at high engine speeds. 

The system will operate an auto-stop when driving in heavy traffic, or when the driver accidentally restarts the engine by reducing their pressure on the brake pedal. 

The driver can set their preference for stop and start performance, selecting NORMAL or LONG in the vehicle’s multi-information display. When choosing LONG, the engine’s idling stop time is increased when the air conditioning is operating. 

When the vehicle is on an uphill gradient, there may be a slight delay between engine restart and the generation of drive torque. As an auxiliary function, the stop and start system will maintain the brake pressure until sufficient drive torque is generated, to achieve a smooth start-off. Also, when the vehicle is on a level surface, the system offsets any excess drive torque produced on restart. 

Injection volume control has been optimised to support the system’s responsiveness, balanced against the level of shock experienced during acceleration. 

Lithium-ion hybrid battery 

The 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery features 13 cells and a 4.3 Ah capacity. Weighing just 7.6 kg, it has been designed with compact internal components to allow for integration beneath a revised deck board layout, helping to limit the impact on overall load space.

When fully charged, it can supply up to an additional 12 kW of power and 65 Nm of torque to the powertrain at start-off. 

Both the hybrid battery and the low-profile DC-DC converter are protected against water ingress, and as much cooling air as possible is drawn into the battery from the front of the vehicle, with a lower temperature than the cabin air. A filter helps prevent the build-up of dust in the battery’s cooling paths and fan helps prevent battery performance deteriorating in high temperatures. 

Two-arm belt-tensioner 

The motor-generator operates with two-arm belt tensioner which has been designed specifically for use in diesel engine vehicles and to meet the demands of rough-road driving. As well as providing the required the level of belt tension, it also provides restart assistance and improved acceleration response. Noise and vibration performance is on par with gasoline engine vehicles. 

The belt’s material composition is key to its performance. A high-strength cotton fabric layer on the ribbed side of the belt reduces noise, absorbs water and maintains its friction coefficient when wet. This helps achieve consistent performance in challenging conditions, for example when driving through water. 

A high-strength aramid cord is used at the core of the belt, enhancing reliability when tension increases are experienced, for example when the motor-generator starts the engine or the increases the level of power generation. 

Stoppers in the tensioner arms reduce abnormal noise and vibration caused by the arms striking the housing when switching to motor-generator mode. Bushes in the damping mechanism are designed to help prevent foreign bodies entering the sliding parts, such as dust and grit in rough road driving. 

Market introduction 

All European Land Cruiser models will adopt the Hybrid 48V system. National markets will be opening order books shortly with the first models expected to be with customers from the end of this year. 
 

With the lowest CO₂ emissions of any non-plug-in car on the market**, based on projected WLTP data, the new Aygo X provides a perfect combination of accessibility, fun-to-drive, design and advanced safety systems.

Designed and produced in Europe to bring a stylish solution to the demands of urban and suburban life, the Toyota Aygo X is a unique crossover in the A-segment. It takes its name and inspiration from the fun loving Aygo, which has been Toyota’s most accessible car in Europe since its 2005 introduction.

The Aygo X has attracted style conscious drivers looking for a compact and versatile vehicle which is ideal for a busy modern lifestyle and has proved enduringly popular with customers. More than 287,000 units have been sold since hitting Europe’s roads in 2022.

Now the new hybrid Aygo X expands that accessibility by offering the efficiency and flexibility of Toyota’s famous hybrid technology, guaranteeing full usability without compromises.

Toyota’s latest hybrid technology means the new Aygo X has more power and sharper acceleration for a more engaging – and more efficient – driving experience. Its confident stance allows drivers to express a cool urban chic, now strengthened by a distinctive new front grille and modern design.

As well as its nimble performance and modern new style, the hybrid Aygo X achieves the lowest CO₂ emissions of any non-plug-in vehicle on the market, according to projected WLTP data. It also boasts a smaller carbon footprint over the entire vehicle life cycle compared to its predecessor thanks to its efficient powertrain and improvements in production and logistics.

The new Aygo X will go on sale in the first European markets at the end of 2025.

Toyota’s smallest full hybrid

The new Aygo X introduces full hybrid power to the A-segment for the first time, extending electrification to the smallest and most accessible vehicle in Toyota’s range, without compromising its signature condensed crossover look.

The new powertrain, today available in Yaris and Yaris Cross, will fully replace the 1.0-litre petrol engine of its predecessor.

Adapting the Aygo X to accommodate the hybrid components whilst keeping the same 2,430 mm wheelbase and boot space as its predecessor required innovative packaging solutions. For the first time in a Toyota hybrid, the two stacks of battery cells are positioned alongside each other across the width of the floor in a longitudinal lay-out under the rear seats. Other Toyota hybrids are using a parallel configuration, which requires more lengthwise space. Smart use of the available space also sees the auxiliary battery moved under the boot space without affecting storage capacity.

To accommodate the larger hybrid powertrain, the front overhang has been extended by 76 mm, achieved through careful packaging optimisation while preserving the Aygo X’s proportions.

The latest Aygo X delivers a more energetic and exciting drive, with higher power and sharper acceleration, using the same hybrid technology found in the Toyota Yaris.

The benefits of full hybrid make the new Aygo X an ideal partner for modern city driving, with class-leading CO2 emissions of 86 g/km*. That ensures it meets the challenge of low emission zones whilst improved power opens a world of adventure by making longer drives more comfortable and stress free.

Overall system power output is increased by 44 DIN hp compared to the previous non-hybrid version, reaching a maximum of 116 DIN hp* and giving the Aygo X the agility desired for dynamic urban driving, with zero to 100 km/h acceleration in under 10 seconds.

The Aygo X has nimble handling for busy urban streets thanks to the GA-B platform of the Toyota Global New Architecture (TNGA) and the low positioning of the hybrid battery, which brings a low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body. A turning radius of 4.7 metres is ideal for manoeuvring with confidence in confined spaces.

As well as being more exciting and responsive to drive, the latest Aygo X is now quieter and smoother to ride for all passengers thanks to new noise damping components. Dash silencers, bonnet insulation and engine underbody cover combined with an updated exhaust system and silencer to create a peaceful journey. On higher grades, an even more serene ride comes via other noise reduction measures, including thicker window glass and additional sound proofing throughout the body.

Safety is a priority for all Toyotas, large and small, so the new Aygo X also benefits from comprehensive safety and driver assistance package, as a result of Toyota Safety Sense technology. This includes enhanced Pre-Collision System, Lane Trace Assist and Road Sign Assist features, as well as new Emergency Driving Stop System and Proactive Driving Assist. For the first time on an Aygo X, Toyota Safety Sense benefits from over the air updates to ensure the latest protection.

Stand-out compact SUV design

The Aygo X’s impulsive, “ready to go” attitude is updated for the latest version with a stylish all-new front design that displays an advanced, high-tech approach whilst emphasising its compact SUV identity.

A new hood, new headlamps and new front grille create a stronger stance and the impression of a low centre of gravity. That stance is enhanced by 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, depending on the grade, and black flared wheel arches.

Greater sophistication is achieved by moving the shut line of the bonnet forward. That creates a more premium feel, further emphasised by moving the turn indicators to a more discrete and modern location in the mirrors.

The optional bi-tone colour scheme boldly adds to the car’s dynamic presence, with black extending seamlessly from the roof across the rear and down to the side sills while refined exterior colour options draw inspiration from a ‘mellow spice’ concept, expressed through the distinctive Cinnamon, Jasmin, Tarragon, and Lavandula palettes. An exclusive Canvas roof style, which incorporates front grille-inspired elements in a unique gradation pattern, is also introduced as an option on higher grades.

Despite its compact external dimensions, the new Aygo X maximises interior space with a high driving position for superior visibility. Four passengers can sit in comfort, and there is space to carry anything from everyday essentials to larger luggage, thanks to the 231-litre boot capacity.

A renewed, clean interior design elevates experience which is more enjoyable, convenient and connected. A new 7-inch digital combi-meter and heater control panel create a more sophisticated, modern look, while an electronic parking brake comes as standard on all grades, as do two USB-C charging ports. A new wireless smartphone charger, a digital key, powered folding mirrors, and nanoeX™ technology for improved air quality are also available on higher grades.

Introducing the Aygo X GR SPORT

For the first time, a GR SPORT variant of the Aygo X is introduced, bringing a more engaging drive and striking sporty look.

The GR SPORT version, taking its name and inspiration from World Championship-winning TOYOTA GAZOO Racing motorsports teams, stands out strongly in the exclusive Mustard bi-tone colour scheme paired with a striking black hood for an energetic and eye-catching look.

The already bold Aygo X front grille gains the distinctive and exclusive “G-pattern” mesh seen elsewhere in the GR family, as well as unique GR SPORT alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, black and grey accents, plus GR logo embroidery, contribute to a sporty feeling.

The Aygo X GR SPORT is more fun to drive, too, after dedicated tuning of the shock absorbers and coil springs which deliver enhanced handling and optimised body roll, while tuned electric power steering gives a sharper response. Those improvements were specifically engineered for an exciting driving experience with no impact for ride comfort on urban streets.

A reduced carbon footprint

For modern customers, environmental awareness is increasingly motivating their choice of vehicle, and the hybrid Aygo X is created to provide excitement, convenience and efficiency to meets those needs.

Toyota's multi-pathway approach towards carbon neutrality focuses on providing a choice of solutions, regardless of where customers live or their individual circumstances. With the new hybrid Aygo X, Toyota opens a gateway to electrification for a wider audience in all vehicle segments.

By adopting a footprint driven design and looking at every stage of vehicle use, production and distribution, Toyota estimates a reduced lifetime carbon footprint of the new hybrid Aygo X by 18 %* compared to the previous generation. The ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain is the largest single factor, alongside use of new materials and efforts to reduce the impact of car production and logistics.

As an example, in-mould colour technology on specific components, whereby colour is applied directly during the injection moulding, is used to achieve an eye-catching effect and to reduce the CO2 emissions for the coating process, compared to painting.

Also contributing to a reduced carbon footprint is the use of recycled plastic and fabric for novel seat materials like the premium new SakuraTouch® for an animal-free interior.

SakuraTouch is made from more than 40%*** of plant-derived PVC from the by-products of wood kraft pulping, and also incorporates cork chip waste from the wine industry and recycled PET, but without compromising durability. This pioneering blend of material significantly reduces CO2 emissions during material production by 95% compared to genuine leather.

Furthermore, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech in Kolin, which produces the Aygo X, uses renewable electricity, while streamlined, smarter parts and vehicle logistics have also contributed.

The creation of the GR Yaris benefited from knowledge and technology gained through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s multi title-winning FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) team, thereby strongly expressing TGR’s philosophy of making ever-better cars through motorsports.

Since the model’s 2020 launch, motorsports participation has driven a constant enhancement of the GR Yaris, which has been pushed to its limits in the extreme environment of rallying and racing, where problems are thoroughly pursued, by analysing driving data, reviewing steering feel and examining damaged parts in detail.

Insights gained by participating in competitions such as Super Taikyu and the Japanese Rally Championship were incorporated into development of the evolved GR Yaris, which elevates driving performance, strengthens the connection between driver and car, and further amplifies the GR Yaris fun-to-drive sensation.

Performance of the eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, which delivers competition-standard rapid shifting, has been further optimised by detailed improvements to gear selection control, mainly during sporty driving. To enhance the two-pedal driving experience, the footrest has also been enlarged.

An evolved sense of ‘oneness’ with the car is generated by improving steering response and straight-line stability, using special bolts with higher fastening rigidity. A wider bolt head connects rear suspension members to the body, while the bolts fastening the front lower suspension arms and lower ball joints, as well as the rear shock absorbers and body, have a new ribbed flange. Suspension settings have been adjusted to accommodate those changes, as well as the increased torque used to tighten some of the conventional bolts.

Shock absorber damping force has also been modified to achieve both control and ride comfort, while the electric power steering has been tuned through repeated improvements. The contribution of professional race driver Kazuya Oshima has helped to improve steering feel and generate the sensation of a 1:1 relationship between steering wheel input and wheel response.

Meanwhile, the optional vertical handbrake which utilises insights gained from competing in the WRC, Japanese Rally Championship and other series, will now be available for both manual and automatic transmissions, starting with this evolved GR Yaris.

The evolved GR Yaris is available to order now in Europe.

Since its inception back in 2007, TGR implements a philosophy of challenging vehicles to extremes in motorsports environments, where technology is tested to breaking point and team members cultivate a mindset of teamwork and problem solving.

From its origins at the Nürburgring, TGR has taken this philosophy to a global stage, winning World Championships in rally, endurance races and rally-raids, and delivering another hat-trick of FIA manufacturers’ titles last year.

For 2025, TGR introduces even more spectacular challenges via this uncompromising approach, and its vision for taking technology and people further via new projects which push the limits for better.

When Akio Toyoda – aka Master Driver Morizo – and his driving mentor, Master Driver Hiromu Naruse, created GAZOO Racing in 2007, they selected the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race as the best proving ground for their philosophy that “roads build people, and people build cars”.

After a six-year hiatus, TGR will return to the Nürburgring in 2025 and unite for the first time with ROOKIE Racing, the private team established to make ever-better cars and develop human resources through the skills and dedication of different drivers. The two organisations will compete as TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) and the Nürburgring 24 Hours, as well as the Super Taikyu series in Japan.

TGRR will compete using a GR Yaris fitted with the newly developed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). That system, which automatically achieves ultra-fast downshifts to allow a driver to focus more strongly on steering, braking and acceleration, will be refined further through the rigours of competition.

Meanwhile, the mid-engined GR Yaris M Concept features an under-development 2.0-litre, inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged powerplant. This new engine pushes the limits of performance and efficiency, with very compact dimensions helping to generate a low centre of gravity. By pursuing a mid-ship lay-out – which features an engine installed in the middle of the vehicle – the GR Yaris M Concept can reap benefits in terms of weight distribution and centre of gravity, which allow sharper cornering performance. Through intensive testing in the 2025 Super Taikyu series, TGRR aims to implement “driver-first” car-making, in which vehicles are repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing, thoroughly incorporating the feedback of Morizo, professional drivers, and gentleman drivers.

Another concept born on the racetrack further emphasises TGR’s commitment to ever-better cars. The GR Yaris Aero Package is inspired by a passion for cars, motorsports and driving. A “driver-first” approach for the GR Yaris results in all learning from the test track or competition being directly implemented in vehicle development steps. The result is a concept featuring new high-performance aerodynamic updates, which also exert an eye-catching presence in terms of styling.

A rear wing with manually adjustable angle allows the driver to modify downforce levels depending on the circumstances. A grippier feeling for the driver is achieved by striking new front fender ducts, which are located behind the front wheels and adapt the air flow. Aerodynamic performance is further optimised by additional vents on both lower sides of the rear bumper which create air flow from the rear wheel housing. Meanwhile, a motorsports-style vent on the bonnet offers improved cooling, and a vertical handbrake is also included.

While TGR continues to explore technologies and redefine performance with the GR Yaris in motorsports, the current generation GR Supra reaches its ultimate expression with the A90 Final Edition. This special edition, which is available to order now, offers drivers an exhilarating blend of power, agility, and precision, all enhanced by a variety of motorsports-inspired modifications for even greater excitement.

Powertrain updates have increased output from 340 DIN hp (250 kW) to 441 DIN hp (324 kW) and torque from 500 Nm to 571 Nm. That achieves faster acceleration and response, while an additional 20km/h takes maximum speed to 270km/h. Cornering performance can be pushed to the limit from the new carbon fibre driver’s seat thanks to improvements such as damping-force-adjustable KW suspension, more direct steering, new 19-inch Brembo drilled brakes and wider, high-grip tyres.

Through such car development activities, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing aims to contribute towards potential solutions for carbon-neutral mobility, as well as to a sustainable and exciting future for motorsports. TGR is advancing alternative powertrains and fuels through competition, supporting Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, which enables customers to reduce emissions wherever they live.

All TGR’s World Championship programmes compete using sustainable fuels, with 100% renewable biofuels in use by the GR YARIS Rally1 in World Rally and the GR010 HYBRID in World Endurance. Even on the gruelling Dakar Rally, TGR introduced a fuel with 70% renewable components via its partnership with Repsol.

Building on the innovations introduced by Rookie Racing with the GR Corolla H2 race car and its hydrogen engine, TGR has also showcased a potential hydrogen future in rally and racing by creating the GR Yaris H2 and GR H2 Racing Concept prototypes.

In 2025, TGR will continue its commitment to developing people and technologies in motorsports, further expressing its philosophy of making ever-better cars via exciting challenges and a driver-first approach.

The latest addition to Toyota’s growing range of battery electric models is a compact SUV that will give the brand a strong presence in one of the most competitive and fast-growing segments of the European BEV market. Pre-ordering for the new model has opened in initial markets, with first customer deliveries expected from late summer.

The Urban Cruiser stands out with a powerful “Urban Tech”-influenced design that expresses its quality as an authentic SUV. The frontal styling presents the “hammerhead” look and slim headlight units that are distinguishing elements in a new generation of Toyota models, while the strong rear quarters and a wrap-around rear light bar project SUV-like strength and stability.

In terms of size, the Urban Cruiser’s external dimensions are slightly greater than the Yaris Cross and a tight, 5.2 m turning radius makes for nimble manoeuvring on urban streets.

Inside, thanks to a long, 2,700 mm wheelbase and a flexible, sliding rear seat arrangement, interior space is remarkably generous: rear seat leg room can be extended to rival that found in a D-segment model.

The cabin design bears SUV hallmarks with a low-set, horizontal instrument panel and an elevated seating position that gives a good all-round view from the wheel. The cabin ambience can be enhanced with a lighting system that offers 12 different colour settings.

 Platform and powertrains

The Urban Cruiser is built on a strong yet lightweight new platform, dedicated to battery electric vehicles. Its design avoids the need for crossmembers in the floor, so there is more space for the battery without compromising cabin space.

Customers can choose from powertrain and drivetrain options that best suit their needs. The Urban Cruiser will be available with two battery pack options, both of which use durable but cost-efficient lithium-iron phosphate technology. A 49-kWh battery with an output of 106 kW / 144 DIN hp will be offered exclusively with front-wheel drive while a 61-kWh battery will be available in both front and all-wheel drive Urban Cruiser versions. In FWD format the 61-kWh battery will produce 128 kW / 174 DIN hp; in the AWD model, the power is slightly greater at 135 kW / 184 DIN hp.

 The AWD model uses an additional 48 kW motor on the rear axle and is equipped with Downhill Assist Control, as well as Trail and Snow modes for extra assistance in slippery conditions.

 Safety and equipment

The Urban Cruiser will be equipped as standard with a extensive suite of advanced active safety and driver assistance features, including pre-collision, adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert/keep assist systems.

A fully digital user experience includes a 10.25-inch driver’s combimeter and a 10.1-inch multimedia display, seamlessly integrated into a sleek, single unit. Easy smartphone integration will be provided for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems.

 Premium quality equipment features will be available, including a 360-degree camera, JBL sound system and power driver’s seat adjustment. A fixed sunroof will also be offered.

*NB: all performance data remains provisional.

New BEV platform 

The car is constructed on a new platform dedicated to battery electric vehicles. It is strong yet lightweight and provides a spacious interior with built-in protection for the car’s high-voltage parts. The structure’s design avoids the need for crossmembers in the floor, freeing up more space to accommodate the battery. 

Secure performance with all-wheel drive 

One of the key qualities of the new Urban Cruiser is the availability of an all-wheel drive system, affirming its status as an authentic SUV. 

The addition of a 48 kW motor to the rear axle gives stable and secure performance on loose and slippery surfaces, giving both peace of mind in difficult conditions and a more rewarding driving experience. 

The system also provides Downhill Assist Control and a Trail Mode which detects and brakes a spinning wheel while directing drive torque to the opposite wheel. The front-wheel drive model benefits from a “snow mode” which controls drive torque to help reduce wheel-slip when driving on snow-covered roads. 

Technology-led specifications 

Equipment specifications deliver the latest technologies for safety, information and connectivity. 

All Urban Cruiser versions will benefit from a comprehensive package of active safety and driver assistance systems, helping recognise and avoid a wide range of common accident risks. Features include a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist. A 360-degree camera system gives the driver a complete view of the car’s surroundings when manoeuvring across rough ground or parking in tight spaces. 

The instrument panel seamlessly integrates the driver’s 10.25-inch digital combimeter and 10.1-inch multimedia display into a single unit. The multimedia system is designed for fast, intuitive operation with satellite navigation that uses cloud-based data to factor in the latest traffic flow intelligence. Smartphone integration is also provided so the driver can access their preferred apps and services with ease. 

Technology is also at hand to help with the day-to-day management of running an electric vehicle. The Toyota HomeCharge domestic wallbox provides a recharging facility that is designed for seamless operation with Toyota models. Further convenience is provided by the MyToyota app, which owners can use to check the state of their vehicle’s battery charge, locate convenient charging stations and schedule and monitor charging sessions. 

Other features available, according to model grade, include power driver’s seat adjustment, a JBL premium audio system and a fixed sunroof. 
 

In a world consumed by content streams and product launches, the e-collection is driven by a defiant commitment to functionality and is informed by Toyota’s brand mission – to deliver mobility for all. Taking the latest, most innovative technologies the brand has to offer and creating solutions for future living, the concept lineup is based on the understanding that the lives of the future will be increasingly hybrid and hyper-connected.

The e-collection includes innovative ideas for working professionals, nature enthusiasts, fashionistas, modern families and music lovers everywhere. Each solution has been conceptualised in response to everyday challenges that Toyota predicts will impact the people of tomorrow: from a new generation of hybrid-nomad workers to a solution for those looking to stay informed while disconnecting from digital devices.

Each sustainable concept provides a solution you didn’t know you needed to one of life’s modern challenges. Craving a change of scene from the home office set up? Try the ThinkTent portable office and pitch up in nature without losing your connection. Considering a pet but not keen on commitment? Welcome ChirpM8 to your life, the first digital pet that actively looks after your mental health. Each of the six futuristic concepts sparks conversation about what’s possible when technology, design, and imagination collide.

The first 6 concepts available in the e-collection include:

ThinkTent

A bold, urban escape designed for remote workers craving fresh inspiration and a change of scenery. Spacious yet compact, sleek yet sturdy, this solar-powered wonder lets you pop up your workspace wherever you need it. Designed for city living (and thriving), it’s eco-friendly, multipurpose, and ready to meet the demands of modern work life.

ChirpM8

The first digital pet that actively looks after your mental health it entertains and interacts with you and provides bird sounds to relieve city stresses. This is your ultimate companion in feeling safe and confident in any city.

AdjusTable

A portable table that adapts its height, shape and size thanks to a modular, retractable structure – flexing as a dining table, desk, kids activity bench or coffee table.

DualGuitar

This is the world’s first guitar that powers your life as you play it. Every strum and riff generates clean energy through advanced technology, transforming your music into power for home devices.

AWD Sneakers

Multipurpose sneakers, for ultimate performance in all weather conditions. Whether you’re hitting a trail, sprinting though the rain, hiking a snowy mountain or just navigating city streets, these sneakers deliver unmatched traction, stability, and comfort – pushing you to reach your destination faster, no matter the conditions.

Notification Nails

A combination of beauty and technology. Each nail tip changes colour to signal different types of notifications, allowing users to stay connected without constantly checking their phones.

More concepts are due to drop on 12th December at 10.00 CET on toyotaecollection.com 

The arrival of the all-new Land Cruiser 250 is thus a significant event, a model that scales new heights of off-road performance, underpinned by its new GA-F platform and frame; excellent functionality for carrying passengers and cargo; enhanced visibility for the driver; and simplicity, with parts designed to be easy to repair or replace with customised items.

Chief Engineer Keita Moritsu explains: “We have changed our perception and believe that this Land Cruiser model should be offered as a practical and affordable off-roader. We resolved that going back to our roots would be core to the Land Cruiser brand going forward.”

The “back to origins quality is evident in a powerful new design that fuses Land Cruiser’s style heritage with a sharp, contemporary appearance that is timeless and communicates the kind of solid, functional quality associated with the best professional tools. Practicality is designed in, for example with the bonnet’s raised corners and lowered central section that give the driver a commanding view, and the shaping of body parts to help avoid damage in harsh driving conditions. Aerodynamic details have also been included to the benefit of handling stability, brake and engine cooling and airflow management.

Likewise, the cabin has a functional, durable yet high-quality feel, with seating for up to seven and generous load space for whatever needs to be carried. Controls are positioned and shaped for quick and intuitive operation and information sources are clear and positioned for at-a-glance recognition. The instrumentation includes a new 12.3-inch colour driver’s instrument display and new multi-function dial selector, designed in consultation with professional rally drivers. When moving off road there are padded surfaces to protect knees and shoulders, while the new-design seats provide superior body-holding performance.

Power is provided by a re-engineered 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine with 205 DIN hp / 151 kW matched to a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. With 500 Nm maximum torque, this powertrain allows loads of up to 3,500 kg to be towed.  In late 2025, the Land Cruiser range will be extended to include a new 48V mild hybrid version. This promises to offer smoother, quieter, yet more responsive performance with no reduction in the vehicle’s ability to tackle tough conditions.

The new Land Cruiser is designed to deliver the highest levels of off-road performance while being composed, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre when driving on-road. Under the skin, the new global architecture GA-F body-on-frame is the foundation for the car’s essential strength and rigidity, while the sophisticated Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor provided sophisticated assistance when tackling challenging conditions.

This is the first Land Cruiser to use electric power steering, giving more direct operation and easier manoeuvrability, with less risk of kick-back. Also new is the Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism, which unlocks the front anti-roll bar, increasing wheel articulation to help tackle rough and rocky surfaces. A new braking system, a new double wishbone front suspension, revised rear axle and updated Crawl Control also contribute to the handling prowess.

At the same time as strength and off-road capability have been enhanced, Toyota has focused on raising the levels of on-board quietness and comfort with extensive measures to counter noise and vibration. These include enhanced body sealing and extensive use of sound-absorbing materials. Ride quality has been elevated thanks to the rigidity of the new GA-F body and frame, a pitch control system and new mount designs for the engine and body.

Safety also reaches new heights with Toyota Teammate and the third generation of Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems. The new Land Cruiser is better equipped than ever before to support the driver, recognising and warning them of a wider range of common accident risks and ready to provide braking, steering and drive control to help avoid a collision.

THE LAND CRUISER HERITAGE

The Land Cruiser was born 73 years ago as the Toyota B, on August 1, 1951. Shortly afterwards it demonstrated its strength and capabilities by becoming the first vehicle to successfully climb to the sixth station on the slopes of Mount Fuji.

The Land Cruiser name was adopted in 1954 and today, it is Toyota’s longest-running production model with worldwide sales of more than 10.4 million* to date across more than 170 countries and regions.

Toyota’s mission for Land Cruiser remains to provide people with a vehicle that will take them to their destination in safety and security, even in the harshest environments. The different experiences of customers around the world have proved invaluable in evolving the Land Cruiser’s essential strengths of reliability, durability and the ability to tackle rough road conditions. Moreover, the achievement of Land Cruiser has set the template for the Quality, Durability and Reliability that are fundamental to all Toyota models.

The Land Cruiser trio: Heavy Duty, Station Wagon and Light Duty.

The term “Land Cruiser” covers many thousands of variations that have appeared over the years, but since the 1980s the range has comprised three core vehicle types: the Heavy Duty, the Station Wagon and the Light Duty series, each satisfying different customer priorities.

As its name implies, the Heavy Duty series is true to the spirit of the original model, being designed and engineered for ultimate toughness and simplicity. Today the principal markets for the Heavy Duty Land Cruiser are in Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. It’s symbolic of this model’s enduring character that the current 70 series has just entered its fifth decade of production.

The first Station Wagon model was introduced in 1967, marking a fundamental change in Toyota’s strategy for Land Cruiser. This was a model targeting people who wanted an all-wheel drive vehicle for recreational use rather than work purposes, with plenty of space in both the passenger compartment and the load space. Through successive generations the Station Wagon Land Cruisers have developed a luxury profile and embraced sophisticated technologies for safety, comfort and performance. They remain the pinnacle of the Land Cruiser range. This model is currently not available in Europe.

In 1984, the Light Duty series made its debut. Originally developed primarily for the European market, the Light Duty Land Cruisers – also known as the Land Cruiser Prado – follow the principle of the Station Wagon in appealing to a wider, general consumer market. While still retaining excellent off-road capabilities – and Land Cruiser’s classic body-on-frame construction – the Light Duty series is also engineered for ride comfort, stability and versatility as a car for everyday use. The all-new Land Cruiser 250 is the latest generation in the Light Duty series.
*Cumulative total from August 1951 to July 2024.

DESIGN: TRADITION BLENDED WITH MODERNITY

• Design expresses authentic off-roader performance in a fusion of heritage and modernity
• Silhouette and vehicle proportions reference Land Cruiser’s design heritage
• Measures adopted to secure excellent view for the driver, including a bonnet with raised corners and lowered central section
• Powerful frontal design with classic TOYOTA emblem
• Body shaped to help avoid damage in harsh conditions; parts designed to be easily replaced
• Interior presents a functional yet high-quality design with customisable digital instrument display and latest Toyota multimedia package
• Seating for up to seven on board, with generous load space provision

Exterior

The design of the new Land Cruiser is a clear expression of the vehicle’s status as a fully fledged off-roader that’s inherently strong and stable.

Its essential reliability is reflected in the shape and composition of parts designed to cope with harsh conditions and be easy to replace if damage occurs. There’s a timelessness, too, in design simplicity that expresses quality and will not look out-of-date, and a sense of professionalism in the form-follows-function design of the kind found in top-quality professional tools.

Brought together, these elements create a fusion of heritage and modernity: this is a Land Cruiser that is rooted in its origins, yet meets the highest contemporary standards.

The classic Land Cruiser silhouette references the definitive lines of the early Land Cruiser models (the 40 and 70 Series Heavy Duty Land Cruisers are clear influences) with a strong horizontal axis, a long bonnet, upright windscreen, a short front overhang and distinctive trapezoidal wheel arches. The proportions are also true to Land Cruiser’s design heritage, with a tight, box-shaped cabin set behind the car’s vertical axis to gain both interior space and comfort. The car’s overall length is 4,925 mm, width 1,980 mm and height 1,935 mm; the wheelbase is 2,850 mm.

The configuration and proportions of the frontal elements create a classic Land Cruiser look. Functional parts are grouped together towards the centre with high-set headlights to help avoid damage in tough driving conditions. The sense of purpose is further emphasised by the restoration of the classic TOYOTA logo front centre and at the rear above the licence plate garnish. Practicality is designed-in with bumper corners that are easy to replace if damaged.

The headlights have a slim, oblong triple-eye arrangement of LEDs while the front fog lights are deeply recessed in the bumper corners, again to help avoid damage. The front and rear corners are chamfered (which also aids manoeuvrability); and the lower door sections have a scraped, concave surface.

Giving the driver the best view ahead and to the side was a design priority. This produced a bonnet shape with raised sides which make it easier to locate the vehicle’s corners, and a lowered centre section that improves the forward view, reducing the blind spot immediately in front of the vehicle. To improve the view to the side, the A pillar is set at a more upright angle, the mirrors are attached to the doors and the belt line has been stepped down – a reference to the classic Toyota BJ70 – by about 30 mm compared to the current model.

The bodywork displays contrasting sharp hard and glossy curved surfaces for a simple, modern look with a sense of tension and high precision. The overall effect is of the Land Cruiser having been carved from a single lump of pure metal. The car’s wide stance, flared front and rear wings and the tight body shape combine to emphasise stable performance.

At the rear, the lights are again tightly grouped in vertically stacked combi-units.

According to model grade, the new Land Cruiser will feature 18 or 20-inch alloy wheels with new designs. A wide range of body accessories will give customers the chance to tailor their vehicle to suit their requirements, including roof rails, side steps and an opening rear hatch.

Aerodynamic detailing

The distinctive exterior design incorporates a series of details to enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance.

Spats are fitted ahead of the front wheels, reducing the airflow striking the tyres and directing air to help cool the brake discs. The spats are deformable, so can withstand rough road driving.

Other measures include a reduction in the difference between the levels of the front pillars and the rain gutters and precise calculation of the door mirror sweep-back angle and housing profile to suppress turbulence. Side door mouldings have been added to rectify airflow along the side of the vehicle and a rear spoiler helps manage airflow away from the back of the vehicle and reduce lift force.

Interior design

The interior design expresses a safe, functional look suitable for off-road driving with an emphasis on durability, high quality and measures to reduce fatigue.

The instrument panel and upper door mouldings have strong horizontal lines that make it easy to grasp the vehicle’s orientation in challenging conditions and make for an open cabin environment with excellent outward view for everyone on board. The panel’s cross-section is lowered in front of the front passenger, enhancing the open feel.

Information sources – the driver’s instrument combimeter and multimedia display are set high for easy visibility and there is a wide console area – a Land Cruiser characteristic – that keeps driving controls close at hand for quick and intuitive operation. The 12.3-inch digital instrument display presents meters and data with sharp graphics that are clear to read in all lighting conditions. The multimedia system is accessed via high-definition touchscreen (12.3-inch). The package includes cloud-based navigation that benefits from up-to-the-moment traffic information and the “Hey Toyota” assistant for voice command control of multiple functions and systems.

The physical shape of the switches and their operating methods have been unified – simple toggle or push controls – so the driver can operate them easily without having to look away from the wheel or change their posture.  Professional rally drivers were consulted on the design of the combination of dial selector and push switch used for vehicle system functions such as the Multi-Terrain Select.

Knee pads and padded door shoulders provide protection when the going gets tough and the top of the door panel has a scooped profile so the driver has space for free elbow movement. The new steering wheel design reflects the solid, stable exterior styling, with wide spoke openings to help prevent fingers being injured in the event of steering kickback. The centre pad displays the classic TOYOTA logo, with function switches rationally organised on the left and right sections of the centre spokes.

A sense of precision and quality is expressed in the co-ordinated design of control switches and details such as the serrated patterns around the air vents and mode selector, the matching of thick upholstery materials with rope-like piping and trim parts that have the look of machined metal.

Throughout, there is a unified look to the interior, with consistent material quality, feel and appearance, communicating a strong character. Functional areas are flat and hard; touch points are soft and thickly covered with a sense of volume. Digital design techniques were used to combine different parts into a single unit, for example incorporating the combimeter and centre display within the large instrument panel so there is less segmentation.

A new, simplified headlining shape increases the sense of space, with options for an opening sunroof or a large, fixed panoramic roof that extends above the second-row seats.

Seating and upholsteries

The new Land Cruiser range offers both five and seven-seat interiors. The front seats have a new design to provide strong support when driving off-road and are available with power adjustment. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is available with a (manually) extending cushion that provides an extra 50 mm of thigh support. Its design avoids opening a groove between the extension and the main cushion for seamless support.

The new front seats have thinner seatbacks, improving leg and knee room for rear seat passengers, and are available with integrated heating and ventilation. Thicker urethane cushions disperse pressure over a wider area of the occupant’s body and are shaped to promote the optimum pelvis angle, reducing the load on the waist and muscles. The cushion sits on a hard lower layer, a construction that helps prevent the occupant’s posture collapsing when turning or changing lanes. The side bolsters project further, helping keep the body in place when horizontal forces are experienced, as when driving over rough surfaces.

The second-row seats are offered in a bench arrangement that divides 60:40, and on the seven-seat model the third row comprises two seats that can be folded flat manually or with power control.

The upholstery choices include genuine and synthetic leathers and (in selected markets) the first use of SUMITEX, a new, hard-wearing fabric made with a strong yarn produced from recycled PET plastic from Toyota facilities in Japan.

Load space

In the new five-seat Land Cruiser the flat-floor load space is longer and wider than in the current model; in the seven-seat version the width is greater, but the length is unchanged when the third-row seats are in use.

In the seven-seater there is space behind the third-row seats for two 55 cm suitcases (130 l). With the third row folded, there is room enough for three 86 cm cases plus one 81 cm and one 69 cm (556 l). In the five-seat model the space is slightly larger, accommodating a 75 cm case in place of the 69 cm bag (742 l).

The new Land Cruiser also has a top-hinged rear door as standard, improving the ease of access with the availability of power back door operation and an independently opening glass hatch.

POWERTRAIN RESPONSE, CONTROL AND EFFICIENCY

• 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine with 205 DIN hp/ 151 kW, re-engineered for driveability and efficiency
• New eight-speed automatic transmission
• Approved for HVO100 renewable diesel
• 48V mild hybrid electric model to join the Land Cruiser 250 range from late 2025
• Permanent all-wheel drive

Advances in engine response and driveability

In Western Europe, the new Land Cruiser is being introduced with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine re-engineered for improved driveability and a stronger balance of fuel efficiency and performance.

The 2,755 cc in-line four-cylinder DOHC direct injection multivalve unit produces a maximum 205 DIN hp/151 kW at 3,000 rpm and is matched to a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. With maximum torque of 500 Nm generated between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm, it has the muscle to tow loads of up to 3,500 kg.

Official WLTP combined cycle figures for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 10.5 – 10.7 l/100 km, depending on grade, and 275-281 g/m respectively.

Development of the new unit made acceleration control a priority, with performance that is faithful to the driver’s intentions, whether on road or off, driving city streets or on the open highway. The intention was that driving feel should be direct, like that experienced with a manual transmission. To help focus their work, the engineering team gathered knowledge from development of the Land Cruiser 300 (Station Wagon model, not available in Europe) and quality, durability and reliability intelligence from the current Land Cruiser. Customer feedback about how the vehicle is used day-to-day was also analysed.

This helped produce advances in acceleration performance and driveability; improvements in noise and vibration levels; and enhanced handling in severe conditions. The powertrain is engineered to provide linear acceleration with a strong initial response, while the lock-up function in the eight-speed automatic transmission suppresses surges in engine revs.

A redesigned and more efficient turbocharger is key to the enhanced torque response, with the introduction of impeller with compact blades and a reduction in the unit’s diameter, A new belt layout makes space for the new electric power steering system (see below) and the adoption of a higher output (200A) alternator to ably support customer auxiliary power requirements.

Measures to address environmental performance include an increase in the efficiency of the SCR catalyst and an enlarged, 17-litre urea tank.

New eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission

The powertrain features a new eight-speed automatic transmission designed to enhance driving performance and fuel economy and offering quiet performance. With closer gear ratios, a new, compact torque converter and optimised components, the transmission delivers precise lock-up control, rhythmic shifting and a smooth acceleration feel.

The torque converter features a multi-plate lock-up clutch with an expanded range, contributing to the direct drive feel and overall fuel economy. Lock-up control can be implemented from low speeds, adding to the quality of the drive feel.

The unit also benefits from a new dynamic damper structure to help reduce torque fluctuations to the drive shaft.  Both the torque converter and damper structure have been revised to reduce size and save weight.

The compact and lightweight gear train provides both efficiency and durability. Close gear ratios are used at higher vehicle speeds with consistent, small changes in engine rpm when shifting in the high range to produce a rhythmic feel. The first gear ratio has been lowered to improve start-off acceleration and off-road performance, while eighth gear has an increased ratio for quieter high-speed cruising at lower engine revs, with enhanced fuel economy.

Shifting response is enhanced by 25% with the adoption of a new linear solenoid that is 29% lighter than the previous unit, compared to the current six-speed automatic. Quieter performance and fuel economy are supported by a smaller-diameter oil pump.

Future 48V mild hybrid system

Toyota will introduce a mild hybrid version of the Land Cruiser in Europe, expected in late 2025, combining the 2.8-litre diesel engine with a 48V electric motor-generator, a compact 48V lithium-ion battery and a stop-start system. This will enhance the drivability, giving a smoother and quieter, yet more responsive performance while maintaining its ability to withstand tough driving conditions.

Permanent all-wheel drive

The driveline for the Land Cruiser’s permanent all-wheel drive features a revised propeller shaft structure designed for durability and quieter performance. Changes have also been made to the differentials: the centre unit has been revised for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency; the electronic locking rear diff (standard on both VX and VX-L grades) has been strengthened for added reliability. Both are turned to achieve the best balance of off-road traction and on-road stability.

The differential locking system has been changed from a motor to a solenoid type, giving 85% quicker response (around 0.15 sec) should the vehicle become stranded.

The transfer unit has also been updated for improved durability, an increase in actuator motor torque and anti-corrosion performance. A new toggle switch for selecting the H4 or L4 ranges and new diff lock switches are located on the centre console, next to the shift lever.

ON AND OFF-ROAD STABILITY, CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE

• Handling capabilities designed-in to ensure highest levels of off-road performance
• Composed, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre on-road
• New GA-F body-on-frame provides essential strength and rigidity
• First Land Cruiser to adopt electric power steering
• Electronic locking rear differential fitted as standard
• Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism to unlock front anti-roll bar and gain increased wheel articulation
• Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor help the driver negotiate challenging conditions

The essential quality of the Land Cruiser as a vehicle that can “take you anywhere and everywhere and bring you back safe and sound” includes the ability to tackle challenging off-road conditions. In taking the model back to its origins, Toyota has ensured that the vehicle has the fundamental, built-in strength to deliver on this promise, rather than relying on sophisticated technologies.

At the same time, easy manoeuvrability was a key consideration: beyond its off-road strengths, this is a vehicle that is simple in concept and composed and comfortable to drive for everyone in everyday use. Visibility is good, switchgear is simple to understand and intuitive to use and vehicle responses are prompt and faithful to the driver’s intentions.

Extreme testing

The development programme tested the new model to the limits of its endurance. Toyota constructed a new off-road test track – the daunting Course F at the Shibetsu proving ground in Japan – faithfully reproducing a range of the most challenging driving conditions from around the world.

The course’s design includes slopes, muddy tracks, rocky roads and mogul landscapes, each placing different demands on the vehicle. Using this facility not only helped confirm and enhance the new Land Cruiser’s off-road performance, “one step above” the current model, it also helped refine its suitability for everyday use and its functionality.

Extensive testing has also taken place in the Middle East and Australia.

Capability founded on new GA-F platform and frame

The Land Cruiser’s authentic off-road character is reflected in its retention of a body-on-frame construction, but its capability moves a step above the current model. The foundation for its performance is the new GA-F platform and frame, as also featured in the larger Land Cruiser 300.

This gives the vehicle structure significantly greater strength and rigidity, achieved through a combination of focused construction techniques. The new model has 84 extra short-pitch weld points around the side doors and lower rocker edges and, for the first time, uses structural adhesive (a total of 11.9 m) to enhance rigidity where sheet metal parts meet. Tailor-welded blanks have been introduced in the side rails and crossmember in place of reinforcements, maintaining rigidity while saving weight. Thick sheet steel and high-tensile materials are used in strategic locations throughout the frame to ensure robust strength.

Overall, the torsional rigidity of the frame has increased by 50%, while that of the frame and body combined has risen by 30%. The result is a vehicle that responds and moves just as the driver intends.

First Land Cruiser with electric power steering

The new Land Cruiser is the first Land Cruiser model to be fitted with an electric power steering system (EPS).

Compared to a hydraulic system, this reduces the amount of kickback that can occur when driving over rough surfaces and provides smoother, more direct steering and easier manoeuvrability at all speeds. Using EPS also allows the new Land Cruiser to feature Lane Tracing Assist as part of its Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance package.

The rack-and-pinion system also saves energy, with electric power used only when required – i.e. not when idling or in straight-line driving.

To help communicate good feedback to the driver, steering column rigidity has been enhanced and the steering shaft and tube have been enlarged.

New braking system

The new electronically controlled braking system has been designed for improved feel and performance that matches the driver’s intentions. Control, performance and rigidity have been optimised to produce a natural and linear braking feel.

An on-demand pressure system provided by a general purpose VSC unit operates in addition to a conventional pressure system, enhancing the braking feel. Co-operative braking control combines the hydraulic braking force with regenerative braking force from the motor; maximising the use of regenerative braking force contributes to fuel economy.

Disc brakes are used: 340 mm diameter at the front; 335 mm at the rear. An electronic parking brake operates on the rear wheels.

Downhill Assist Control (DAC) can be used to automatically provide stable braking without wheel-lock while maintaining a low vehicle speed when negotiating steep descents. The system has been developed so that it can be used as a cruise control function at speeds between 4 and 30 km/h in the vehicle’s H4 and L4 range.

Crawl Control

The Land Cruiser’s Crawl Control can be used to maintain a low and stable speed in off-road/downhill driving. It controls the engine torque and brake pressure, avoiding wheelspin and wheel-locking and allowing the driver to focus on the steering.

Crawl Control operates in the L4 transfer mode. The driver can select the appropriate speed using the dial selector on the console. There are five different speed settings appropriate for a wide range of different driving surfaces and inclines.

Suspension

The front suspension features a new independent double wishbone system with extended stroke to gain high road-holding performance and off-road capability. It’s constructed from high-strength, lightweight components for durable, reliable performance.

A stable drive is supported by an increased caster trail while stability under braking is enhanced by a reduction in the kingpin offset angle and increase in the anti-dive angle.

At the rear the four-link rigid axle benefits from detailed revisions to achieve smoother, more linear performance while saving weight and enhancing reliability. The anti-roll bar is made from a new material that is both lighter and more rigid, while further weight is saved with a thinner axle cross-section and optimised bracket wall thickness – a design that also strengthens reliability. An increase in the anti-lift angle helps prevent rear-wheel lift. The entire geometry has been optimised so that the movement of each link is smooth and linear, helping secure a comfortable ride.

Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism

The new Land Cruiser is the first Toyota to use a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), which has the dual benefits of enhancing off-road performance and a more comfortable ride on standard roads.

Using a switch on the centre console, the driver can unlock the front anti-roll bar (stabiliser), increasing suspension travel. Travelling at low speeds on rough, rocky surfaces the extended wheel articulation helps keep all four wheels in contact with the ground, making the vehicle easier to manoeuvre. In standard form, the new Land Cruiser has 10% greater wheel articulation compared to the previous model; when the SDM is engaged, this increases by a further 10%.

With the suspension able to elongate and contract freely, roll rigidity is reduced and body movement in all directions is suppressed, making for a more comfortable ride for all passengers on very rough terrain. When vehicle speed increases, the anti-roll bar will automatically be re-locked. The SDM is fitted as standard to the VX-L grade.

Multi-Terrain Select

The Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) adjusts the vehicle’s steering, drive force and hydraulic brake control to meet the demands of different off-road driving scenarios. The system now provides an additional Auto mode so the driver doesn’t have to alter the setting as conditions change and it can also be used when the car is in the high transfer mode as well as low.

MTS is simple to engage, using the powertrain control switch and multi-function dial selector on the centre console. In the low transfer mode the options are Mud, Sand, Rock and Auto; in high mode the choice is Mud, Sand, Dirt, Deep Snow and Auto.

Panoramic View Monitor/Multi-Terrain Monitor

The Land Cruiser’s Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) provides a complete view of the area immediately around and, using a Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) function, beneath the vehicle to help with precise manoeuvring on challenging terrain. The driver can switch between four cameras to check blind spots; the camera feeds can also be combined to create a composite image. The Under Vehicle Terrain View shows the position of the rear wheels and the driving surface. New MTM options include back underfloor view with guidelines showing the vehicle and tyre positions. The images in the display screen can be expanded using touch controls to gain an even more detailed view.

The PVM can be used at speeds up to 12 km/h and, for the first time in a Land Cruiser, can be activated using voice command as well as a console switch. A rear camera washer is available to help maintain a clear image.

QUIETNESS AND COMFORT

• Extensive noise and vibration countermeasures through the vehicle
• Focus on comfort with pitch control, new engine mount design and cushion mounts between the body and frame

The new Land Cruiser may be engineered to take extreme conditions in its stride, but that does not mean on-board quietness and comfort have been sacrificed. Extensive measures have been taken to avoid and counteract noise and vibration.

Vehicle development minimised the number of points where sound can enter the cabin and produced a body on frame design that is less prone to generating noise. Similarly, noise sources were identified and reduced.

Countermeasures include enhanced body sealing, for example at the base of the front and centre pillars, and gap sealing around the door apertures. Sound-absorbing material has been added to the air intake system and the wheel arch liners and even the tyre tread patterns have been calculated to reduce noise generation.

Compared to the current model, there is a thicker dash silencer with an intermediate layer, covering a larger area. Damping material has also been added to the vehicle floor. The higher rigidity of the new GA-F body and frame is also effective in dispersing the resonance of each part, damping vibration.

Further measures contribute to securing a comfortable ride, including the increase in rigidity in the new GA-F platform and frame. Further gains have been made with the use of a pitch control system to maintain a smooth ride; a new engine mount design; cushion mounts between the body and frame; and direct connection of the seat frames to the vehicle body, rather than to an intermediate bracket.

COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY FEATURES

• Robust construction provides fundamental protection
• Comprehensive Toyota Teammate safety and driver assistance features, including latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense active and preventive systems

The new Land Cruiser 250’s robust construction provides essentially strong protection in the event of an impact. But beyond its basic strength, it benefits from comprehensive Toyota Teammate provisions to help prevent accidents from happening and providing protection for everyone on board should an impact be unavoidable.

The package includes the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense with new and enhanced systems and functions. The level of accident risk detection has been raised with revisions to the camera and radar sensors to increase their target range. They can now detect more types of hazard – vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles – both closer to and further away from the vehicle.

The benefit of this can be seen in the performance of the Pre-Collision System. The PCS’ Intersection Collision Avoidance provides extra layers of safety when negotiating a junction, able to detect both crossing pedestrians and motorcycles and cross and oncoming (across two lanes) vehicles.

When a driver needs to steer to avoid a hazard such as a person walking in the side of the road, a cyclist or parked vehicle, there’s a risk they might swerve the car out of its lane. With the new Emergency Steering Assist with active support, the PCS recognises the hazard and provides steering assistance and gentle braking when the driver turns the wheel, helping keep the car within its traffic lane.

When driving at low speed, Acceleration Suppression will regulate drive force and control braking if the driver accelerates sharply when there is an obstacle immediately ahead, helping avoid a collision.

The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) offers a wider range of support functions that enhance safety and ease the burden on the driver. The turn signal-linked control provides preliminary acceleration when the driver uses the turn indicator to begin an overtaking manoeuvre; if another vehicle is detected in the overtaking lane the acceleration is suppressed. The system can also be used to avoid unintentional “undertaking” – passing a vehicle on the wrong side – and it provides deceleration assist, smoothly slowing the car when changing into a lane where there is a slower vehicle ahead.

The DRCC now provides earlier detection of another vehicle cutting in front, so deceleration is less abrupt. It will also take the second vehicle ahead into consideration for smoother speed management, in situations where the immediate vehicle in front moves into another lane. Improved curve recognition allows for better speed management through bends. There are now four distance setting options for the DRCC to suit the driver’s preference and traffic conditions.

The introduction of Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) adds a range of safeguards when driving in low-speed traffic. Obstacle Anticipation Assist detects hazards ahead such as parked vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists at an early stage and provides steering a braking support to help the driver avoid approaching too close. Deceleration Assist provides smooth slowing when the driver comes off the accelerator when approaching a slower vehicle ahead, or when entering a bend.

New to Land Cruiser, Front Cross Traffic Alert uses the car’s front side radars to detect vehicles approaching from the side, sounding a buzzer alert and (where fitted) a warning in the head-up display. The system is of particular value when emerging from junctions with poor or obscured sightlines.

Other new features include an Emergency Driving Stop System. When Lane Tracing Assist is engaged, this detects when the driver has stopped making steering, braking and throttle inputs over a period of time and issues an alert. If there is still no response, it brings the vehicle to a smooth stop and activates the hazard lights. Safe Exit Assist is linked to the car’s Blind Spot Monitor and warns if there is a risk of a door being opened into the path of a vehicle or cycle approaching from the rear.

LAND CRUISER FIRST EDITION

• The premiere version of the all-new Land Cruiser
• Produced in strictly limited numbers
• Classic styling cues with round headlights and exclusive bi-tone paintwork
• Unique interior upholstery

The First Edition is the pinnacle of the all-new Land Cruiser line-up, available only in limited numbers and exclusively to customers who reserved their vehicle during the pre-sales period. It stands apart with bespoke styling, including classic round headlights, bi-tone exterior paintwork in a combination of Sand or Smoky Blue with black and “First EDT” badges. In the cabin the front seats feature unique upholstery piping and stitching.

Matching the equipment specification of the regular top-of-the-range VX-L grade, it offers a full complement of technical features, including the new Stabiliser Disconnection Mechanism (SDM) which changes the status of the front anti-roll bar to boost driveability on rough roads while securing more comfort and easier handling in on-road driving. Other standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a digital rear-view mirror, 14-speaker premium JBL audio package, power front seat adjustment and a head-up display.

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) entered the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2024 Empowered by BRIDGESTONE Round 7 Super Taikyu Final Fuji, held from November 16 to 17, with the #32 ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept, a hydrogen-powered GR Corolla running on liquid hydrogen.

Toyota also showcased a concept model that envisions the use of boil-off gas^* generated while driving as it looks for partners to take on the challenge of developing the technology together.

* _{Boil-off gas - Hydrogen that vaporizes from liquid hydrogen fuel stored in the tank due to natural heat that enters from outside.}

Forming partnerships to take on the challenge of using boil-off gas generated while driving

Liquid hydrogen has a higher density than gaseous hydrogen. This allows for more hydrogen to be stored in a tank of the same capacity but presents an issue of boil-off. This is a problem for all liquid hydrogen systems, where the liquid hydrogen fuel stored in the tank evaporates due to natural heat that enters from outside. Until now, the boil-off gas (vaporized hydrogen) generated in the fuel tank while driving has been released into the atmosphere without being used.

At the Super Taikyu Final Fuji, Toyota exhibited a new concept model that utilizes the boil-off gas. Although it is still in the concept stage, if realized, this technology is expected to improve the energy efficiency of the entire liquid hydrogen system by recovering and using boil-off gas as energy. Thus, Toyota is looking to form partnerships that will help make this technology a reality.

(1) Reusing boil-off gas as fuel

Toyota is working on the development of technology to produce reusable fuel by sending boil-off gas released from liquid hydrogen in the tank to a self-pressurizer (a device that increases pressure without relying on external energy). Boil-off gas can be converted back to usable hydrogen fuel for the engine by applying pressure, but increasing the pressure sufficiently usually requires energy such as electricity. The self-pressurizer exhibited at this event uses the pressure of the boil-off gas to increase pressure by two to four times and produce reusable fuel without using any additional energy.

Self-pressurizer for increasing the pressure of boil-off gas 

(The meter on the left displays pressure after the increase, and the meter on the right displays pressure before the increase.)

(2) Generating electricity using boil-off gas

During the pressurization process for reusing boil-off gas (vaporized hydrogen), as in (1), a certain amount of surplus boil-off gas is still released.
This is then fed into the small fuel cell package (FC stack) that Toyota has developed, and the hydrogen goes through a chemical reaction to generate electricity. The electricity generated can be used to power parts like the motor for the liquid hydrogen pump. If realized, it will be possible to supplement electricity equivalent to the amount generated by the alternator (small generator) from boil-off gas, leading to an improvement in energy efficiency.

Small FC stack that generates electricity using boil-off gas

(3) Safely releasing surplus boil-off gas through catalyst

Boil-off gas that is not used in the electricity generation process in (2) is then converted into water vapor through a catalyst as before and safely released outside the vehicle.

Catalyst to treat surplus boil-off gas

Toyota will continue to refine cars and people in the challenging world of motorsports and evolve together with its partners to achieve carbon neutrality.

“The Sound of Noise”, an innovative playlist of original sounds, celebrates the creation of the Aygo X JBL, a new special edition of Toyota’s compact urban crossover, with stimulation, relaxation and information to emphasise the vehicle’s unique character and its premium JBL sound system.

Toyota commissioned three tracks which capture the Aygo X JBL special edition’s distinctive character by combining emotions and technology in a contemporary package ideally suited to a busy European lifestyle. Mirroring the youthful Aygo X’s fresh and fun outlook, the three-track playlist comprises a drive through Berlin, a playful collection of sounds generated via the vehicle itself and an informative discussion about audio technology.

Listeners are transported to the heart of Germany’s capital to take an evocative audio journey at the wheel of the nimble Aygo X JBL, which has the agility and confidence-inspiring driving position to excel in an urban environment. A microphone inside the vehicle captured every sound of a trip through a varied city soundscape, conjuring a spirit of adventure whilst encouraging the listener to relax on a stress-free journey. Mechanical sounds combine with the ebb and flow of traffic through Berlin, where passing bicycles ring their bells and the hum of sidewalk conversation is punctuated by the rumble of nearby traffic. 

For deeper relaxation, listeners can immerse themselves in the ASMR Textures track, inspired by the concept of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), the physical sensation created by sounds, often everyday noises, which promote relaxation. ASMR sounds are used to unwind, banishing the stresses of a busy life, and the concept has grown in popularity, with some tracks streamed by millions of users. A seven-minute track consists of curious, calming ASMR recordings from inside and outside the Aygo X, generated by different touch actions on the various materials, all captured by ultra-sensitive microphones during a dedicated studio recording session. The sounds were arranged and processed using effects such as reverb, delay and panning to create a holistic experience intended to stimulate emotions.

For intellectual stimulation, a six-minute podcast-style discussion from inside the Aygo X JBL concludes the playlist and provides fascinating insights into the development of its premium sound system, fitted as standard in the new special edition. Kyle Concessi, JBL’s Automotive Sound Owner for the Americas and Europe, reveals the secrets to successful audio system design for a vehicle. Listeners discover the challenge of creating dynamic and clear sound within the confines and limitations of a vehicle interior, as well as the solutions used to achieve a wide sound stage inside the compact but spacious Aygo X.

In keeping with the connected and convenient Aygo X, “The Sound of Noise” playlist is available now on streaming platforms. Aygo X JBL drivers can stream the content directly to the vehicle via wired and wireless smartphone connectivity using Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®, all controlled on the large 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen display unit.

The bold Aygo X JBL special edition will be sold in selected European markets from October 11. A new look excites the visual senses with Jasmine Silver and starkly contrasting bi-tone black paint, accentuated by black decorative elements on the front, rear and side underruns. The bi-tone colouring extends to the rear and merges with the side rockers and front wheel arches to create a truly unique character, emphasised by distinctive 18-inch black and Dark Jasmine alloy wheels.

Highlighting the premium JBL sound system, the Aygo X JBL features unique branding and visual signatures inside and out. A JBL logo adorns the car’s rear, while elements are reproduced on the rear window panel. Inside, premium colour matched seat trim includes the JBL logo so customers can ride in style as well as comfort.

The powerful and dynamic JBL premium sound system in Toyota’s unique A-segment crossover Aygo X is celebrated with a distinctive new special edition, the Aygo X JBL.

The Aygo X has attracted new style-conscious buyers to Toyota since first hitting Europe’s roads in 2022, building on the youthful and fun character which has already excited Aygo drivers for almost two decades whilst introducing a more confident driving position and spacious interior.

By moving from a hatchback to a crossover body type, Toyota’s stylists in Europe created a unique sense of emotion in the Aygo X. This was mirrored by JBL’s audio experts, who crafted a premium sound system specifically for the car, optionally available on all models and now standard on the new Aygo X JBL special edition.

Definition of the sound system specifications began whilst the Aygo X was still in development, via virtual models to help determine the most suitable equipment. As well as sound quality, JBL engineers also prioritised a lightweight system to contribute towards lower vehicle weight, which benefits fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions.

Hundreds of hours of dedicated work and precision adjustments went into designing a dynamic sound system tailored to the vehicle’s exact interior characteristics. The location of speakers plays a significant role in creating a wide sound stage, achieved by two full-range speakers in the front doors in combination with 25-millimetre tweeters on the A pillars.

At the rear, a 200mm subwoofer – large for a compact car like the Aygo X – generates powerful bass and dynamic speaker response as well as clear, dynamic sound. A 300W amplifier under the passenger seat has six channels, which JBL engineers used to fine-tune frequencies for a concert-style sound, ideally suited to rock and pop music.

Thanks to Toyota Smart Connect, a driver can select the music of their choice easily as well, through wired and wireless smartphone connectivity via Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®, all controlled on a large 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen display unit.

While the sound system stimulates the ears, the exterior of the bold new Aygo X JBL catches the eye in new Jasmine Silver and bi-tone black paint, designed to create a stark and aesthetic contrast, accentuated by black decorative elements on the front, rear and side underruns. The bi-tone colouring extends to the rear and merges with the side rockers and front wheel arches to create a truly unique character, accentuated by distinctive 18-inch black and Dark Jasmine alloy wheels.

To emphasise its premium JBL sound system, the Aygo X JBL features unique branding and visual signatures inside and out. A JBL logo adorns the car’s rear, while elements are reproduced on the rear window panel. Inside the compact yet spacious interior, premium colour matched seat trim includes the JBL logo so customers can ride in style as well as comfort.

The Aygo X JBL will be sold in selected European markets from October 11 and is launched with an innovative playlist “The Sound of Noise”, which celebrates the creation of the Aygo X JBL with stimulation, relaxation and information to emphasise the vehicle’s unique character and its premium JBL sound system.

The Camry has been a Toyota global model for more than 40 years, a segment-defining sedan that has regularly enjoyed best-seller status and has served as a flagship for the Toyota brand in many markets. Since its introduction in 1982, more than 21 million Camrys have been sold worldwide.

The introduction of a new Camry reinforces the qualities that will keep it a popular choice with drivers who favour a sedan over other vehicle types. Toyota’s focus has been on an evolution of the design and elevation of the driving experience without compromising the comfort and spaciousness.

There is an immediate impact from the car’s new styling, developed on the concept of “energetic beauty”. Externally, this delivers a sweeping new “hammerhead” front end, sharply restyled lights and powerful character lines that sweep the length of the body. Inside, the new look creates an open cockpit feel for driver and front passenger. Great effort has been invested in delivering a premium expression through perfect continuity of trims, materials and surfaces.

The new Camry Hybrid 230 adopts fifth generation hybrid technology that provides more power, greater efficiency and a more rewarding driving experience. New multimedia systems and digital driver instrumentation are featured, with easier, faster connectivity and responsiveness. Similarly, the new model is equipped as standard with the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense within a comprehensive package of features for safety and driver assistance.

Sleek and refined exterior styling

The Camry’s sleek and refined styling has been given a more contemporary and engaging look by Toyota’s CALTY design studio in the USA. The goal was to give the new model an increased visual impact that expresses sophistication, an element of sportiness and a fun-to-drive character.

 The most significant change is at the front where the Camry adopts a “hammerhead” shape, applying a new Toyota design language that has also helped shape the all-new Prius and Toyota C-HR. This generates a low, swept look, emphasised by the slim and sharply angled new headlight and daytime running light units.

Overall dimensions are almost unchanged, but an extended front overhang (+30 mm) and a lower roofline at the rear project a sense of dynamism, while powerful lines along the side of the car converge at the rear Toyota emblem, creating a “slingshot” visual effect. The rear end also features new-design light clusters and echoes the front hammerhead shape in the styling of the garnish and boot lid.

Elegant yet simple interior design

The redesigned interior projects prestige and elegance with a modern and comfortable ambience. The new multimedia display in the centre console has been made the focal point in wrap-around styling that creates an open cockpit effect for both driver and front passenger. Great efforts have been made to achieve a consistent quality and finish in all the materials used for the upholstery and trims, creating a harmonious, premium look and feel.

The new-look instrument panel includes a prominent sculptural section that resembles a guitar fretboard. It’s also a rational design, being a single unit that connects a complex series of parts.

Fifth generation hybrid technology

Creating a superior driving experience was a development priority. The new Camry Hybrid 230 is the latest model to benefit from the advances in performance, driveability and efficiency delivered by Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid technology.

This evolutionary upgrade includes a new lithium-ion battery with higher output and responsiveness. Principal components, including the transaxle, electric motor-generators and inverter, have been redesigned to reduce internal losses and to save weight (the system’s mass is lighter by 7.7 kg) and space. Combined with the established 2.5-litre, four-cylinder hybrid engine, these changes increase the full system’s maximum power to 230 DIN hp / 169 kW (+6%), while reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions to 4.8 l/100 km and 109 g/km respectively (WLTP combined cycle).

Acceleration is more powerful and linear with near-instant response and is more easily controlled, particularly from start-off. The 0-100 km/h time has been reduced from 8.3 to 7.2 seconds. The battery’s enhanced contribution also means the engine can run at lower revs, supporting fuel and emissions efficiency and quieter operation.

The driving rewards are further enhanced with a retuning of the suspension – front MacPherson struts and rear double wishbones – for reassuring response and more agile handling, particularly on twisting country roads.

Multimedia and digital innovation

The new Camry is equipped (market dependent) with the latest Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system controlled via a 12.3-inch display, fitted as standard. An upgraded Smart Connect+ package with additional functions and features is also available.

Toyota Smart Connect includes access to a cloud-based navigation system that is constantly updated with live traffic information and road events, and an intelligent on-board voice agent that responds to a wide range of spoken commands and requests. For a powerful audio experience, an optional nine-speaker JBL premium sound system is available.

Smartphones can be integrated with the car’s multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection and five USB ports are provided around the cabin for device charging and connection. A wireless phone charger is part of the standard equipment.

The new Camry is also available with the new 12.3-inch fully digital, customisable driver’s instrument display. Both the appearance and arrangement of the instrumentation can be adapted to suit the driver’s personal taste, or the kind of journey being made.

Toyota Teammate safety and driver assistance

The Toyota Teammate safety and driver assistance features include the latest technologies for accident detection and avoidance, reducing the burden of driving and monitoring of the driver’s alertness and well-being.

The new Camry adopts the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense, with extended and additional functions, supported by enhanced camera and radar hardware that has an increased field of detection and can recognise a wider range of vehicles, road users and objects.

This increased detection capability makes the Pre-Collision System (PCS) even more effective in more urban traffic scenarios, including recognition of potential head-to-head collisions. The Intersection Collision Avoidance can now identify approaching traffic across two lanes, as well as crossing pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side.

Emergency Steering Assist is a new feature for Camry’s safety portfolio. This recognises a hazard such as a parked car or walking pedestrian in the side of the road and provides steering assistance and gentle braking to help the driver pass safely, while keeping the car within in its traffic lane.

There is further protection from Acceleration Suppression, which limits drive force and controls braking if the driver accelerates sharply when there is an obstacle – such as another vehicle – immediately ahead.

Safety and smoother, comfortable driving are enhanced with the latest upgrades to the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Turn signal-linked control provides preliminary acceleration when the driver uses the turn indicator to begin an overtaking manoeuvre. The intelligent system recognises when there is another vehicle in the overtaking lane, suppressing acceleration. The system also acts to help avoid unintentional “undertaking” – passing a vehicle on the wrong side. Deceleration assist smoothly slows the car when changing into lane where there is a slower vehicle ahead.

The DRCC is now quicker to detect when another vehicle cuts in in front, so can slow the Camry more smoothly. And improved recognition of the road ahead makes progress through bends is more settled and comfortable with better, timely speed adjustment.

The new Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) provides a range of safeguards when driving in low-speed traffic. It has three principal functions: -

• Obstacle Anticipation Assist detects hazards ahead, such as parked vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, at an early stage and provides steering and braking support to avoid approaching too close.
• Deceleration Assist slows the car smoothly when the driver comes off the throttle when coming up behind a slower vehicle or entering a bend.
• Steering Assist varies steering force in line with differences detected between the course of the road and the driver’s use of the wheel, providing subtle and natural assistance.

Other new features include an Emergency Driving Stop System that operates when Lane Trace Assist is engaged. This detects if the driver has ceased to make steering, braking or throttle inputs over a period of time. It will sound and show an alert and if there is still no response from the driver, it will bring the car to smooth stop and activate the hazard lights.

Vice President Toyota Motor Europe, Sales & Value Chain, Toyota Sales & Marketing

Dear Ladies & Gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to Toyota. My name is Tom Fux, and I am Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe for Sales, Marketing and Value Chain.

Today, we are thrilled to present our European Commercial Vehicle strategy and ambitions.

Our global company vision of providing mobility solutions for every customer and leaving no one behind also applies to our commercial vehicle range. Indeed, I am very pleased to announce that as from today, Toyota offers a full and electrified product range to meet every customer’s need.

First, let’s have a look at Toyota’s commercial vehicle business in Europe so far.

Our story dates back to the 60s, when we launched the legendary Hilux & Hiace in Europe. Since then, they gained a worldwide reputation for quality, durability & reliability.

Back in 2016, we entered into a strategic partnership with Stellantis for commercial vehicles, starting with the Toyota PROACE. Since then, we have enjoyed year-on-year growth in Europe - both in terms of sales and market share.

We strengthened our product line-up with the PROACE CITY at the end of 2019. And, in 2021, we introduced the PROACE and PROACE CITY Electric.

Last year we achieved record sales of 140,000 units representing a record market share of 5.7%.

So far, we were covering the pick-up, CDV and MDV segments, with the Hilux, PROACE CITY and PROACE, which represents 70% of the LCV market.

However, Toyota was still missing the offer in the heavy-duty segment. This segment accounts for around 30% of total LCV market. To answer the demand of our customers, we are now announcing a newcomer to our range.

A completely new model for Toyota .... the PROACE MAX.

PROACE MAX completes our commercial offer… and, with its wide range of body varieties, it provides many new business opportunities for us … and our customers. 

PROACE MAX has been shortlisted for the 2025 International Van of The Year.

So - how does this translate into our mid-term ambitions?

Well, we want Toyota Professional to become an even more credible LCV brand in Europe… and we are aiming for a top 6 position by further growing our market share to 7% and reaching an annual sales volume of 180,000 units.

To achieve these goals, we have developed Toyota LCV strategy based on 4 pillars:

We will offer a strong and competitive product range…

We will take care of our customers every step of the way…

We will provide market-leading commercial vehicle services and expertise.

And we will roll-out dedicated Toyota Professional Centres across Europe to provide the right customer journey. 

Thanks to the new PROACE MAX, our Toyota Professional line-up is now complete, allowing us to offer a full product range to our customers.

Toyota Professional is more than just vehicles.

Customers choosing Toyota Professional enjoy a wide range of products and services including:

Toyota Relax warranty service…whenever their vehicle is serviced at an authorized Toyota retailer, customers obtain a new warranty for 1 additional year, up to 10 years or 185,000 km. Here in Germany, we extended the warranty even up to 15 years.

We also plan to minimise vehicle downtime offering the Express Service, performing regular maintenance with two expert technicians.

And, of course, on top of these programmes, we are offering tailor-made financial services and products provided by KINTO, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota Insurance Services, all represented here on this stand.

To secure the right and consistent expertise, we have developed pan-European trainings for our LCV sales and after sales experts.

With our complete line-up, we will also benefit from new conversion business opportunities.

In line with our Mobility For All promise, we have developed a wheelchair accessible vehicle conversion for PROACE Verso, and today, as European premiere, we showcase a wheelchair accessible concept for the CDV segment as well.

We will have the RIGHT products, the RIGHT services, and the RIGHT people, but also the RIGHT place with our Toyota Professional Centres to meet every customer needs.

Our Toyota Professional Centres will all get a brand new, distinctive look. And by end of 2025 we are planning to reach 500 Toyota Professional Centres around Europe.

At Toyota, we believe in the power of our multi-path strategy towards carbon neutrality - including our commercial vehicle range.

Specifically of interest to fleet customers, we offer as current line-up portfolio a wide range of internal combustion engines, mild hybrid, and battery electric vehicles. With a battery electric vehicles sales mix of 10%, we are already a top performing brand in Europe, outperforming the market overall.

But, of course, our ambition is to further increase the mix of zero-emission vehicles by further working with our customers to define the next generation of product solutions.

As possible next steps, we have recently presented battery electric and fuel cell electric prototypes of the iconic Hilux. I believe the fuel cell variant is of key interest in Europe, particularly as we’re also looking at solutions in the medium- and heavy-duty truck markets.

To tell us more about our fuel cell strategy, I would like to invite Yasui-san on stage.

Shinichi Yasui

Executive Vice President Toyota Motor Europe,  R&D, Hydrogen Factory Europe, Connected Technologies & Purchasing  / Chief Project Leader Toyota Motor Corporation, Hydrogen Factory

Thank you Tom.

Good morning, everyone, my name is Shinichi Yasui. I am Executive Vice President of TME R&D and Chief Project Leader of Hydrogen Factory.

Today, I’d like to explain hydrogen related activities in Toyota.

Indeed, we strongly believe that hydrogen fuel cell technology is a great fit for LCVs and we recently demonstrated it in the Hilux at the Olympic games.

In fact, in Paris we showed how hydrogen can be used for many applications – all of which can support a local hydrogen cluster – which in turn creates demand and reduces costs. This kind of cluster combines fuel cell use in cars, taxis, buses, trucks and even boats operating on the river.

This supports our image that carbon is our enemy, and we should use all technologies and a wide range of applications to fight it by multi-pathway approach.

Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible, everywhere in the world! And not just for light duty vehicles.

We believe fuel cell technology is a very good fit for medium and heavy duty transportation solutions. Let me explain briefly.

The wider use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is coming quickly.

Recently the EU president re-confirmed that hydrogen for carbon reduction is critical for Europe to achieve its climate goals. To support this ambition, the EU and its member states have a wide-reaching framework in place.

The Renewable Energy Directive mandates that 42% of industry hydrogen must come from renewables by 2030…  and 60% by 2035.

At the same time, there is an EU regulation to stimulate the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure. This means there will be a hydrogen station every 200 kilometers along the Trans-European Transport Network by the end of this decade.

The point is that green hydrogen is going to be widely available across Europe by 2030. Things are moving.

At the same time, Toyota is not standing still.

We believe that today we already have industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell technology.

However, we have already announced our 3rd generation technology which will further improve efficiency by around 20% and reduce the cost of the FC stack by up to 50%.

The launch of this latest technology will coincide with new infrastructure and green hydrogen developments I just mentioned. This will give an increasing number of transportation companies a practical and affordable way to reduce their carbon footprints.

With our partners we have already created a wide range of applications including buses, boats, trains and stationary power generators.

However, being here in Hannover, I want to highlight the importance of fuel cells for medium and heavy-duty trucks.

Truck companies are facing strict CO2 reduction targets towards 2030. This requires them to develop practical and reliable zero emissions solutions.

This is a key reason why we took trucks very much into account when developing our 3rd generation fuel cell technology. As a result, not only will the efficiency increase and the cost reduce, but the durability will improve significantly.

Our door remains open to new partners in Europe and beyond and we are looking forward to a wide range of fuel cell applications across the whole industry.

Let me end by saying: “The future is something we all create together”.

So, let’s work together to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible and as soon as possible in the transportation sector.

Thank you.

With the introduction of the all-new PROACE MAX, the development of the Toyota Professional line-up of light commercial vehicles has reached a significant milestone.

Not only does the new model take Toyota into Europe’s heavy-duty van market for the first time, it also completes a range that gives the brand a presence in all the principal LCV market segments.

PROACE MAX takes its place alongside the updated and restyled PROACE medium-duty van, the compact PROACE CITY and their VERSO people carrier counterparts, all of which adopt a powerful new family design identity.

In addition, the legendary Hilux pick-up gains enhanced performance with the upcoming introduction of the Hilux Hybrid 48V mild hybrid.

Together these models cover a wide range of customer requirements, not just by delivering best-in-class qualities but by also offering battery electric powertrain options across the board. This breadth of choice aligns with Toyota’s multi-path technology strategy which deploys different solutions that can reduce CO2 emissions while offering the affordability, practicality and flexibility that customers need.

Day-to-day running is made easier with the benefit of Toyota connected services, provided as standard on all Toyota Professional models. Using the MyToyota smartphone app, customers and fleet managers can check up-to-the-moment vehicle status information and remotely control functions such as door locking/unlocking and air conditioning. For battery electric versions there are extra functions to help schedule efficient charging and to locate convenient public chargepoints.

Toyota Professional is about much more than the products, however. It includes a commitment to customer-focused service in every aspect, with purpose-designed products and services. These range from specialist sales staff and technicians, finance, insurance and warranty products and a multitude of opportunities for vehicles to be adapted for different uses, from accessories to multiple conversion possibilities.

The powerful product portfolio and the commitment to customer care combine to support Toyota Professional’s growth ambitions. In 2023, Toyota’s European LCV business achieved a new sales record with more than 140,000 units delivered across Europe; and the company intends to further build upon this success by targeting sales of more than 180,000 units and a market share of more than 7% in 2025.

THE TOYOTA PROMISE

The Toyota Promise provides every Toyota Professional customer with a unique package of peace-of-mind benefits linked to their vehicle.

An industry-leading comprehensive warranty package is provided on all vehicles. The battery electric models benefit from eight-year/100,000 km cover, while for diesel models the standard cover is three years/100,000 km.

With Toyota Relax, the warranty on any vehicle can be extended up to maximum 10 years/ 160,000 km. Once the new vehicle warranty period has passed, a further one year/10,000 km warranty is provided each time the vehicle undergoes scheduled servicing at an authorised Toyota workshop.

In the event something goes wrong, Toyota roadside assistance is on hand, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide rapid help to get business moving again, or to take the vehicle to the nearest Toyota workshop for repairs.

If their vehicle is off the road for service or maintenance, the customer can access a replacement vehicle, bookable in advance and available for collection at times to suit their business needs – early morning, late evening or on Saturdays (subject to vehicle availability).

Vehicle downtime can also be minimised with the option of Express Service, which sees two technicians allocated to a vehicle, using a workstation dedicated to Light Commercial Vehicles. Potentially this can see routine maintenance tasks being completed twice as quickly.

Toyota offers finance, insurance and leasing/contract hire products tailored to the Toyota Professional range, provided by Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Insurance Services and its pan-European mobility business KINTO.

THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Toyota has produced a new retail concept to showcase its professional line-up and deliver a customer-focused experience. The Toyota Professional Centres are an expression of the reinvigorated Toyota Professional brand, offering expert assistance in both showroom and workshop.

The new centres will be rolled out from next year in existing dealerships, giving a new focus on commercial vehicles with a dedicated display and maintenance area, complemented by a permanent outdoor branded showroom. Sales personnel are undergoing dedicated training to acquire specialist expertise.

From 2025, standalone Toyota Professional Centres will take the LCV commitment and service a step further, introducing new features including service and product promotions, eye-catching outdoor display structures and showcasing of accessories and conversions.

The enhanced experience will also extend to Toyota Professional’s online presence with the website offering a “help me choose” feature to advise customers on the best vehicle and configuration to suit their needs, together with straightforward information about Toyota’s competitive finance and insurance products.

INTRODUCING THE HEAVY-DUTY PROACE MAX

Toyota Professional has proved its competitiveness in the compact and medium-duty van markets over the past few years. Now it’s ready to take the next step with its first heavy-duty van, taking it into the largest and highest-value segment.

The PROACE MAX becomes the largest member of the Toyota Professional line-up. With two wheelbase sizes, three lengths and three height options, it’s offered in several configurations to cover a wide range of load-carrying requirements. In its largest form, it has a best-in-class load volume of 17m3.

Accessing this space is made easy thanks to full-height rear doors and a low threshold. The doors open to 270 degrees – a first for a Toyota van.

The battery electric PROACE MAX has a driving range of up to 420 km (WLTP standard), distance enough for businesses to cover local itineraries without having to recharge every day. Charging to 80% using a 150 kW fast-charging system takes around just 55 minutes. Three diesel powertrains are also available, with manual and automatic transmissions and power outputs to suit different haulage demands.

Around 90% of heavy-duty vans sold in Europe have some form of customisation or are fitted with accessories appropriate for their usage. The PROACE MAX offers a wealth of conversion opportunities. Factory-delivered options include platform and chassis cab versions, tippers and a drop-side model; further special adaptations can be carried out by Toyota-certified converters. The range of accessories is extensive, to enhance load carrying, security, protection for the load space and practicality.

The PROACE MAX introduces a new PROACE family exterior design with a strong, purposeful frontal treatment, a matt black grille and full LED headlights. High grade models adopt a new multimedia system with 10-inch touchscreen and access to cloud-based navigation. An extended range of Toyota Safety Technologies as standard provides peace of mind, protecting the vehicle and its occupants.

The new model is manufactured by Stellantis at its plants in Gliwice, Poland (Battery-electric versions), and Atessa, Italy (diesel versions). Production began in mid-July this year and the vehicle is already available to order in some European markets. Customer deliveries are expected to start in September,

THE 2024 PROACE AND PROACE CITY

The versatile PROACE and PROACE CITY vans and respective VERSO people carriers feature eye-catching styling updates, adopting a family look that connects them visually with their sister PROACE MAX model.

The medium-duty PROACE van’s battery electric powertrain offers a driving range extended by 20 km to up to 350 km. At the same time, it provides cargo capacity to match its performance with up to 6.6m3 and the ability to carry payloads of up to 1,400 kg. In VERSO specification, there is comfortable seating for up to nine people.

The compact PROACE CITY also provides exceptional load space for its class, with a maximum of 4.4 m3 on offer and the strength to take payloads of up to 1,000 kg, depending on the powertrain selected. As with PROACE, the electric model benefits from revisions to its battery, increasing the maximum range by 50 km to 330 km. The van version comfortably accommodates three front-seat passengers while the VERSO has space for up to seven.

The PROACE AND PROACE CITY are also available with a range of diesel powertrains and are produced by Stellantis at its plants in Atessa, Italy and Vigo, Spain.

THE NEW HILUX HYBRID 48V

The Toyota Professional line-up also includes the new Hilux Hybrid 48V, a version of the redoubtable pick-up that uses a 48V hybrid system based on its established 2.8-litre engine.

This delivers improved throttle response and smoother, linear acceleration, in addition to the Hilux’s world-famous durability and reliability. Regenerative braking and a more efficient stop-and-start system making for a more comfortable and efficient drive. Off-road control and stability are aided by the addition of a new Multi-Terrain Select system with settings for a range of different conditions, together with an Auto mode that responds seamlessly to the prevailing conditions

There is no compromise on the Hilux’s payload and towing capacities, which remain exceptional at 1,000 kg and 3,500 kg respectively.

The new Hilux Hybrid 48V will be manufactured at Toyota’s Prospecton factory in Durban, South Africa. Production for European markets will start towards the end of 2024.

The all-new Toyota PROACE MAX combines powerful load carrying and class-leading capacity with efficient performance and a powerful, robust design.

As Toyota’s first heavy duty van (HDV) in Europe, it joins the updated PROACE, PROACE CITY and Hilux to complete a comprehensive Toyota Professional portfolio of light commercial vehicles.

In common with all other models in the PROACE family – the PROACE medium-duty van, compact PROACE CITY and the VERSO people carrier models – PROACE Max is available with a battery electric powertrain that brings responsive performance, ride comfort and high-capacity haulage in a variety of configurations suitable for any task, without sacrificing practicality or reliability.

The electrification of its light commercial range emphasises Toyota’s multi-path technology strategy towards carbon neutrality. Toyota believes that all customers, including those purchasing vehicles for commercial use, should have access to a variety of affordable and practical options to accelerate the pace of CO2 reduction today and contribute to a transition to zero emission mobility in the future.

In addition to its load-carrying and performance qualities, PROACE MAX presents a striking exterior design, focused on a new frontal treatment that creates a new PROACE family identity. This includes a stylish upper element in the van’s body colour which extends around the matt black grille to flow into the colour-matched front bumper.  The purposeful look is emphasised by the full LED headlights; the front fog lights have a cornering function for enhanced visibility. The wheel specifications include new 16-inch alloys for High grade models.

The multimedia offering includes a new 10-inch touchscreen and seven-inch colour TFT instrument display, standard on the High grade electric versions and available as an option on high grade diesels (full details of the infotainment and connectivity features are provided in the multimedia section below).

To ensure that the widest possible range of customers is catered for, PROACE Max offers conversion options, both factory-delivered and bespoke adaptations by Toyota-authorised specialists. Similarly, a wide range of accessories are available to suit different user and business needs.

VERSATILITY AND EXCEPTIONAL LOADING CAPACITY

The all-new PROACE MAX line-up covers a wide range of dimensions, giving customers a breadth of choice when it comes to selecting the size of vehicle that best suits their needs, together with numerous conversion possibilities.

In full van format there are six different sizes to choose from, based on two wheelbase options (3,450 mm and 4,035 mm), three lengths (5,413 mm, 5,998 mm and 6,363 mm) and three heights (2,254 mm, 2,524 mm and 2,764 mm. These combinations provide cargo area volume from 10 m3 to 17 m3, with space enough to comfortably carry up to five Euro pallets.

To put the load capacity into context, the L4 H3 PROACE MAX offers three times the load volume as the largest PROACE medium-duty van.

The panel vans are just one element in the PROACE MAX story: it is also available in factory-built one or three-way tipper and dropside configurations and as a Crew Cab with a second row of four seats, taking seating capacity up to seven (see below for further details on conversion options).

Gross vehicle weight is from 3,300 kg to 3,500 kg for the diesel models and 3,500 kg to 4,250 kg for the battery electric variants, depending on the vehicle configuration. The battery electric PROACE MAX matches the best in its class with up to 1,500 kg payload capacity and 2,400 kg towing capability. With diesel power, the maximum payload is up to 1,500 kg and the towing capacity up to 3,000 kg, depending on the combination of vehicle length and height.

POWER AND EFFICIENCY WITH NEW BATTERY ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN

A high-performance battery electric powertrain provides the PROACE MAX with the power, comfort and cost efficiency of electric driving. The system produces 200 kW (270 DIN hp) of power and 410 Nm of torque, giving the vehicle the muscle to take the toughest jobs in its stride.

With a driving range of up to 420 km (WLTP standard), the PROACE MAX is comfortably able to cover typical daily duties. The driver can adjust performance with three drive modes to suit their requirements, using a button next to the shift selector on the console:

• ECO mode optimises the driving range, limiting power output to 120 kW (163 DIN hp).
• NORMAL mode provides a good balance between power and efficiency, restricting output to 160 kW (218 DIN hp).
• POWER mode puts the emphasis on out-and-out performance, enabling the system to deliver its full 200 kW (270 DIN hp) potential.

Further benefits can be gained from the regenerative braking system. This captures kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking and feeds it back as electric power to charge the battery.

The driver can select their preferred level of regenerative braking using paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. There are four levels to choose from, giving different degrees of deceleration when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. The higher the level, the faster the vehicle will slow down and the greater the level of energy that will be recovered.

The 110 kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged to 80% in as little as 55 minutes when using a 150 kW fast-charging system, helping ensure vehicle down-time is minimised. The vehicle has an 11 kW AC onboard charger to support business and home charging overnight or when parked up for longer periods; a 22 kW AC charger will be introduced in 2025.

DIESEL POWERTRAIN OPTIONS

Three diesel powertrains are also available. The entry-level unit is a 2.2-litre with six-speed manual transmission, offering 120 DIN hp (88 kW) and 320 Nm – performance suitable for large vehicle fleets.

The mid-power engine is a 140 DIN hp (103 kW) version of the 2.2 unit, with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, giving 350 Nm or 380 Nm respectively.

The high-power diesel, also with manual or auto transmission, delivers 180 DIN hp (132 kW) and is well-suited for heavy-duty conversions.

CO2 emissions are from 198 g/km, equalling best-in-class performance. All PROACE MAX models have front-wheel drive, in common with most other models in the large van market.

CONVERSIONS AND CUSTOMISATION

Around 90% of HDVs sold in Europe have some form of customisation or make use of accessories. This can range from simple corporate liveries, internal linings and refrigeration to full body conversions to suit specific business needs. Toyota is addressing this demand by offering comprehensive conversion options and an extensive range of authentic, warrantied accessories.

Body types

In addition to the regular panel van and crew cab versions, the factory can supply incomplete vehicles which the customer can have modified to their specific requirements. These are a chassis cab and platform cab, both available in standard (5,943 mm) and extended (6,308 mm) length.

The PROACE MAX is the first PROACE model to be made available in chassis cab form, creating the potential for a wide range of different bodies and conversions. The platform cab has no bulkhead, so is appropriate for minibus or motorhome conversions.

The factory also produces the dropside and tipper conversions. These and the crew cab can be delivered with electric or diesel powertrains. Furthermore, all factory conversions benefit from the same manufacturer warranty protection as the PROACE MAX panel vans.

Conversions and customisation

A conversion framework is being rolled out so that customers will get the vehicle that is perfectly matched to their business requirements with conversion and customisation undertaken by authorised local converters. The authorisation process focuses on verifying and improving the quality standards applied for the conversion and is in line with Toyota standards.

ACCESSORIES

From the start of sales, a wide range of accessories are available to enhance load carrying, security, protection for the load space and practicality.

The load capacity can be increased with a roof platform and rear ladder, while the interior can be fitted out with range of racking and shelving systems. With the benefit of a high roof option, the space can be transformed into a mobile workshop, with power supply options.

Wood and polypropylene (up to 50% lighter than wood) linings can be specified and attachment rails and cargo straps can be added to keep items secure. There’s also a selection of enhanced security locks to choose from, together with tow hitch options for customers needing to pull trailers.

For the electric versions, cables, cable bags and wallbox chargers are available.

COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

An extended range of Toyota Safety Technologies as standard provides peace of mind, protecting the vehicle and its occupants.

Safer and less stressful driving is supported by a number of new features. The Moving Off Information System (MIOS) and Blind Spot Information (BSIS), available on the BEV models with 4,250 kg GVW, help make the driver aware of any potential hazards in the blind spot area on the passenger side of the vehicle. These use a dedicated sensor and camera to monitor the area and if, for example, a pedestrian or cyclist or motorbike rider is detected, an alert lights up on the dashboard and a warning triangle sign appears in the door mirrors.

The driver gains further support from Crosswind Assist, which helps keep the vehicle stable when driving through strong crosswinds. It provides gentle, course-correcting braking to keep the PROACE MAX from drifting out of its lane. Should an accident happen, Event Data Recording collects and stores information about the vehicle’s operation and status before, during and after an impact.

A Traffic Jam Assist is due to be introduced, an extension of the adaptive cruise control which will make driving easier and safer in heavy traffic by detecting the vehicle ahead and managing the van’s lane-centring. It will also bring the PROACE Max to a stop if necessary, then accelerate back to its pre-set speed once the traffic flow is moving again.

Parking and manoeuvring the vehicle is made easier with the availability of rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and 360-warning provide by an array of 14 sensors – 16 on the L4 model. A digital, centre-mounted rear-view mirror is also available.

MULTIMEDIA AND INSTRUMENTATION

A multimedia system with a 10-inch high-definition touchscreen is provided on the PROACE MAX BEVs and is available as an option on diesel versions. The package includes an embedded SIM card to access cloud-based navigation with 3D-mapping and the benefit of up-to-moment community feedback-based traffic information.  Other features include voice recognition that responds to natural spoken commands, Bluetooth and DAB radio reception. The driver’s instrumentation is a seven-inch colour digital display

The standard provision on the diesel-powered models is a five-inch colour display with a monochrome digital instrument cluster.

Easy, wireless smartphone integration is provided, via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

EUROPEAN PRODUCTION

PROACE MAX marks a deeper collaboration between Toyota Motor Europe and Stellantis. The relationship began in 2012 and gives both companies the opportunity to optimise development and production costs. The PROACE MAX battery electric vans are built at the Stellantis plant in Gliwice, Poland, and the diesels and other BEV versions in Atessa, Italy.

PRODUCT LAUNCH PROGRAMME

The PROACE MAX will have a staggered roll-out across European markets, with first customer deliveries expected from September 2024.

The panel vans will be released first, followed by chassis cab and platform cab models from September and dropside conversion from October. November will see the first panel van crew cab, with the tipper arriving the following month. Right-hand versions of the BEV panel vans will be available from September.

The PROACE and PROACE CITY have led the way in introducing battery electric powertrains to the Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles. There are now battery electric or hybrid options for every model in the LCV line-up, giving customers affordable and practical options to reduce their carbon footprint.

Enhanced models for 2024

A programme of enhancements for the PROACE medium duty van and the compact PROACE CITY has strengthened their competitiveness, both models still offering payloads and maximum load lengths that are among the best in their class.

For the 2024 model year they benefit from new styling and equipment features that complement their load-carrying capabilities with higher levels of convenience, comfort, safety and practicality.

Their makeover introduces a stronger visual road presence, highlighted by a frontal treatment with clean, powerful lines. The absence of an upper grille between the headlights creates a distinctive and sophisticated appearance, while on the PROACE CITY, the lower grille adopts a trapezoidal shape– a design cue shared with other current Toyota models. The overall look communicates toughness, amplified by the new headlights – now available with full LED technology – and alloy wheel options. The cabin has a fresh new look as well, with a sturdy yet comfortable trim.

Infotainment

The tech profile has been enhanced with the introduction of a new 10-inch colour multimedia display provided as standard on all grades except the entry-level models, which retain a five-inch monochrome screen. DAB radio and Bluetooth are standard across the board and Medium and High grades introduce a new 10-inch digital colour instrument cluster. USB-C ports for data and charging are provided on all grades, together with wireless Mirror Link smartphone integration. The high-grade versions further provide an embedded navigation system, with three years’ TomTom subscription.

A major step up in safety and driver assistance

The PROACE and PROACE CITY ranges mark a major step up in the provision of safety and driver assistance features compared to the previous models. Functions that were previously options are now mainly provided as standard, including pre-collision, lane keep assist, automatic high beam and road sign assist systems.

The active safety package also features adaptive cruise control (from 30 km/h or with optional stop-go capability) and intelligent speed assist.

Other upgrades include the provision of front-side airbags; a redesigned front bumper for improved pedestrian protection, a collapsible steering column and strengthened structural parts.

The measures go beyond regulatory requirements to offer more sophisticated support for the driver. They include a new digital rear-view mirror and Dynamic Surround View. Together, these practically eliminate the blind spots behind and on either side of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the PROACE van now gains the Flank Guard protection system that has previously been available on the PROACE CITY. This warns the driver if there is a risk of striking a roadside obstacle, such as a pillar or barrier when making a low-speed turn.

2024 PROACE and PROACE VERSO

Formats to suit all customer needs

The PROACE medium-duty van and PROACE VERSO people carrier have an established reputation for providing the power, space and efficiency to comfortably handle the task at hand.

Different customer needs are catered for by a choice of vehicle formats. These include medium and long body length options (4,983 mm and 5,333 mm respectively) and a Crew Cab version for the van that adds an extra, second row of seats.

The PROACE VERSO can comfortably accommodate up to nine passengers, with equipment grades that tailor the vehicle for work-focused use, family lifestyles or executive transport.

The Crew Cab Premium grade is a new addition to the PROACE range. This provides superior comfort for up to five people while maintaining generous capacity to carry bulky loads. The high-quality details include a premium dash finished in Mistral Black leather upholstery trims for the seats and armrest and height-adjustable headrests. The second-row bench has leather-finished seats and two armrests, while the convenience of the load area is extended with space beneath the bench to allow longer items to be carried.

Increased driving range from revised battery electric powertrain

The 2024 PROACE models benefit from a series of revisions to their battery electric powertrain that delivers an increase in driving range.

A new electric motor providing 136 DIN hp (100kW) of power and the smooth, relaxed drive of a BEV has been introduced and a new connector and modified fuse box have been added to the lithium-ion battery. As a result, vehicles fitted with the 75 kWh battery can cover up to an additional 20 km, taking the driving range up to a best-in-class 350 km (WLTP standard) between charges.  This level of capability provides generous scope for local driving duties without the need for a daily recharge. The battery can be recharged in 45 mins using a DC fast-charging supply. A 50 kWh battery option is also available.

Regenerative braking

The introduction of a regenerative braking system further helps the driver maximise their vehicle’s driving range. This captures kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking and feeds it back as electric power to charge the battery.

The driver can select their preferred level of regenerative braking using paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. There are three levels to choose from – light, medium and strong, giving different degrees of deceleration when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. The higher the level, the faster the vehicle will slow down and the greater the amount of energy that will be recovered.

Diesel engine options

Two versions of PROACE’s well-proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine are available: a 145 DIN hp (106 kW) unit with six-speed manual gearbox and a 180 DIN hp (132kW) powerplant with eight-speed automatic transmission. A 1.5-litre engine producing 120 DIN hp (88 kW) is also offered, exclusively in the PROACE van.

Load-carrying capacity

As well as having the power to get the job done, the Toyota PROACE van has a load-carrying capacity to match. The cargo area volume is up to a maximum of 6.6 m3 (long version with Smart Cargo system) and the payload is equal-best-in-class at 1,400 kg. When extra equipment or goods need to be carried, users can take advantage of a towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg (2.0 144 model).

Their 1.9 m height allows both the PROACE and PROACE VERSO to access standard car parks while manoeuvring in busy urban locations is made easier thanks to a 6.2 m turning radius for the medium-length model and 6.4 m for the long version.

Conversions and customisation

A conversion framework is being rolled out so that customers will get the vehicle that is perfectly matched to their business requirements with conversion and customisation undertaken by authorised local converters. The authorisation process focuses on verifying and improving the quality standards applied for the conversion and is in line with Toyota standards.

Wheelchair conversions

The PROACE expresses Toyota’s ultimate goal of realizing “Mobility for All” with the availability of conversions to enable wheelchair access so that wheelchair users can travel safely and comfortably. The details include a lowered floor and foldable rear entry lamp, with LED illumination to help with access at night. Manual or automatic side steps and an electric winch can also be specified.

2024 PROACE CITY AND PROACE CITY VERSO

The 2024 PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO also feature the new PROACE family front design, giving them a more contemporary look and individual character.

The adaptable PROACE CITY van can be specified as a panel van or a Crew Cab while the VERSO is a versatile passenger vehicle that can seat up to seven (equalling the best in class) for daily commuting or flexible family transport.

The PROACE CITY van retains the excellent, business-friendly load-carrying capabilities that have made it an award-winning proposition. Clever design solutions increase the available space up to 4.4 m3 in the long wheelbase version – the largest capacity in its segment – and 3.9 m3 in the standard-wheelbase model. 

The key to maximising the volume is the Smart Cargo system. Based on the space-extending feature found in the larger PROACE van, this uses a folding outer passenger seat and a hatch in the sliding mesh bulkhead to extend load length by 1.3m so that longer items such as ladders and piping can be carried. Maximum load length is 2.2 m – another class-leading figure.

The battery electric model has a 780 kg maximum payload while the petrol and diesel versions can carry up to a class-leading 1,000 kg (in long-wheelbase form).

PROACE CITY further offers features that help people who need their van to double up as office space. With the Smart Cargo system, the front passenger seatback can be folded over to form a desktop. There is also the benefit of convenient connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and a USB port.

Battery Electric power

The battery electric system available in the PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO benefits from the same technical updates applied to the larger PROACE models (details above), together with a new electric motor, which gives the vehicle a maximum 100 kW (136 DIN hp) of power.

The updates have delivered a 50 km increase in the driving range to 330 km (WLTP standard). Using a 100 kW DC fast charging system, the 50 kWh battery can be recharged to up to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Customers in colder climates can specify an optional heat pump which can help warm the cabin without drawing excessively on battery charge, thus protecting the vehicle’s driving range.

The PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO also benefit from the energy-capturing regenerative braking system features of the larger PROACE models, detailed above.

Diesel and petrol powertrains

Both PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO are available with a choice of two 1.5-litre diesel powertrains: 100 DIN hp (75 kW) which is badged 100, with a six-speed manual transmission and a 130 DIN hp (96 kW) eight-speed automatic version. They can also be specified with a 1.2-litre petrol engine with manual transmission delivering 110 DIN hp (81 kW).

For the first time, Toyota will be present at this year's IAA Transportation Hannover with a 700 m² booth displaying the brand’s full Professional line-up.

With the launch of the PROACE MAX, the Toyota commercial vehicle business in Europe reaches a new milestone, by entering the class of large vans in Europe for the first time.

Having already proven its competitiveness in the compact- and medium-sized van market in recent years, Toyota is now present in all important LCV market segments.

Toyota offers the new PROACE MAX in a battery-electric version and is prepared for all conceivable requirements with a wealth of conversion options. Among other things, dropside and chassis versions and tippers are available from the factory; further special adaptations can be made by certified converters.

Toyota also launched this year the updated, mid-size van PROACE, the compact PROACE CITY and the respective VERSO passenger car variants, all of which feature a striking new family design.

In addition, the legendary Hilux pick-up will receive a 48V hybrid system for the first-time next year, which enables efficiency with further improved driving performance and offers extra driving comfort in the city as well as off-road.

KINTO Mobility, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota Insurance Services complete the Toyota Professional offering and will also present their services at the Toyota booth.

A section of the Toyota booth will be dedicated for Toyota’s solutions for hydrogen mobility, including a Fuel Cell Hilux prototype, and fuel cell systems that can be provided to other OEMs for integration in trucks, buses or other means of transportation.

The Toyota on-stand press conference is scheduled on September 16 at 10:20 AM. On September 17 at 2:30 PM, Toyota will also join an IAA Commercial Vehicle Talk in Room 12 of the Convention Center to discuss alternative drive systems for commercial vehicles.

IAA Transportation 2024 opens from Sept 17 to 22 at the Deutsche Messe in Hanover, Germany.

The annual four-day automotive celebration in grounds of historic Goodwood House in Sussex, England, concluded yesterday (14 July) with Toyota enjoying the opportunity to demonstrate how its carbon-reducing multi-path technology strategy is being developed to enter the world of top-level competition.

Rowan Atkinson, the celebrated international film actor and automotive aficionado, took the wheel of the first European-built hydrogen-fuelled GR Yaris on Goodwood’s hill climb course. David Richards, chairman of both the motorsport and advanced technology business Prodrive and the national sporting organisation Motorsport UK, and the Duke of Richmond, owner of the Goodwood Estate, were among special guests invited to experience the car from the passenger seat.

TGR-WRT was out in force with eight-time World Champion Sébastien Ogier, reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä and 2024 title-challenger Elfyn Evans. The team presented both the GR YARIS Rally1 Hybrid and – new this season - Rally2 WRC cars, while the new GR Yaris – a high-performance road car developed with direct input from TGR-WRT and professional drivers – was also put through its paces.

Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala hosted the official handover of the keys of the two special edition versions of the new GR Yaris to Ogier and Rovanperä and introduced a special message from Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda (alias “Morizo”) who thanked them for their championship-winning contributions. The drivers have each had direct input into the special editions – produced only very limited numbers – tailoring the cars’ handling to their personal preferences.

The multi-path technology strategy was also embraced by Toyota’s support vehicles at the event. These included the hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Hilux prototype, a new version of the legendary pick-up that has been developed by a Toyota-led consortium in the UK, and the Corolla Commercial, another British-made model that has brought the efficiency benefits of hybrid power to the van market. 

The mighty GR DKR Hilux Evo T1U gave a taste of the all-terrain capabilities that are making it a leading contender in this year’s FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, running on all three Goodwood courses – hill climb, rally stage and off-road – piloted by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team members Seth Quintero, Dennis Zenz and Armand Monleon.

The new Toyota GR Yaris benefits from technical, design and construction enhancements that promise to deliver an even greater driving experience.

The original GR Yaris, first revealed in 2020, received such a positive reception on its launch, Toyota might have considered its work was done. Here was a car that at straight away stormed to the top of the hot-hatch segment, a rally-born, thoroughbred machine that left all competitors in its wake.

This was in fact just the start of the story. In the three years since the first car came off the production line, intensive efforts have been invested in making it even better: more powerful, more responsive, more engaging and more rewarding to drive.

The winning combination of power, poise and precise control of the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID competition car has filtered down directly from World Rally, the sport’s premier competition, to the new GR Yaris, a car that’s genuinely “born from WRC”. This high-performance hatchback is a perfect expression of Toyota’s focus on using involvement in top level motorsport to fuel the development of ever better cars – both for racing and the road.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing engineers have worked with race and rally professionals in the spirit of constant improvement to enrich the GR Yaris’ essential character as a “driver-first” car – one that is all about the special experience you enjoy from the moment you get behind the wheel and fire up the engine.

The check-list of changes is extensive, justifying the “new GR Yaris” description. Key elements include evolution of the world-leading turbocharged three-cylinder engine to deliver even more power and torque and the introduction of a brand-new eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, engineered for competition-fast gear changes.

The bespoke GR Yaris chassis has been further strengthened and in the cabin the cockpit layout and driving position have been redrawn for a more authentic sports car feel, whether on-road driving or in motorsports competition. The suspension has also been adjusted for greater handling control and robust performance under high loads, with revised spring rates and a strengthened front shock absorber assembly.

The new GR Yaris offers everything that made the original such a success, but more so. As a result, it promises to set itself even further ahead of the competition.

A more focused range comprises a single version in “Circuit” specification that includes a cooling performance pack. This equips the car with an additional sub-radiator, intercooler spray and modified air intake.

The new GR Yaris will go on sale across Europe from Summer 2024.

GR YARIS: THE STORY SO FAR

• GR Yaris developed by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
• Engineering and design benefit directly from TGR’s World Rally Championship-winning expertise
• More than 40,000 sold worldwide, with about half of these in Europe, since launch in 2020

The GR Yaris is the perfect demonstration of how Toyota and its performance arm TOYOTA GAZOO Racing are committed to developing ever-better cars through motorsport. From the outset, this was not going to be just another hot hatch: this was a car that in engineering and design terms directly reaped the benefits of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s championship winning experience in the WRC.

A new engine, a new electronic all-wheel drive system and a tailor-made chassis were all part of the plan. When the production car reached the hands of the press and customers, the response far surpassed Toyota’s expectations. Since the model’s 2020 launch, more than 20,000 cars have been sold in Europe, with a 99% customer satisfaction rating. Most of those sold have been the Circuit Pack version, hence the decision to focus on this specification for the new model. Customers include many performance car aficionados, who consider the GR Yaris to be worthy of a place alongside significantly more powerful prestige models in their collections. The GR Yaris is thus beyond categorisation; it is in a class of its own and an instant sports car classic.

The development programme that has delivered the new GR Yaris follows the concept of “develop, race, break, fix”. This describes how in seeking improvements, the car is pushed to its limits – literally to the breaking point of its components. Chief Engineer Naohiko Saito said: “Every aspect of the new GR Yaris incorporates the knowhow and expertise fed back from actual motorsport situations and from our Master Driver Akio Toyoda and race and rally drivers.”

POWERTRAIN: MORE POWER, MORE TORQUE, MORE CONTROL

• Maximum output from turbocharged three-cylinder engine increased to 280 DIN hp; maximum torque rises to 390 Nm
• Power unit “tested to breaking point” in race and rally competition to ensure durability
• Brand new eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission

At launch, the GR Yaris’ turbocharged engine had the distinction of being the world’s most powerful three-cylinder production unit. Now it offers even more: power has been increased by 19 DIN hp and the driver can call on an additional 30 Nm of torque, with maximum figures rising from 261 DIN hp and 360 Nm to 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm.

This new benchmark in performance reaffirms the car’s supremacy in its class, increasing its advantage over the competition and delivering an authentic race car feel that reaffirms how Toyota has realised its ambition to build a rally car for the road.

At the same time as engine output has been raised, steps have been taken to ensure durability is maintained. Once again, the race track and the rally stage were the proving ground, with the engine tested to breaking point in the Japan Rally Championship and the Japanese Endurance Race series. Details include a strengthened valvetrain, a new exhaust valve material and an increase in the D-4ST fuel injection pressure. New lightweight pistons with wear-resistant rings have been fitted and a new intake pressure sensor has been added.

The specification for Europe includes a cooling pack as standard, comprising an additional sub-radiator that extend the time the vehicle can be driven in full-throttle; modifications to the air intake; and an intercooler water spray.

A sporty engine sound is a key part of the GR driving experience. In the GR Yaris the effect is heightened by a control sound directed through the sound system’s amplifier to enhance the quality of the engine note. Active Noise Control uses a microphone to detect noise generated by engine rotation; cancelling noise is calculated by computer and output through the car’s audio speakers.

Fast shifting with new GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission

The introduction of a brand-new eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission is one of the most significant changes in the new GR Yaris programme, offered as an option to the established six-speed manual gearbox. In designing the new unit, Toyota focused on achieving the fastest possible downshift speed. Using an automatic  transmission also lets the driver focus more strongly on steering and use of the brake and throttle pedals.

Where conventional gear shifting relies on sensing vehicle behaviour, such as deceleration g-force and speed, the new transmission’s optimised software is also finely tuned to sense how the driver is using the brakes and accelerator. By doing so, it anticipates when gear shifting is necessary even before changes in vehicle behaviour occur, so that gear selection reflects the driver’s intentions and is similar to how professional drivers operate.

In track testing, the new system proved its value, helping secure faster lap times than the manual transmission. Handling performance is supported by the standard provision of front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.

To address issues including the vulnerability of automatic systems to heat damage and the need to balance high shift speed with driveability, GR engineers carried out repeated materials and software revisions. The test programme included TGR World Rally Team drivers putting it through its paces on different surfaces, including snow-covered roads in Finland. The unit was also used in the Japan Rally Championship, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge and the Super Taikyu Series.

Increasing the number of gears from six to eight allows the transmission to have closer ratios. It also benefits from a new torque control system and a compact, high-response linear solenoid. Using highly heat-resistant material in the gear-shift clutch and adjustments tuning of the control software have produced world-class shifting speeds.

A new drive mode selection function is available to tailor the car for both sports driving and everyday use, with Sport, Normal and Eco modes engaging different settings for the electric power steering, air conditioning operation, throttle response and the driver’s instrument display. On models equipped with the GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, the gearshift feel and selection are also adjusted. Shift feel is response-oriented in Sport mode and has a balance between shock and response in Normal and Eco modes. In Sport mode, response is prioritised in the D range, while using M range ensures the quickest shifting. The driver will find that working within the rev band from 4,900 rpm to the 7,200 rpm red line puts them at the heart of the action.

Six-speed manual sports transmission

Changes have been made to the six-speed manual sports transmission’s clutch system, adding a new dual mass flywheel so that the torque has been increased from 360 to 390Nm. The clutch characteristics have been tuned for controllable performance when making a rapid start and in competition driving.

Clutch pedal operation has been adjusted with the peak pressing force set relatively high to achieve the kind of feedback that’s appropriate for a sports car.

GR-FOUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

• GR-FOUR provides precise front/rear drive torque control
• Two limited-slip differentials manage left/right drive balance
• Driver can adjust AWD settings to suit conditions or their preference using mode switch

Optimum grip and traction are achieved with the GR-FOUR electronically controlled, permanent all-wheel drive system. The distribution of torque between the front and rear axles is governed by a high-response coupling, while two Torsen limited-slip differentials manage the split between the left and right-side wheels to give natural and direct car control.

The ingenious system uses slightly different gear ratios for the front and rear axles and allows for a theoretical range of front/rear torque balance from 100:0 (full front-wheel drive) to 0:100 (full rear-wheel drive). This flexibility gives a performance advantage over AWD on-demand systems that use twin-coupling or permanent AWD systems with a centre differential. The GR-FOUR system is also considerably lighter in weight.

The driver can adjust four-wheel drive performance to suit their preference or the driving situation using a 4WD mode dial switch. In normal mode the standard front/rear torque distribution is 60:40, but with new variable drive torque, the balance shifts in Track mode between 60:40 and 30:70. This increases the driving rewards on circuits and winding roads: the car will enter a bend with 60:40 distribution, but this will change to 30:70 to gain more rear wheel traction and secure better acceleration out of the bend. In Gravel mode the base setting is 53:47 for fast, competitive driving on circuits or special stages. In each mode, the torque balance will automatically adjust in response to the driver’s inputs, vehicle behaviour and road or track conditions.

The all-wheel drive system’s ECU provides linear control of the drive torque distribution, in line with the driving situation, responding to vehicle information including vehicle speed, acceleration and brake pressure. The system also uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, operating according to data from sensors measuring wheel speed, G-forces and clutch temperature.

CHASSIS AND HANDLING

• Increased body rigidity delivers even better chassis and steering response
• Purpose-designed chassis combining elements of Toyota’s GA-B and GA-C platforms
• Suspension strengthened to enhance performance under high loads

The GR Yaris’ lightweight body has been rendered even more rigid with around a 13% increase in spot welds and the application of approximately 24% more structural adhesive. As a result, the car’s yaw response, steering feedback and grip feel have been enhanced, building what was already a taut and highly rewarding chassis.

The platform was purpose-designed for the car, combining the front section of the Yaris’ GA-B structure and a new rear end crafted from Toyota’s larger GA-C platform. The body shell is unchanged, with a roof made from a lightweight forged (rather than woven) carbon compound material. Aluminium is used for the bonnet and doors, again saving weight and helping lower the car’s centre of gravity. Thin-sheet steel is used in the wings and side members, with light and strong high-tensile steels in critical areas to ensure the car’s structure can safely absorb and dissipate impact forces.

Strengthened suspension

The light but rigid suspension systems have been retained – front MacPherson struts and rear double wishbones with trailing arms – but adjustments have been made in response to feedback from competition drivers. Adding extra bolts to fasten the front shock absorbers to the body suppresses changes in alignment that can happen when upper bush deforms in high-load driving. The front and rear springs have also been adjusted for optimum performance and improved handling control.

Brakes

The braking system comprises 356 mm ventilated front discs with four-pot, lightweight aluminium callipers and 297 mm ventilated rear discs with two-pot aluminium callipers. The callipers are painted red and decorated with the GR logo.

High-friction pads are used front and rear. The brakes’ heat capacity is suitable for circuit driving, with performance closer to that of heavier and more powerful C-segment cars. 

The brake pedal has a short stroke and is tuned for solid feedback. Braking has a linear feel, with little variation between city and sports driving.

Steering

The steering is engineered for high control and linear feedback, contributing to how the driver feels a great sense of connection to the car, and to the road.

The additional bolts used to fasten the front shock absorbers contribute to sharper and more direct steering response. The driver receives the optimum feedback, even when making only small steering angle adjustments. Performance is further sharpened by minimising the delay before steering assistance is activated when the driver turns the wheel. The steering stroke ratio is 13.6:1 and the steering wheel takes 2.36 turns lock-to-lock.

Wheels and tyres

The new GR Yaris is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels with a multi-spoke design, shod with Michelin Pilot 4S high-performance tyres, designed for extra grip for high-speed driving stability and control. 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels are available in option.

COMPETITION-INSPIRED DRIVER’S COCKPIT

• Driver’s cockpit redesigned with input from professional race and rally drivers
• Key controls repositioned for quick, intuitive operation
• Driver’s field of vision increased

Significant changes have been made inside the GR Yaris to give the driver’s cockpit an authentically sporty feel with a design that’s true to the “driver first” principles that define the car.

The GR team took the inputs from racing and rally drivers as inspiration for re-positioning controls and giving the driver faster, clearer access. Race and rally drivers also had direct input into the changes.

Controls that often need to be used in competition driving, such as intercooler spray, VSC-OFF and hazard lights have been moved closer to the driver so they can be reached quickly and easily when using a racing harness. On the passenger side, the tray in the instrument panel has been made larger so there is space for extra meters or a co-driver’s monitor to be fitted.

The driver’s field of vision from the wheel has been improved by lowering the top edge of the instrument panel by 50 mm, changing the position of the rear-view mirror and angling the control panel 15 degrees further towards the driver.

The instrumentation includes a new 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter with two layout modes – normal and sport, the latter providing a sports performance-focused data display. The design is free of any superfluous ornamentation, so graphics are clear and information can be instantly viewed and understood. On the automatic model, the read-out includes transmission oil temperature and a visual warning in addition to a sound alarm to alert the driver when engine revs are too high for downshifting.

Precise changes have been made to give the driver the best posture. The seat has been lowered by 25 mm and steering wheel adjusted accordingly. The shift direction has been changed to suit competition driving so the driver pushes the lever forward for downshifts and pulls back for upshifts – a detail promoted by Master Driver and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda (alias “Morizo”).

EXTERIOR DESIGN

• GR Yaris a model in its own right, sharing only three external elements with the standard Yaris – the headlamp, door mirrors and roof antenna
• New lower grille and enlarged side grille to enhance cooling performance
• Relocated rear fog and reversing lights

As might be expected in such a thoroughbred machine, the changes to the GR Yaris’ exterior are far from being simple cosmetic tweaks. Once again, the feedback from professional and master drivers and experience gained in the heat of motorsport have been integral to the revisions.

The essential package remains the same: GR Yaris is a three-door car that’s very much a model in its own right: only the headlamp, antenna and door mirrors are carried over from the standard hatchback. Every element has been revised to achieve optimum downforces, aerodynamics and grip.

At the front of the car there is a new steel mesh for the lower grille, optimised for the best balance of thickness, strength and weight reduction. The side grille has a larger opening and lower bumper has a new split-construction that makes it easier and less costly to repair or replace.

At the rear, an opening in the bottom edge of the lower garnish allows air from beneath the floor to escape, reducing drag, improving the car’s manoeuvrability and stability and dispersing heat from the exhaust system.

The fog and reversing lights have been relocated, moving from the lower bumper to be integrated in the rear combination lamps, reducing the risk of damage. Similarly, the high-mounted stop light as been moved from the rear spoiler to lower down on the back door so that all rear lamps are aligned and in a clear line of sight for following drivers. Moving the stop light also makes it easier for the spoiler to be changed or customised.

The new GR Yaris introduces a new exterior colour option, Precious Metal, in addition to the established signature shades – Emotional Red, Precious Black and Super White/Platinum White Pearlescent, representing the colours of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing livery.

DEVELOPED IN THE SPIRITUAL HOME OF WORLD RALLYING

• Development centre at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team’s base in Jyväskylä, Finland
• Location allows for easy access to challenging roads for vehicle testing
• Model development faithful to TGR’s philosophy that “the road shapes the driver as well as the car”

When Toyota returned to the WRC in 2017 after 18 years away from rallying’s top level, an ambition to be the best was supported by the decision to base the new team in Finland. The town of Jyväskylä is widely regarded as the spiritual home of rallying and its location provides excellent access to challenging roads on which to test and tune vehicle performance.

This supports TOYOTA GAZOO Racing‘s belief that development is best achieved in extreme conditions and its philosophy that “the road shapes the driver as well as the car”. Around the world, people drive their cars in all conditions and on all types of surfaces, every day. To learn how to make ever-better cars, Toyota needs to gain a clear understanding of how ordinary people deal with their everyday driving demands.

Rallying is a motorsport that’s about how far cars can go in a wide range of driving conditions, which makes it the perfect high-level arena for gaining knowledge and experience and developing technologies, skills and solutions that can be applied to new production vehicles. This is why Toyota competes in the WRC.

OGIER AND ROVANPERÄ SPECIAL EDITIONS

• Two limited edition models celebrating World Rally Champions Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä, aimed at performance car aficionados
• Each version features Gravel and Track all-wheel drive modes tuned to suit the driving preference of each champion driver
• Dedicated styling details including dedicated paintwork colours, liveries and carbon fibre rear spoiler

Two special edition versions of the new GR Yaris are adding an extra layer of appeal to the model range, developed with personal input from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) champion drivers Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä. Aimed at genuine driving aficionados, these highly exclusive cars were revealed for the first time at Rallye-Monte Carlo, the opening event in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), and will be built in very limited numbers.

The special editions are inspired by concept versions which were shown at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, and have been created under the supervision of Ogier, who won two of his eight WRC driver’s titles with TGR-WRT, in 2020 and 2021, and Rovanperä, the winner in 2022 and 2023.

Their production reflects the desire of Master Driver Akio Toyoda – alias “Morizo” – to express his respect and gratitude to the drivers “who hone and grow our cars in rallies” and to the teams, the rally organisers and the sport’s fans.

In each car the “Gravel” and “Track” modes featured on the standard GR Yaris have been replaced with settings reprogrammed to reflect each driver’s personal preferences for handling and performance. The “special edition” quality also includes distinctive new exterior and interior styling features.

Both cars are powered by the latest development of the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm of torque, matched to six-speed intelligent manual transmission (6iMT),

Ogier Edition

The Ogier Edition GR Yaris has two new AWD control modes: Morizo and Seb. The Morizo mode has been developed by Morizo (Akio Toyoda) through his rally driving experiences. It is calibrated to help deliver consistent race times under acceleration, partial acceleration and braking. 

The Seb mode, developed by Ogier, uses 40:60 ratio of front and rear torque distribution. All-wheel drive distributes more torque to the rear axle, so that rear tires produce pushing force more.

This gives the driver a sense of being fully connected with the car and will help them achieve quicker times with high-speed driving body control.

The Ogier Edition’s bodywork has a dedicated Matt Stealth Grey paint finish and features the French national flag (Ogier’s home nation) on the radiator grille and the 18x8J BBS forged alloy wheels. WRC commemorative stickers are added to the front wings.

The stand-out details also include a new-design carbon fibre CFRP rear spoiler and blue-painted brake callipers. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals have been added to the left and right doors and an Ogier Edition logo to the back door.

Inside, there is a WRC victory commemoration plaque on passenger side of the instrument panel and contrast blue, grey and red stitching (honouring the French national colours) on the steering wheel. Grey stitching is used for the shift and parking brake gaiters and the seat upholstery.

On both special editions, the new GR Yaris’ digital instrumentation has been revised to include the new modes, together with the regular Normal AWD control mode.

Rovanperä Edition

The Ravonperä Edition has a unique Donut Mode, created specifically for the WRC's youngest champion who is highly skilled in drifting and performing tyre-smoking donuts. Thanks to the constant-velocity rear differential gear, front and rear axles will rotate at the same speed. Allowing constant maximum torque to the rear, perfect for “door turns”.

This GR Yaris version also provides a Kalle Mode. This uses 40:60 ratio of front and rear torque distribution, which is the same as Ogier mode, but due to the constant-velocity rear differential gear, the rear torque remains unchanged unlike the Ogier version ensuring nice stable drifting slides.

The car has an exclusive three-tone paint finish, applied as a series of painted motifs by the designer of Rovanperä’s drift car livery, Henri Liupakka. WRC victory stickers are added to the front wings and there are TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals on the doors and rear bumper and a Rovanperä Edition badge on the back door. As well as BBS 18x8J forged alloys, the car is fitted with a CFRP variable wing rear spoiler, shared with the GRMN Yaris, and constant-velocity rear differential gears, engineered to perform under sustained high drive loads.

In the cabin the trim and upholstery stitching again match the driver’s national colours, in this case blue and grey for Finland. As in the Ogier Edition, a special plaque commemorates TGR’s WRC victory.

Summary of Special Edition features

SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT FEATURES

• Third generation Toyota Safety Sense as standard
• Toyota Smart Connect + multimedia system with wireless smartphone integration
• Fully digital driver’s combimeter

Third generation Toyota Safety Sense

Notwithstanding its pure-bred performance profile, the new GR Yaris is equipped as standard with the latest, third generation of Toyota Safety Sense, providing a comprehensive package of systems to detect potential hazards, provide timely warnings and, when needed, provide steering, braking and drive assistance to help avoid a collision.

Should an impact be unavoidable, the car’s body structure is engineered to deform, absorbing and dissipating impact forces in a controlled fashion and safeguarding the integrity of the passenger cell.

The safety and driver assistance systems have been updated for added functionality and enhanced performance. For example, the Pre-Collision System can now recognise motorcycles and oncoming traffic and its intersection collision avoidance support can detect crossing vehicles. The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control has gained added turn-signal linked control and deceleration assist and it offers a wider choice of distance settings. Future software updates for the car’s safety and multimedia systems can be delivered over the air via the Data Communication Module (DCM), avoiding the need for the car to be taken to a service centre.

Equipment specification

New equipment features* include the Toyota Smart Connect + multimedia system with eight-inch touchscreen, navigation (both cloud-based and embedded systems), wireless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto a 12.3-inch digital driver’s combimeter.

Exterior features include power-folding heated door mirrors, rear privacy glass and automatic headlights. In the cabin there is dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front sprots seats, aluminium pedals and GR steering wheel. An app-based digital key, giving up to five users the convenience of accessing and starting the car with their smartphone, will be made available for the new GR Yaris during 2024.

EXPLORING FUTURE POSSIBILITIES: THE HYDROGEN-FUELLED GR YARIS

• The GR Yaris’ turbocharged three-cylinder engine has been converted to run on hydrogen
• Engineering study uses elements from the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric sedan, including hydrogen tanks installed in the GR Yaris’ boot
• Demonstration of how existing internal combustion engines can be adapted to use carbon-neutral hydrogen

Toyota includes the development of internal combustion engines that can run on carbon-neutral fuel in its multi-path technology approach to reducing and ultimately eliminating vehicle CO₂ emissions. Its development programme has already produced high-performance hydrogen powertrains for race cars competing in enduring events in Japan.

It has further investigated the potential of hydrogen ICE engines by converting the turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the new GR Yaris. Thanks to technologies developed by Toyota and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the conversion process is relatively straightforward: the major changes are replacement of the fuel tank and related fuel lines with components suitable for hydrogen.

Many parts have been adopted from the Mirai, Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric sedan, including high-pressure fuel tanks, installed in the GR Yaris’ boot. The principal change to the engine itself is the installation of a new fuel system with injectors, piping and spark plugs.

A ground-breaking project to realise a hydrogen fuel cell Hilux pick-up has moved into its next and final phase, signalling yet another milestone in Toyota’s progress towards a zero-carbon future. 

Since the unveiling of the first prototype vehicle in September 2023, Toyota and its consortium partners, supported by UK Government funding, have reached an intensive evaluation and demonstration stage. 

The latest landmark in this joint development project further demonstrates the broad scope of Toyota’s multi-path strategy towards carbon neutrality, applying different powertrain solutions – hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric, fuel cell electric and e-fuels – to suit different user needs and local infrastructure. 

A total of 10 fuel cell Hilux prototypes have now been built at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) facility in Derby, England. Five vehicles are undergoing rigorous field testing to assess safety, performance, functionality, and durability, generating test drive data in real-world situations. Five further units are engaged in customer and media demonstrations, including two at the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. By engaging customers with hydrogen fuel cell technology, Toyota is laying the groundwork for a successful hydrogen transport sector in the future. 

Along with Toyota’s 30 years of research and development into hydrogen fuel cells, know-how from the Hilux project will contribute to the next generation of fuel cell technology, which will offer longer lifecycles, increased driving range for vehicles and significantly reduced costs. 

Toyota expects Europe to be one of the largest hydrogen fuel cell markets by 2030, with steady growth in mobility and power generation applications. As a result, in December 2023 Toyota Motor Europe (TME) announced the Hydrogen Factory Europe, representing Toyota’s co-ordinated approach to the commercialisation of this technology, from development and production to sales and aftersales. 

The fuel cell Hilux prototype project is an important stepping stone to further develop hydrogen technology and stimulate a wider roll-out of hydrogen eco-systems and infrastructure across Europe. 

Vehicle profile

Based on the legendary Toyota Hilux, with its reputation for Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR) on the world’s toughest terrain, the hydrogen fuel cell prototype Toyota Hilux showcases how fuel cell technology can be integrated into a pick-up. 

Since its initial launch in 1968, the Hilux has proved its invincibility time and again, having conquered the North Pole, Icelandic volcanoes and the Antarctic continent, whilst also achieving three victories in the Dakar Rally. The fuel cell Hilux retains that uncompromising DNA whilst looking to a zero-carbon future. 

Externally, the fuel cell Hilux retains the same dimensions and rugged appearance as the latest Hilux. In extra-cab format, it is 5325 mm long, 1855 mm wide and 1810 mm tall but beneath the surface, Toyota’s fuel cell technology marks it out as a trailblazer. 

Power is delivered using core elements from the Toyota Mirai – technology that has proved its quality in almost a decade of commercial production since Toyota introduced the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell sedan in 2015. 

The fuel cell Hilux has an expected driving range of up to 600 km – further than might be achieved with a battery electric system. Meanwhile, thanks to hydrogen’s light weight, a higher payload and towing capability can be achieved compared to other zero-emission alternatives. 

Hydrogen is stored in three high-pressure fuel tanks, each containing 2.6 kg for a total system capacity of 7.8 kg. The tanks are mounted within the ladder frame chassis. 
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack contains 330 cells and is mounted above the front axle. The fuel cell Hilux is rear-wheel drive via an e-motor on the rear axle which delivers 134 kW (182 DIN hp) of maximum power and 300 Nm maximum torque. When driving, the fuel cell produces no tailpipe emissions, only pure water. 

A Lithium-ion hybrid battery, which stores the electricity produced on-board by the fuel cell, is positioned in the rear load deck, above the hydrogen tanks. This avoids any loss of cabin space. 

Project overview 

Starting with a feasibility study in early 2022 to demonstrate the advantages of hydrogen via a representative prototype vehicle, the hydrogen fuel cell Hilux prototype project has moved forwards at pace towards its concluding phase. 

The feasibility study, undertaken by TMUK and TME, enabled subsequent funding from the UK Government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a non-profit organisation supporting the development of cleaner technologies and new mobility concepts. 

An intense design and development programme ran from July 2022 to January 2023, alongside consortium partners Ricardo, ETL, D2H Advanced Technologies, Thatcham Research and with additional support from Toyota Motor Corporation. 

Parts manufacturing, including chassis frame welding, took place between February and May 2023, prior to prototype construction, which followed Toyota Production System principles in a dedicated area within the TMUK facility. Ricardo supported preparations for the prototype build, carrying out design and development tasks and confirming the complete manufacturing process in parallel with teams at TMUK. 

Prototype construction took place between June and July 2023 and the first vehicle was completed in just three weeks. A further nine prototypes were assembled prior to a thorough evaluation phase from July to December last year, including test rig and track testing. 

Those ten prototypes are now undergoing field testing alongside customer engagement activities, which will conclude the final phase of this research and demonstration project for the fuel cell Hilux. 

Hydrogen solutions 

Since the start of its hydrogen fuel cell development in 1992, Toyota has expanded its knowledge of the technology and encouraged its adoption across a wide variety of different mobility uses, with over 20 hydrogen partnerships currently active in Europe. 

These include a five-year trial with hydrogen-powered VDL trucks to decarbonise Toyota’s logistics operations and stimulate the further development of sustainable hydrogen infrastructure across Europe. 

Since July 2021, Toyota cobrands fuel cell buses with its CaetanoBus partner while French clean mobility company GCK uses Toyota’s fuel cell modules to convert ten diesel coaches to zero tailpipe emission vehicles and provide transportation to over 5,000 visitors during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. 

A partnership with Corvus in Norway has realised one of the safest and most advanced marine fuel cell systems available. Furthermore, Toyota worked closely with Energy Observer to create the first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission boat to be self-sufficient in energy. 

Toyota fuel cells are also used for non-mobility applications, such as the modular fuel cells which form the basis of Toyota partner EODev’s GEH2 generators. In May 2021, those generators illuminated the Eifel Tower in Paris with green, sustainable light. 

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell development 

Building on its extensive experience, Toyota is developing its next-generation of hydrogen fuel cell, which is expected to deliver industry leading performance through longer lifecycles and reduced costs. 

Toyota has continued to refine the technology since 1992, and in 2015 the Mirai became the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell sedan, using Toyota’s first-generation fuel cells. Five years later, a new Mirai introduced the second generation of fuel cells, which extended the driving range by 30% to around 650 km. 

To expand the potential of hydrogen beyond cars, Toyota has repackaged its fuel cells into a compact modular form. The main components – the fuel cell stack and components that handle air supply, hydrogen supply, cooling, and power control – are integrated in a compact shape which can be easily adapted into a variety of products and applications. The modules are available in a box or a flat, rectangular format to allow greater flexibility and easier adaptation into new applications. 

These fuel cell modules are assembled locally in Europe, at TME’s R&D centre in Belgium, which houses an assembly line combining advanced technologies with high-quality assembly. The Hydrogen Factory Europe operation will produce an increasing number of fuel cell systems and is closely connected with Toyota’s other hydrogen operations to achieve global reach and service. 

A key element of Toyota’s plan for an expansion in hydrogen usage is the new, third-generation fuel cell technology currently under development, with sales scheduled for 2026-27. These units will deliver a higher power density and an expected 20% increase in driving range. Technical advances and increased production volumes can help to reduce costs by more than a third. 

Further research is also looking at the potential of scalable fuel cell stacks with different power outputs and design of fuel tanks with complex shapes, compatible with different size vehicles.

About the consortium members 

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) produces Corolla Hatchback, Touring Sports and Commercial models at its production centre in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and hybrid engines at its facility in Deeside North Wales. TMUK began production in 1992 as Toyota’s first fully owned manufacturing business in Europe and went on to become the company’s first location for hybrid electric vehicle manufacturing outside Japan. To date, Toyota has invested more than £2.75 billion in its UK manufacturing operations; TMUK currently employs more than 3,000 people and supports many further jobs in its extensive UK supplier network. 

Ricardo is a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy specialising in the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors. Ricardo has supported the technical integration of the fuel cell components into the Hilux chassis. 

ETL (European Thermodynamics) is committed to delivering high-integrity thermal solutions through excellence in design and innovation. ETL has studied reversible and multi fan arrangements. 

D2H Advanced Technologies provides high-technology engineering services in simulation, modelling, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and design for motorsport and other high-performance industries. D2H has completed CFD analysis to highlight where improvements could be made. 

Thatcham Research, the automotive risk intelligence company dedicated to understanding the opportunities and risks of new vehicle technology, supported the project through the provision of sustainable repair consultancy and the preparation of hydrogen training for the repair market. 

Vehicle specifications (tentative)

Toyota has strengthened every key aspect of the popular Yaris Cross, building on the qualities that have helped the compact SUV lift the 2022 World Urban Car title among many other awards during its first year on sale. 

The programme of enhancements for the model focuses on the primary purchase considerations for customers in the segment, ensuring the Yaris Cross strengthens its all-round buyer appeal. Since its introduction in 2021, it has quickly established itself as strong and highly competitive challenger in the fast-growing European B-SUV market and it is the sales leader in its class, the most competitive part of the B-segment market. Moreover, Yaris Cross has become Toyota’s best-selling model in Europe. 

Built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France, the new Yaris Cross sustains a reputation for ingenuity and innovation in packaging, powertrains and safety that the Yaris family has enjoyed since the first generation’s introduction 25 years ago. The new model is on sale now across Europe. 

The new Yaris Cross delivers stronger and more rewarding performance from an additional iteration of its hybrid powertrain; safer and easier driving with the latest Toyota T-Mate safety and driver assistance systems; a fully digital user experience; and styling details that enhance its modern urban character. Its introduction completes a full revision of Toyota’s small car line-up with new Aygo X and Yaris hatchback – each model benefiting from the quality of the company’s GA-B platform. 

Toyota expects non-battery electric vehicles to account for around 80% of the B-segment between 2024 and 2026, equivalent to around four million annual sales. Of the non-BEV power options, hybrid is now firmly customers’ preferred choice. With its all-round quality, versatility and unmatched breadth of hybrid powertrain choice, the new Yaris Cross is well positioned to maintain its segment leadership and deliver conquest sales. 

A DUAL HYBRID STRATEGY WITH THE NEW HYBRID 130 POWERTRAIN 

• New 130 DIN hp hybrid powertrain creates a dual hybrid strategy for the new Yaris Cross, offered alongside the established 116 DIN hp system 
• Powertrains named Hybrid 130 and Hybrid 115 
• Hybrid 130 uses elements of the latest, fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology, increasing efficiency, power and responsiveness 

The Yaris Cross follows the Yaris hatchback in adopting an additional, more powerful hybrid powertrain – the “Hybrid 130”. This “dual hybrid” strategy widens the model’s customer appeal, particularly to people who want a more compact vehicle, without forgoing power and performance. In the B-segment, around 50% of new customers are “downsizing” their choice of vehicle. 

The hybrid powertrain is the number one deciding factor for people choosing to buy Yaris Cross. They have more choice than ever before from the 100% hybrid line-up: two different powertrains (a unique-in-class offer) and front or intelligent all-wheel drive. 

In the new Hybrid 130, the established 1.5-litre full hybrid system has a new transaxle with a larger and more powerful electric motor-generator (MG1). This, together with adjustments to the power control unit (PCU), delivers a 12% increase in total system output, from 116 DIN hp/85 kW to 130 DIN hp/96 kW. At the same time, the MG2 motor’s torque has been increased across the entire rev band, with the maximum rising by 30% from 141 to 185 Nm. 

The result is faster acceleration, with the 0-100 km/h time reduced by half a second to 10.7 seconds and the 80-120 km/h overtaking benchmark brought down by 0.4 seconds to 8.9 seconds. Where CO2 emissions are concerned, the impact is modest: the new system achieves a best-in-class 101-116 g/km, while fuel economy is 4.5-5.2 l/100 km. This compares to figures for the Hybrid 115 of 101-115 g/km and 4.5-5.1 l/100 km. 

These statistics are only part of the story; equally significant is the impact on the driving experience. Engine, drive motor and hybrid battery performance have all been maximised. Along with a higher level of torque at all engine speeds, this gives the car a more dynamic and responsive feel with acceleration and deceleration performance that adds enjoyment to every drive, with more responsive performance on urban streets and confident overtaking acceleration on the open road. 

The Hybrid 115 system has built Yaris Cross’ reputation for exceptional efficiency (notably the model set a new record in the UK’s ‘What Car?’ magazine fuel economy testing). This quality remained a prime consideration in development of the new Hybrid 130. Its greater electric power allows for EV driving at higher speeds and it also allows the engine to operate in its high efficiency range more frequently, enhancing fuel economy. At the same time, there’s greater acceleration power and sharper response at low speeds. 

Further improvement of the engine’s thermal efficiency and reduced losses throughout the powertrain through precise control of every element mean less energy is used, CO2 emissions are reduced, and the vehicle’s driving range is improved. 

The increased output from the hybrid battery means the engine can operate at lower rpm at start-up and under acceleration. The increase in initial acceleration responsiveness means there is closer co-ordination between the rise in the engine’s revs and sound and the vehicle’s speed, significantly reducing the “rubber band” effect associated with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). 

NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR MORE EFFICIENT DRIVING 

The new hybrid tech features include a function that assists the car’s acceleration or deceleration in line with changes in the road gradient. This mitigates the need for additional pressure on the accelerator when driving uphill and provides downhill control, whereby the vehicle is slowed when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator. 

In addition, Predictive Efficient Drive learns driver behaviour and road and traffic conditions on routes programmed into the car’s cloud-based navigation system. This intelligence is used by the hybrid system to optimise battery charging and discharge control, in line with the road and traffic conditions. 

Predictive Deceleration Support collects driving behaviour data which is used to give on-screen indications of route locations – “deceleration support points” – where the driver can come off the throttle to increase fuel and power efficiency. When the accelerator is released, engine braking force is increased to higher than normal levels (‘extended regeneration control’), which also allows for more efficient battery charging. 

The other element in Predictive Efficient Drive is Predictive State of Charge (SOC) Control. This operates in two driving scenarios. First, Downhill SOC Control predicts long downhill route sections from map data and reduces the battery charge level in advance so that more energy can be recovered when descending the slopes. Second, Congestion SOC Control monitors traffic information and, when congestion ahead is indicated, maintains the battery’s charge level so that the vehicle can travel for longer in slow moving traffic without the engine having to be started. 

The new Hybrid 130 powertrain is featured in the high grade models, including the new Premiere Edition and GR SPORT. The line-up continues to offer the established 116 DIN hp/85 kW hybrid system, now known as the Hybrid 115. 

ALL-ROUND BENEFITS OF THE GA-B PLATFORM 

• Toyota’s GA-B small car platform is the foundation for the Yaris Cross’ agile and rewarding handling 
• Fundamental benefits of high body strength and rigidity with light weight and low centre of gravity 

The car’s agile, confidence-inspiring performance is further supported by the capability of its GA-B platform, the foundation for a new generation of small Toyota cars. 

It delivers the fundamental benefits of a low centre of gravity, with heavier components located low and close to the middle of the vehicle, and a highly rigid body. The result is a stable, composed drive, with reduced body roll and precise chassis response that’s faithful to the driver’s inputs. 

Rigidity is achieved without the penalty of added weight, thanks to advanced construction techniques and the use of strong but lightweight materials in key areas. 

A QUIETER DRIVE WITH IMPROVED NOISE AND VIBRATION PACKAGE 

• Noise and vibration reduction a key improvement, responding to customer feedback 
• Multiple measures adopted to counter road, wind and engine noise 
• Performance benchmarked against the Yaris Cross’ leading segment competitors 

The new Yaris Cross benefits from a range of additional measures to reduce noise and vibration. Responding to customer feedback, the new Yaris Cross was benchmarked against its principal competitors to manage road, engine and wind noise and raise performance to equal class-leading levels. 

Where engine noise is concerned, four key areas have been the focus for improvement: a dynamic damper has been added to the left-side engine mount; a resonator has been fitted to the intake hose; the inner dash silencer has been changed from a single layer to a three-layer construction; and an extra layer of felt has been added to the cowl top silencer. 

To combat wind and road noise, thicker glass is used for the windscreen as well as front and rear side windows on all new Yaris Cross models. 

A FULLY DIGITAL USER EXPERIENCE 

• 12.3-inch digital driver’s combimeter with customisable display on higher grade models 
• Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system with cloud-based navigation 
•  Smart digital key coming later in 2024 

Access to information, connectivity and entertainment has been transformed with the introduction of a completely new digital user experience. This includes both a driver’s instrument display that can be configured and customised to suit the driver’s preference, and a multimedia system that’s more powerful, quicker to respond and offers a wider range of functions. The displays are class-leading in size: seven or 12.3-inch for the driver’s combimeter, and nine or 10.5-inch for the multimedia touchscreen, depending on grade. 

The 12.3-inch combimeter presents dials, information and graphics in sharp definition for good visibility in all light levels. 

The driver can customise the display’s appearance to suit their mood or the type of journey with four style options: Smart, Casual, Sporty and Tough. There’s a further choice of two, one or no dials to create 12 layouts in all, plus a change in background colour according to the drive mode selected – Normal, ECO or Sport. 

A digital speedometer and the shift position indicator are centrally positioned in all configurations. Multi-information displays (MID) are positioned centre, left and right; the central section presents important data, such as advanced safety system status; those to either side present details such as journey data, fuel consumption and audio. 

The driver can view combinations for the three pages in each MID with ease using control switches on the steering wheel. They can also customise the information on each page on the left and right displays; the centre display content is fixed. 

According to model grade, a head-up display is also available, giving the driver even more direct access to key driving information. 

The seven-inch version is standard on Mid and Mid+ grades; the 12.3-inch is featured on high grade, GR SPORT and Premiere Edition models. 

TOYOTA SMART CONNECT

The Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system is designed for easy, intuitive use with quicker response to inputs thanks to increased computing power. Its functions include cloud-based navigation as standard, an “always connected” system that accesses up-to-the-moment information on routes, traffic, and delays for better journey planning. 

The system has an enhanced, more responsive voice recognition system and an on-board “Hey Toyota” voice agent that can recognise natural, conversational language and requests. For example, say “Hey Toyota, I’m cold” and the system will automatically raise the climate control temperature. 

Easy connectivity is designed-in, with wireless smartphone integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The preference profiles of up to three different users can be stored on the system, automatically applying the user’s favoured audio and navigation settings. Using the MyToyota app, the owner can also store their setting at their chosen Toyota Centre and access on any other vehicle they use that’s equipped with same multimedia system. 

EASY ACCESS WITH SMART DIGITAL KEY 

Later in 2024, The Yaris Cross will join the new Yaris hatchback in offering owners the convenience and security of a Smart Digital Key. Linked to the MyToyota app, this will give up to five users access to the vehicle using their smartphone. The digital key can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle – with no need for the phone to be taken out of the user’s bag or pocket. 

The key is compatible with Apple and Android devices and is provided as standard on the Premiere Edition. One year’s connection is included in the car’s purchase price. 

The MyToyota app provides other useful functions, including remote locking/unlocking, pre-journey climate control operation and activation of the hazard lights to help locate vehicle – for example, in a busy car park. 

SAFER, LESS STRESSFUL DRIVING WITH COMPREHENSIVE TOYOTA T-MATE FEATURES 

• Safer, easier driving with latest Toyota T-Mate features 
• New and extended Toyota Safety Sense functions 

Toyota set out to make the Yaris Cross the safest car of its size, equipping it with a wealth of active and passive safety provisions and features that can take much of the familiar stress out of driving. The Yaris Cross has benefited from the same wide-ranging Toyota T-Mate package. 

Toyota T-Mate is the umbrella term for advanced features that make a car safer and easier to drive and park. In the new Yaris Cross, these have been enhanced and extended to be more effective than ever, including the introduction of the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense systems. These features, often extra-cost options or simply not available on other B-SUV models, are provided as standard throughout the Yaris Cross range. 

Adjustment of the safety and driving assistance features is made simple, using the control switches on the steering wheel. For example, these can be used to engage the Lane Trace Assist and adjust the distance settings for the dynamic radar cruise control. 

The table below provides an overview of the breadth of Toyota Safety Sense features and the latest additions and enhancements, available in the new Yaris Cross range.

Using a new camera and radar system which can scan further and wider than before, there’s increased scope for detecting accident risks. For example, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can now recognise a potential head-on impact, crossing vehicles and a wide range of objects and vehicles in the car’s path, including pedestrians, cyclists and now also motorcycles. 

Acceleration Suppression is a new addition to the PCS functions. When driving at low speeds, this intervenes to slow any sudden acceleration when it recognises there’s the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead. 

The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) has been revised to respond more quickly and operate with a more natural feel. For example, when another vehicle moves into the car’s lane, deceleration is more gradual. The vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings have been extended so the driver has more choice to suit their preference, and the system’s curve speed reduction is activated earlier, giving smoother speed control. 

The DRCC also has new turn signal-linked control and deceleration assist that supports smooth overtaking and rejoining of the traffic lane, at a safe speed and distance from other vehicles. 

The driver’s forward vision in night-time driving is improved with the first availability of an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) on the Yaris Cross. This option integrates LED low and high beam operation for more precisely tuned control of the forward lighting, maximising illumination while automatically avoiding the risk of dazzling oncoming drivers. 

Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is another new feature, designed to help avoid familiar accident hazards when driving at low speed. It has three elements: obstacle anticipation assist, deceleration assist and steering assist. 

Obstacle anticipation assist is activated when the system detects obstacles ahead that could be a collision risks, such as pedestrians crossing or close to the side of the road, cyclists or parked cars. It provides steering and braking assistance to help the driver safely manoeuvre past the hazard. 

Deceleration Assist provides smooth deceleration when the driver releases the accelerator to slow down when approaching a slower vehicle ahead, or entering a bend. Steering Assist recognises a bend in the road ahead and adjusts steering force to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn. 

The new Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) is able to support the driver, should they be taken ill or incapacitated. If it detects the driver has made no inputs – steering, braking, accelerating – over a certain amount of time, it will sound a warning. If there is no reaction from the driver, it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors. 

The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) now recognises when the driver has moved out of lane while trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancels its warning function. The lane-centring function of the Lane Trace Assist (LTA) has been adjusted so that its performance has a more natural feel – for example, it will follow an offset driving path to avoid passing close to parked vehicles. 

The Road Sign Assist has been enhanced so just a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter is all that’s required to match traffic sign information. The vehicle’s speed limiter can also now be linked to the RSA to help ensure conformity with changes in speed restrictions. 

Toyota T-Mate also provides protection when the car is stationary, with the optional Safe Exit Assist (SEA), a visual and audible warning system helps guard against a door being inadvertently opened into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching from the rear. And the Rear Seat Reminder System (RSRS) will alert the driver with visual and sound warnings if they have left a child or pet on the back seat, helping avoid the risk of “hot car” incidents. 

ADDED STYLE WITH NEW PREMIERE EDITION 

• Limited edition top of the range model introducing the new Yaris Cross 
• Ultimate specification and exclusive Urban Khaki paint finish 

The Yaris Cross’ cool contemporary styling has resonated strongly with customers since launch, capturing the stance and image of an SUV in a car that’s compact and manoeuvrable on urban streets. Its visual appeal is enhanced in a new halo model for the range, the Premiere Edition. 

This is offered in an exclusive new Urban Khaki paint finish in a bi-tone execution and with exclusive new 18-inch dark grey/machined five-spoke alloy wheels that enhance the dynamic, rugged look. Inside, upholstery stitching and deco lines on the instrument panel and doors match the green body colour. Platinum Pearl White and Silver Metallic bi-tone options are also available. 

Interior seat upholstery has also been refreshed with a new pattern and a soft lower instrument panel covering has been introduced on all grades. A new Juniper Blue paint option is available across the range. 

YARIS CROSS GR SPORT 

The Yaris Cross line-up also features a GR SPORT grade, inspired by Toyota Gazoo Racing’s motorsports successes. 

The Yaris Cross GR SPORT has a sportier look, with dedicated 18'' dark grey alloy wheels, bespoke sporty seats with red stitching, and GR and GR SPORT badges both on the outside and inside of the car. Also, suspensions have been tuned for a more engaging drive. 

 

The qualifying round will start with the Virtual GR86/BRZ Cup (round partner: SUBARU). Round 2 will feature a race with HEVs, one of the diverse options in the multi-pathway approach. The Prius, the world's first mass-produced HEV and a driving force behind their popularization, will make its first appearance in this competition. Round 7 will bring together a variety of vehicles beyond the boundaries of manufacturers, including TGR’s LEXUS RC F GT3, which is making its first appearance in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Look forward to a unique and exciting qualifying round that can only be experienced at the TGR GT Cup.

In addition, all users who enter the event will receive a GR010 HYBRID with the 2024 matte black color scheme. Please enjoy experiencing this continuously evolving vehicle at the TGR GT Cup as TGR strives to make ever-better motorsports-bred cars.

Continuing from last year, the structure of the competition will use a league system according to the skill level of the drivers in order to make it easy for everyone, even beginners, to participate. The top-level GT1 League will be followed by two leagues: GT2 and GT3. Please check the times listed in the in-game news in Gran Turismo 7 as race times differ depending on the league.

TGR plans to continue an active engagement in e-Motorsports activities so that motorsports can be enjoyed closer than ever before beyond the boundaries of countries and generations.

The outline of the competition for participants aged 17 or younger in Japan will be announced at a later date.

^*1　“PlayStation”, “PS5”, and “PS4” are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Gran Turismo 7: © 2024 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc.

Manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game in some cases include trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Any depiction or recreation of real world locations, entities, businesses, or organizations is not intended to be or imply any sponsorship or endorsement of this game by such party or parties. "Gran Turismo" logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
^*2 Automobile manufacturers coming together to shape the future of cars and motorsports beyond the boundaries of manufacturers.

Outline of TGR GT Cup 2024

^*3　Under the laws of the participating countries or regions, even if participants are in the top qualifying rounds online, they may not be able to participate in the final.

Schedule   

※     Schedule and course are subject to change.

Outline of the TGR GT Cup 2024 Final　

*⁴Drivers selected from TGR’s regional finals

Official Partners

 

Detailed information including the circuits to be used in each round will be published in due course on the TGR GT Cup section of the TGR official website.

URL：https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/e-motorsports/

Also, entries for each race will open 15 minutes before the start of each race at “sports mode” of the “Gran Turismo 7”.

Press Release

URL: https://toyotagazooracing.com/pressrelease/

Pictures will be uploaded here

URL: https://toyotagazooracing.com/media/

Today more than ever, the Land Cruiser is designed to be a vehicle you can rely on to take you anywhere and everywhere, and bring you back safe and sound.

The Land Cruiser family has evolved down the years into three parallel series:

- The Station Wagon: represented by today’s 300 Series, which is available in world regions including Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

- The Heavy Duty: the world famous 70-series which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary, available in African, Middle Eastern and Pacific markets.

- The Light Duty: the range that includes the all-new 250-series, the principal model for Europe.

The first Light Duty model (also known as the “Prado” in some regions) joined the global Land Cruiser range in 1985. Since that time, its evolution has seen it move closer in character to the more luxurious and larger Land Cruiser 300. Development of the 2024 250-series model has seen a conscious decision to bring the Land Cruiser back to its origins, focusing on its fundamental quality as a practical and affordable vehicle.

Chief Engineer Keita Moritsu explains: “We have changed our perception and believe that this Land Cruiser model should be offered as a practical and affordable off-roader. We resolved that going back to our roots would be core to the Land Cruiser brand going forward.”

The result is an all-new model that offers strong, authentic off-road performance, underpinned by its new GA-F platform and frame; excellent functionality for carrying passengers and cargo; enhanced visibility for the driver; and simplicity, with parts designed to be easy to repair or replace with customised items.

The “back to origins” quality is also evident in the vehicle design, which fuses Land Cruiser heritage with modernity. The robust styling projects reliability, a timeless look and the kind of functional solid quality associated with the best professional tools.

“This is not simply a homage,” says Chief Designer Yoshito Watanabe. “It interprets these elements in a modern design that evokes the essence of Land Cruiser.”

THE LAND CRUISER HERITAGE

The Land Cruiser was born 72 years ago as the “Toyota BJ”, on August 1, 1951. Shortly afterwards it demonstrated its strength and capabilities by becoming the first vehicle to successfully climb to the sixth station on the slopes of Mount Fuji.

Ever since, Toyota’s mission for Land Cruiser has been to provide people with a vehicle that will take them to their destination in safety and security, even in the harshest environments. The different experiences of customers around the world have proved invaluable in evolving the Land Cruiser’s essential strengths of reliability, durability and the ability to tackle rough road conditions.

It’s perhaps no surprise that its enduring worldwide reputation has made it one of Toyota’s best-selling models, with 11.3 million sales to date*, across more than 170 countries and regions.
*As of June 2023, cumulative and annual sales volumes include the Lexus LX and Lexus GX models.

DESIGN: TRADITION BLENDED WITH MODERNITY

• Design expresses authentic off-roader performance in a fusion of heritage and modernity
• Silhouette and vehicle proportions reference Land Cruiser’s design heritage
• Measures adopted to secure excellent view for the driver, including a bonnet with raised corners and lowered central section
• Powerful frontal design with classic TOYOTA emblem
• Body shaped to help avoid damage in harsh conditions; parts designed to be easily replaced
• Interior presents a functional yet high-quality design with customisable digital instrument display and latest Toyota multimedia package
• Seating for up to seven on board, with generous load space provision

Exterior

The design of the new Land Cruiser is a clear expression of the vehicle’s status as a fully fledged off-roader that’s inherently strong and stable.

Its essential reliability is reflected in the shape and composition of parts designed to cope with harsh conditions and be easy to replace if damage occurs. There’s a timelessness, too, in design simplicity that expresses quality and will not look out-of-date, and a sense of professionalism in the form-follows-function design of the kind found in top-quality professional tools.

Brought together, these elements create a fusion of heritage and modernity: this is a Land Cruiser that is rooted in its origins, yet meets the highest contemporary standards.

The classic Land Cruiser silhouette references the definitive lines of the early Land Cruiser models (the 40 and 70 Series Land Cruisers are clear influences) with a strong horizontal axis, a long bonnet, upright windscreen, a short front overhang and distinctive trapezoidal wheel arches. The proportions are also true to Land Cruiser’s design heritage, with a tight, box-shaped cabin set behind the car’s vertical axis to gain both interior space and comfort. The car’s overall length is 4,925 mm, width 1,980 mm and height 1,935 mm; the wheelbase is 2,850 mm.

The configuration and proportions of the frontal elements create a classic Land Cruiser look. Functional parts are grouped together towards the centre with high-set headlights to help avoid damage in tough driving conditions. The sense of purpose is further emphasised by the restoration of the classic TOYOTA logo front centre and at the rear above the licence plate garnish. Practicality is designed-in with bumper corners that are easy to replace if damaged.

The standard headlight options are a slim oblong triple-eye arrangement of LEDs or a classic round-eye projector bi-LED alongside vertically arranged turn indicator and daytime running lights. Again, with a view to avoiding damage, the front fog lights are deeply recessed in the bumper corners; the front and rear corners are chamfered (which also aids manoeuvrability); and the lower door sections have a scraped, concave surface.

Giving the driver the best view ahead and to the side was a design priority. This produced a bonnet shape with raised sides which make it easier to locate the vehicle’s corners, and a lowered centre section that improves the forward view, reducing the blind spot immediately in front of the vehicle. To improve the view to the side, the A pillar is set at a more upright angle, the mirrors are attached to the doors and the belt line has been stepped down – a reference to the classic Toyota BJ70 – by about 30 mm compared to the current model.

The bodywork displays contrasting sharp hard and glossy curved surfaces for a simple, modern look with a sense of tension and high precision. The overall effect is of the Land Cruiser having been carved from a single lump of pure metal. The car’s wide stance, flared front and rear wings and the tight body shape combine to emphasise stable performance.

At the rear, the lights are again tightly grouped in vertically stacked combi-units.

According to model grade, the new Land Cruiser will feature 18 or 20-inch alloy wheels with new designs. The numerous colour options will include heritage Smoky Blue and Sand shades combined with a light grey roof. A wide range of body accessories will give customers the chance to tailor their vehicle to suit their requirements, including roof rails, side steps and an opening rear hatch.

Aerodynamic detailing

The distinctive exterior design incorporates a series of details to enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance.

Features to help reduce air resistance include a shutter in the upper grille which closes at high speeds to inhibit the flow of air into the engine compartment, reducing air resistance and lift force. Spats are fitted ahead of the front wheels, reducing the airflow striking the tyres and directing air to help cool the brake discs. The spats are deformable, so can withstand rough road driving.

Other measures include a reduction in the difference between the levels of the front pillars and the rain gutters and precise calculation of the door mirror sweep-back angle and housing profile to suppress turbulence. Side door mouldings have been added to rectify airflow along the side of the vehicle and a rear spoiler helps manage airflow away from the back of the vehicle and reduce lift force.

Interior design

The interior design expresses a safe, functional look suitable for off-road driving with an emphasis on durability, high quality and measures to reduce fatigue.

The instrument panel and upper door mouldings have strong horizontal lines that make it easy to grasp the vehicle’s orientation in challenging conditions and make for an open cabin environment with excellent outward view for everyone on board. The panel’s cross-section is lowered in front of the front passenger, enhancing the open feel.

Information sources – the driver’s instrument combimeter and multimedia display are set high for easy visibility and there is a wide console area – a Land Cruiser characteristic – that keeps driving controls close at hand for quick and intuitive operation. The digital instrument display (9 or 12.3-inch according to equipment grade) presents meters and data with sharp graphics that are clear to read in all lighting conditions. The multimedia system is accessed via high-definition touchscreen (eight or 12.3-inch). The package includes cloud-based navigation that benefits from up-to-the-moment traffic information and the “Hey Toyota” assistant for voice command control of multiple functions and systems.

The physical shape of the switches and their operating methods have been unified – simple toggle or push controls – so the driver can operate them easily without having to look away from the wheel or change their posture.  Professional rally drivers were consulted on the design of the combination of dial selector and push switch used for vehicle system functions such as the Multi-Terrain Select.

Knee pads and padded door shoulders provide protection when the going gets tough and the top of the door panel has a scooped profile so the driver has space for free elbow movement. The new steering wheel design reflects the solid, stable exterior styling, with wide spoke openings to help prevent fingers being injured in the event of steering kickback. The centre pad displays the classic TOYOTA logo, with function switches rationally organised on the left and right sections of the centre spokes.

A sense of precision and quality is expressed in the co-ordinated design of control switches and details such as the serrated patterns around the air vents and mode selector, the matching of thick upholstery materials with rope-like piping and trim parts that have the look of machined metal.

Throughout, there is a unified look to the interior, with consistent material quality, feel and appearance, communicating a strong character. Functional areas are flat and hard; touch points are soft and thickly covered with a sense of volume. Digital design techniques were used to combine different parts into a single unit, for example incorporating the combimeter and centre display within the large instrument panel so there is less segmentation.

A new, simplified headlining shape increases the sense of space, with options for an opening sunroof or a large, fixed panoramic roof that extends above the second-row seats.

Seating and upholsteries

The new Land Cruiser range offers both five and seven-seat interiors. The front seats have a new design to provide strong support when driving off-road and are available with power adjustment. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is available with a (manually) extending cushion that provides an extra 50 mm of thigh support. Its design avoids opening a groove between the extension and the main cushion for seamless support.

The new front seats have thinner seatbacks, improving leg and knee room for rear seat passengers, and are available with integrated heating and ventilation. Thicker urethane cushions disperse pressure over a wider area of the occupant’s body and are shaped to promote the optimum pelvis angle, reducing the load on the waist and muscles. The cushion sits on a hard lower layer, a construction that helps prevent the occupant’s posture collapsing when turning or changing lanes. The side bolsters project further, helping keep the body in place when horizontal forces are experienced, as when driving over rough surfaces.

The second-row seats are offered in a bench arrangement that divides 60:40, and on the seven-seat model the third row comprises two seats that can be folded flat manually or with power control.

The upholstery choices include genuine and synthetic leathers and the first use of SUMITEX, a new, hard-wearing fabric made with a strong yarn produced from recycled PET plastic from Toyota facilities in Japan.

Load space

In the new five-seat Land Cruiser the flat-floor load space is longer and wider than in the current model; in the seven-seat version the width is greater, but the length is unchanged when the third-row seats are in use.

In the seven-seater there is space behind the third-row seats for two 55 cm suitcases. With the third row folded, there is room enough for three 86 cm cases plus one 81 cm and one 69 cm. In the five-seat model the space is slightly larger, accommodating a 75 cm case in place of the 69 cm bag.

The new Land Cruiser also gets a top-hanged rear door as standard, improving the ease of access with the availability of power back door operation and an independently opening glass hatch.

POWERTRAIN RESPONSE, CONTROL AND EFFICIENCY

• 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine with 204 DIN hp/ 150 kW, re-engineered for driveability and efficiency
• New eight-speed automatic transmission
• 48V mild hybrid electric model to join the Land Cruiser 250 range during 2025
• Permanent all-wheel drive

Advances in engine response and driveability

In Western Europe, the new Land Cruiser is being introduced with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine re-engineered for improved driveability and a stronger balance of fuel efficiency and performance.

The 2,755 cc in-line four-cylinder DOHC direct injection multivalve unit produces a maximum 204 DIN hp/150 kW at 3,000 rpm and is matched to a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. With maximum torque of 500 Nm generated between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm, it has the muscle to tow loads of up to 3,500 kg.

Development of the new unit made acceleration control a priority, with performance that is faithful to the driver’s intentions, whether on road or off, driving city streets or on the open highway. The intention was that driving feel should be direct, like that experienced with a manual transmission. To help focus their work, the engineering team gathered knowledge from development of the Land Cruiser 300 and quality, durability and reliability intelligence from the current Land Cruiser Prado. Customer feedback about how the vehicle is used day-to-day was also analysed.

This helped produce advances in acceleration performance and driveability; improvements in noise and vibration levels; and enhanced handling in severe conditions. The powertrain is engineered to provide linear acceleration with a strong initial response, while the lock-up function in the eight-speed automatic transmission suppresses surges in engine revs.

A redesigned and more efficient turbocharger is key to the enhanced torque response, with the introduction of impeller with compact blades and a reduction in the unit’s diameter, A new belt layout makes space for the new electric power steering system (see below) and the adoption of a higher output (200A) alternator to ably support customer auxiliary power requirements.

Measures to address environmental performance include an increase in the efficiency of the SCR catalyst and an enlarged, 17-litre urea tank.

New eight-speed automatic transmission

The powertrain features a new eight-speed automatic transmission designed to enhance driving performance and fuel economy and offering quiet performance. With closer gear ratios, a new, compact torque converter and optimised components, the transmission delivers precise lock-up control, rhythmic shifting and a smooth acceleration feel.

The torque converter features a multi-plate lock-up clutch with an expanded range, contributing to the direct drive feel and overall fuel economy. Lock-up control can be implemented from low speeds, adding to the quality of the drive feel.

The unit also benefits from a new dynamic damper structure to help reduce torque fluctuations to the drive shaft.  Both the torque converter and damper structure have been revised to reduce size and save weight.

The compact and lightweight gear train provides both efficiency and durability. Close gear ratios are used at higher vehicle speeds with consistent, small changes in engine rpm when shifting in the high range to produce a rhythmic feel. The first gear ratio has been lowered to improve start-off acceleration and off-road performance, while eighth gear has an increased ratio for quieter high-speed cruising at lower engine revs, with enhanced fuel economy.

Shifting response is enhanced by 25% with the adoption of a new linear solenoid that is 29% lighter than the previous unit, compared to the current six-speed automatic. Quieter performance and fuel economy are supported by a smaller-diameter oil pump.

Future 48V mild hybrid electric system

Toyota will introduce a mild hybrid electric version of the Land Cruiser in Europe in 2025, combining the 2.8-litre diesel engine with a 48V electric motor-generator, a compact 48V lithium-ion battery and a stop-start system. This will enhance the drivability, giving a smoother and quieter, yet more responsive performance while maintaining its ability to withstand tough driving conditions.

Permanent all-wheel drive

The driveline for the Land Cruiser’s permanent all-wheel drive features a revised propeller shaft structure designed for durability and quieter performance. Changes have also been made to the differentials: the centre unit has been revised for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency; the rear diff has been strengthened for added reliability. Both are turned to achieve the best balance of off-road traction and on-road stability.

The differential locking system has been changed from a motor to a solenoid type, giving 85% quicker response (around 0.15 sec) should the vehicle become stranded.

The transfer unit has also been updated for improved durability, an increase in actuator motor torque and anti-corrosion performance. A new toggle switch for selecting the H4 or L4 ranges and new diff lock switches are located on the centre console, next to the shift lever.

ON AND OFF-ROAD STABILITY, CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE

• Handling capabilities designed-in to ensure highest levels of off-road performance
• Composed, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre on-road
• New GA-F body-on-frame provides essential strength and rigidity
• First Land Cruiser to adopt electric power steering
• World-first Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism to unlock front anti-roll bar and gain increased wheel articulation
• Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor help the driver negotiate challenging conditions

The essential quality of the Land Cruiser as a vehicle that can “take you anywhere and everywhere and bring you back safe and sound” includes the ability to tackle challenging off-road conditions. In taking the model back to its origins, Toyota has ensured that the vehicle has the fundamental, built-in strength to deliver on this promise, rather than relying on sophisticated technologies.

At the same time, easy manoeuvrability was a key consideration: beyond its off-road strengths, this is a vehicle that is simple in concept and composed and comfortable to drive for everyone in everyday use. Visibility is good, switchgear is simple to understand and intuitive to use and vehicle responses are prompt and faithful to the driver’s intentions.

Extreme testing

The development programme tested the new model to the limits of its endurance. Toyota constructed a new off-road test track – the daunting Course F at the Shibetsu proving ground in Japan – faithfully reproducing a range of the most challenging driving conditions from around the world.

The course’s design includes slopes, muddy tracks, rocky roads and mogul landscapes, each placing different demands on the vehicle. Using this facility not only helped confirm and enhance the new Land Cruiser’s off-road performance, “one step above” the current model, it also helped refine its suitability for everyday use and its functionality.

Extensive testing has also taken place in the Middle East and Australia.

Capability founded on new GA-F platform and frame

The Land Cruiser’s authentic off-road character is reflected in its retention of a body-on-frame construction, but its capability moves a step above the current model. The foundation for its performance is the new GA-F platform and frame, as also featured in the new Land Cruiser 300.

This gives the vehicle structure significantly greater strength and rigidity, achieved through a combination of focused construction techniques. The new model has 84 extra short-pitch weld points around the side doors and lower rocker edges and, for the first time, uses structural adhesive (a total of 11.9 m) to enhance rigidity where sheet metal parts meet. Tailor-welded blanks have been introduced in the side rails and crossmember in place of reinforcements, maintaining rigidity while saving weight. Thick sheet steel and high-tensile materials are used in strategic locations throughout the frame to ensure robust strength.

Overall the torsional rigidity of the frame has increased by 50%, while that of the frame and body combined has risen by 30%. The result is a vehicle that responds and moves just as the driver intends.

First Land Cruiser with electric power steering

The new Land Cruiser is the first Land Cruiser model to be fitted with an electric power steering system (EPS).

Compared to a hydraulic system, this reduces the amount of kickback that can occur when driving over rough surfaces and provides smoother, more direct steering and easier manoeuvrability at all speeds. Using EPS also allows the new Land Cruiser to feature Lane Tracing Assist as part of its Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance package.

The rack-and-pinion system also saves energy, with electric power used only when required – i.e. not when idling or in straight-line driving.

To help communicate good feedback to the driver, steering column rigidity has been enhanced and the steering shaft and tube have been enlarged.

New braking system

The new electronically controlled braking system has been designed for improved feel and performance that matches the driver’s intentions. Control, performance and rigidity have been optimised to produce a natural and linear braking feel.

An on-demand pressure system provided by a general purpose VSC unit operates in addition to a conventional pressure system, enhancing the braking feel. Co-operative braking control combines the hydraulic braking force with regenerative braking force from the motor; maximising the use of regenerative braking force contributes to fuel economy.

Disc brakes are used: 340 mm diameter at the front; 335 mm at the rear. An electronic parking brake operates on the rear wheels.

Downhill Assist Control (DAC) can be used to automatically provide stable braking without wheel-lock while maintaining a low vehicle speed when negotiating steep descents. The system has been developed so that it can be used as a cruise control function at speeds between 4 and 30 km/h in the vehicle’s H4 and L4 range.

Crawl Control

The Land Cruiser’s Crawl Control can be used to maintain a low speed in off-road/downhill driving. It controls the engine torque and brake pressure, avoiding wheelspin and wheel-locking and allowing the driver to focus on the steering.

Crawl Control operates in the L4 transfer mode. The driver can select the appropriate speed using the dial selector on the console. There are five different speed settings appropriate for a wide range of different driving surfaces and inclines.

Suspension

The front suspension features a new independent double wishbone system with extended stroke to gain high road-holding performance and off-road capability. It’s constructed from high-strength, lightweight components for durable, reliable performance.

A stable drive is supported by an increased caster trail while stability under braking is enhanced by a reduction in the kingpin offset angle and increase in the anti-dive angle.

At the rear the four-link rigid axle benefits from detailed revisions to achieve smoother, more linear performance while saving weight and enhancing reliability. The anti-roll bar is made from a new material that is both lighter and more rigid, while further weight is saved with a thinner axle cross-section and optimised bracket wall thickness – a design that also strengthens reliability. An increase in the anti-lift angle helps prevent rear-wheel lift. The entire geometry has been optimised so that the movement of each link is smooth and linear, helping secure a comfortable ride.

Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism

The new Land Cruiser is the first Toyota to use a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), which has the dual benefits of enhancing off-road performance and a more comfortable ride on standard roads.

Using a switch on the centre console, the driver can unlock the front anti-roll bar (stabiliser), increasing suspension travel. Travelling at low speeds on rough, rocky surfaces the extended wheel articulation helps keep all four wheels in contact with the ground, making the vehicle easier to manoeuvre. In standard form, the new Land Cruiser has 10% greater wheel articulation compared to the current model; when the SDM is engaged, this increases by a further 10%.

With the suspension able to elongate and contract freely, roll rigidity is reduced and body movement in all directions is suppressed, making for a more comfortable ride for all passengers on very rough terrain. When vehicle speed increases, the anti-roll bar will automatically be re-locked.

Multi-Terrain Select

The Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) adjusts the vehicle’s steering, drive force and hydraulic brake control to meet the demands of different off-road driving scenarios. The system now provides an additional Auto mode so the driver doesn’t have to alter the setting as conditions change and it can also be used when the car is in the high transfer mode as well as low.

MTS is simple to engage, using the powertrain control switch and multi-function dial selector on the centre console. In the low transfer mode the options are Mud, Sand, Rock and Auto; in high mode the choice is Mud, Sand, Dirt, Deep Snow and Auto.

Panoramic View Monitor/Multi-Terrain Monitor

The Land Cruiser’s Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) provides a complete view of the area immediately around and, using a Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) function, beneath the vehicle to help with precise manoeuvring on challenging terrain. The driver can switch between four cameras to check blind spots; the camera feeds can also be combined to create a composite image. The Under Vehicle Terrain View shows the position of the rear wheels and the driving surface. New MTM options include back underfloor view with guidelines showing the vehicle and tyre positions. The images in the display screen can be expanded using touch controls to gain an even more detailed view.

The PVM can be used at speeds up to 12 km/h and, for the first time in a Land Cruiser, can be activated using voice command as well as a console switch. A rear camera washer is available to help maintain a clear image.

QUIETNESS, COMFORT AND SAFETY

• Extensive noise and vibration countermeasures through the vehicle
• Focus on comfort with pitch control, new engine mount design and cushion mounts between the body and frame
• Comprehensive Toyota Teammate safety and driver assistance features, including latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense

The new Land Cruiser may be engineered to take extreme conditions in its stride, but that does not mean on-board quietness and comfort have been sacrificed. Extensive measures have been taken to avoid and counteract noise and vibration.

Vehicle development minimised the number of points where sound can enter the cabin and produced a body on frame design that is less prone to generating noise. Similarly, noise sources were identified and reduced.

Countermeasures include enhanced body sealing, for example at the base of the front and centre pillars, and gap sealing around the door apertures. Sound-absorbing material has been added to the air intake system and the wheel arch liners and even the tyre tread patterns have been calculated to reduce noise generation.

Compared to the current model, there is a thicker dash silencer with an intermediate layer, covering a larger area. Damping material has also been added to the vehicle floor. The higher rigidity of the new GA-F body and frame is also effective in dispersing the resonance of each part, damping vibration.

Further measures contribute to securing a comfortable ride, including the increase in rigidity in the new GA-F platform and frame. Further gains have been made with the use of a pitch control system to maintain a smooth ride; a new engine mount design; cushion mounts between the body and frame; and direct connection of the seat frames to the vehicle body, rather than to an intermediate bracket.

Comprehensive safety features

The new Land Cruiser 250’s robust construction provides essentially strong protection in the event of an impact. But beyond its basic strength, it benefits from comprehensive Toyota Teammate provisions to help prevent accidents from happening and providing protection for everyone on board should an impact be unavoidable.

The package includes the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense, with enhanced hardware that increases the scope of accident risk detection. Elements new to Land Cruiser include extension of the Pre-Collision System to include Intersection Collision Avoidance Support; Acceleration Suppression, which reacts to sudden use of the throttle in low-speed driving; and Emergency Steering Assist. Proactive Driving Assist gives further support at low speeds, detecting hazards such as parked vehicles and pedestrians in the roadway and supporting smooth steering and deceleration when approaching a preceding vehicle or driving through a bend.

Other new features include an Emergency Driving Stop System. When Lane Tracing Assist is engaged, this detects when the driver has stopped making steering, braking and throttle inputs over a period of time and issues an alert. If there is still no response, it brings the vehicle to a smooth stop and activates the hazard lights. Safe Exit Assist warns if there is a risk of a door being opened into the path of a vehicle or cycle approaching from the rear.

The Toyota Safety Sense systems can be kept up-to-date with software upgrades delivered over-the-air, avoiding the need for the vehicle to be taken to a service centre. 

With sales of almost 900,000 in Europe since its 2017 introduction, the original Toyota C-HR was a breakthrough model for Toyota, bringing the brand to a style-conscious audience thanks to its unconventional design inside and out, fun to drive character and superior quality.

The new Toyota C-HR takes this legacy further and combines stand-out styling, an engaging drive and class-leading efficiency, with a focus on exceeding European customer expectations of premium quality and sustainability.

The iconic coupe silhouette pioneered by its predecessor is further emphasised for the new Toyota C-HR by a wider, more confident stance, enhanced by imposing 20-inch wheels on the Plug-in Hybrid 220, and a heightened level of sophisticated design execution.

A holistic and personalised user experience puts the customer at the heart of the vehicle and takes the Toyota C-HR’s renowned sensory quality to greater heights thanks to a comprehensive upgrade of materials combined with premium details and features.

The new Toyota C-HR has been developed specifically for the expectations of European customers through its local design, engineering and production, exploiting innovative developments, including real-time data from drivers across the continent.

All versions of the new Toyota C-HR, including the Plug-in Hybrid 220, benefit from Toyota’s latest, fifth-generation hybrid technology and a comprehensive upgrade to the vehicle dynamics, achieving driving excitement and a confident, quiet ride.

In Plug-in Hybrid 220 specification, the new Toyota C-HR delivers the effortless, smooth driving of a true electric vehicle (EV), with a range of up to 66 km (WLTP combined) which allows for all-electric daily driving, based on the typical needs of European customers.

Expressing a dual DNA, the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220 switches automatically to hybrid mode when the battery is depleted, giving drivers the reassurance and flexibility of Toyota’s class-leading hybrid technology, which ensures continuous efficiency throughout every journey.

Alongside the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220 are three hybrid electric powertrains, emphasising Toyota’s inclusive multi-technology path to carbon neutrality. Toyota believes customers need a variety of options for affordable and practical vehicles to accelerate the pace of CO₂ reduction today and ensure a successful transition to zero emission mobility in the future.

The ultra-efficient Hybrid 140 has a 1.8 litre engine and 140 DIN hp while, for customers wanting an even more exciting driving experience, the Hybrid 200 combines power and efficiency from a 2.0-litre engine with 197 DIN hp and 190Nm torque.  A Hybrid 200 AWD-i option adds true all-wheel-drive confidence and safety. As well as more power and torque, it provides better traction and stability, more precise cornering, and greater confidence when driving over a range of road conditions.

Beyond its class-leading efficiency on the road, the new Toyota C-HR further reduces its environmental impact through the introduction of new recycled and animal-free materials, as well as advanced technologies to reduce vehicle weight and cut CO₂ emissions during production.

AN AGILE AND RESPONSIVE PHEV

• Best-in-class PHEV powertrain with a dual DNA of a true EV daily driver alongside hybrid electric flexibility
• Powertrain settings enhanced to suit European tastes for optimised throttle response and acceleration feel
• No compromise on PHEV handling thanks to new technologies, weight saving and increased body stiffness

Toyota’s best-in-class PHEV powertrain combines with optimised handling, improved ride comfort and better braking for a more powerful, engaging, and fun driving experience with the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220.

The latest, fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology is at the heart of all new Toyota C-HR variants, achieving a class-leading balance of increased power and low emissions.

The Plug-in Hybrid 220 offers a best-in-class experience thanks to its dual DNA. It has the lively performance and smooth ride of a true EV for everyday journeys, with an all-electric range of up to 66km (WLTP combined) which exceeds the average daily driving range of a typical European customer.

When the battery is depleted during a longer journey, the vehicle automatically switches to hybrid mode, engaging Toyota’s class-leading hybrid technology to ensure an efficient trip no matter how far the journey goes.

Its PHEV powertrain consists of a 163 DIN HP (120 kW) electric motor on the front axle, with energy stored in a high-output 13.6 kWh Li-ion battery, alongside a 2.0 litre engine with 152 DIN HP (112 kW). That delivers a total system power of 223 DIN HP (164 kW) which helps the Plug-in Hybrid 220 accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.

Performance is matched by efficiency, with fuel consumption at 0.9 l/100 km and ultra-low WLTP combined cycle CO₂ emissions of 19 g/km. A clutch-less dual motor system eliminates friction and wear, enabling the Plug-in Hybrid 220 to use substantially less fuel when running in hybrid mode compared to most competitor PHEVs.

In common with all four Toyota C-HR powertrain options, the Plug-in Hybrid 220 has been enhanced to suit European tastes, using real-time data from drivers across the continent. Throttle response is optimised for a more direct and consistent acceleration feel, via recalibration of pedal input sensitivity to deliver easy control and rapid responsive.

The new Toyota C-HR builds on the engaging handling of the original, and for the PHEV version there is no compromise on driving dynamics thanks in part to updated Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) which delivers higher torsional rigidity whilst also reducing vehicle mass.

For the first time on a Toyota vehicle worldwide, the Plug-in Hybrid 220 features ZF frequency sensitive control (FSC) technology to enhance handling and ride comfort. The hydro-mechanical system increases damping force at low frequencies to deliver superior body control, in roll and pitch, as well as maintaining better control during cornering. At high frequency, reduced damping contributes to improved ride comfort.

Enhancements have also been made to braking performance and the Plug-in Hybrid 220, along with the Hybrid 200 AWD-i, benefits from 17-inch calliper and discs, plus the latest vehicle stability control systems. Hybrid 140 and Hybrid 200 variants feature new 16-inch twin piston brake calliper and discs with built-in electric parking brake. All versions have a redesigned brake pedal to enhance control and achieve a more natural braking feel.

Class-leading acoustic comfort is achieved thanks to a combination of measures. Engine speeds during highway driving have been reduced by up to 500 rpm, while vibration damping and noise insulation contribute to a peaceful ride. A drag co-efficient of 0.318 is achieved via a detailed aerodynamic development which reduced the frontal area and refined the body shape, including the underbody, to optimise air flow.

PHEV TECHNOLOGY AND CONTROL SETTINGS

• PHEV-specific development for greater efficiency and driving comfort
• Predictive Efficient Drive enhances efficiency through optimised battery usage, based on road and traffic conditions
• New geofencing function automatically optimises battery usage to maximise EV driving in low emission zones

The Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220 is the result of a dedicated development to make the most of the unique opportunities and requirements of a PHEV.

To further enhance the already-impressive PHEV efficiency, the vehicle uses a pump to draw heat from air outside, as well as making use of engine heat, to support the air conditioning system in winter and minimise battery use, therefore maximising EV range.

Use of components from the latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) modular platform allows the PHEV battery to be fitted under the floor outside the cabin, lowering the centre of gravity. This contributes to the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220’s agile handling, as well as removing any compromise on cabin or luggage space.

To further enhance cabin acoustics and ride comfort, the Plug-in Hybrid 220 features an additional damper at the front while further TNGA components are added to the rear suspension for greater rigidity and improved handling.

The Predictive Efficient Drive system, with new geo-fencing function, helps the driver stay one step ahead of what the journey has in store. The system combines analysis of road and traffic conditions with ongoing learning of a user’s regular routes and driving style to automatically optimise the use of full-electric mode, maximising efficiency.

The new geo-fencing function further optimises battery usage across the entire trip by analysing the planned route and automatically switching between EV and HV modes while driving outside of a low emission zone, in order to maximise EV drive when entering a low emission zone.

Regeneration Boost offers a ‘one pedal’-like experience and provides up to 80% of braking during driving, depending on which of the three settings – gentle, medium or strong – are selected, making for easier driving in traffic.

Enhanced confidence and control come courtesy of Adaptive Hill Control Logic, which applies motor assist when traveling downhill to reduce the need for a driver to press the brake pedal, making driving easier. It also modifies acceleration on undulating routes based on the incline, for more intuitive acceleration.

Four powertrain operation modes are available: EV mode, auto EV/HV mode, HV mode, and charging mode.

• Under EV mode, which is engaged by default when starting the vehicle, the system will drive in pure EV mode to the limit of its EV range, regardless of acceleration demand.
• The driver can also select Auto EV/HV mode, whereby the vehicle will engage the engine when extra power is required and return to EV afterwards.
• The HV mode, whereby the battery state of charge is maintained, will be automatically selected when the battery reaches a low state of charge. It can also be manually selected by the driver.
• Finally, a battery charging mode can be used when the driver wishes to recharge the EV battery whilst driving, using power generated by the engine.

In addition to the pre-set Normal, Eco and Sport modes familiar on most Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles, the driving experience on the new Toyota C-HR can be customised via the Drive Mode Select option on the centre console. Depending on a driver’s preference, a customised combination of powertrain, steering and air conditioning settings can be saved for instant access at any time.

A 6.6 kW onboard charger allows the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid 220 to recharge its battery from zero to 100% in under two-and-a-half hours. Charging using domestic electrical connections is also possible via the mode 2 charging cable supplied as standard.

Using the MyToyota app, charging can be started and stopped remotely when the vehicle is plugged in, with the app showing live progress and EV range. For further convenience, a charging schedule can be created, allowing the battery to be recharged at the most appropriate moment, for example during the night when electricity prices are typically at their lowest.

MyToyota also gives access to the Toyota Charging Network, one of the largest pan-European EV charging networks. Users can search for charging stations and see details of real-time availability, charging speed and plug types. An optional subscription service allows users to use and pay for charging services using the app.

SENSUAL EXTERIOR STYLE

• Full LED laps create a spectacular front and rear signature
• First-for-Toyota flush door handles enhance the sharp, cutting-edge exterior
• Unique panoramic glass roof for efficiency and more cabin space

The new Toyota C-HR is designed to stand out through its distinctive styling, which enhances the iconic coupe silhouette with dynamic diamond-cut character lines for a striking bold look.

At the front, the 3D architecture is reinterpreted to include spectacular full LED headlamps integrated alongside the turn signals within an eye-catching arrow-shaped design, while sharp character lines express a new level of sophisticated design execution. As standard, and for the first time in the market, the model’s name is directly integrated into the full LED rear lamp and illuminated during a dynamic welcome and goodbye sequence.

That bold look is further emphasised by the unique new ‘bi-tone+’ colouring, whereby the contrast black of the roof extends all the way to the rear of the car and into the car’s rear three-quarter section to create a striking, sleek appearance. The ‘bi-tone+’ colouring is available on Premiere and GR SPORT Editions Plug-in Hybrid 220.

True to the vision of a ‘concept car for the road’, the new Toyota C-HR brings premium features such as flush door handles, a first for Toyota. An incredible attention to detail is emphasised by the production innovation which allows the edge of the rear door to directly meet the rear lamp assembly, without any frame, for a sharper, cutting-edge exterior.

The Plug-in Hybrid 220, as well as other higher-grade models, features unique panoramic glass roof for a lighter, more spacious feeling, with 3 cm additional headroom at the rear of the cabin. Using innovative coatings, it retains heat inside the cabin on cooler days, and prevents overheating in sunny weather, reducing the need for air conditioning. That combines with a 5 kg weight saving achieved by eliminating the need for a conventional sunshade, which enhances efficiency.

A 35 mm wider stance is further complemented by new alloy wheels – a striking 20 inches on the Plug-in Hybrid 220 – and a 25 mm shorter front overhang as part of a condensed package that looks poised and dynamic from every angle.

AN EMOTIONAL USER EXPERIENCE

• New 64-colour ambient lighting sets the mood and enhances safety
• 12.3-inch digital combimeter with one-push operation, four themes and three dial layouts
• Toyota Smart Connect for a connected multimedia experience, with on-board voice agent

Inside the new Toyota C-HR, sensory quality has been taken to new heights by a comprehensive upgrade of materials to combine new features with an exceptional and emotional user experience.

Toyota’s first 64-colour ambient lighting system promotes serenity among occupants. During the day, the direct and indirect lighting changes every hour, from bright morning shades to relaxed evening hues, while one of 14 programmed themes can be chosen to reflect the mood of each journey. Lighting is also synchronised with the air conditioning system, using warmer colours when the cabin is heating, or cooler ones when the temperature is reducing. Safety is also enhanced via the ambient lighting, which is used to visually highlight warnings issued by the Safe Exit Assist and Proactive Driving Assist systems.

A driver-focused zone ensures all control elements and information are intelligently located to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The Plug-in Hybrid 220 features a head-up display and, like most Toyota C-HR models, an all-new, 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter for instrumentation which prioritises clear visibility of critical information, such as speed and driver assistance settings, and is optimised for one-touch operations. The display can be personalised through four themes – Casual, Smart, Tough or Sporty – and three customisable dial lay-outs.

Toyota Smart Connect offers a more connected multimedia experience, with on-board voice agent and wireless smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is integrated seamlessly on the Plug-in Hybrid 220 and selected other grades, alongside a Toyota first: a fade-effect metal JBL tweeter with custom-made perforations for superior sound quality, and engraved JBL logo.

A wing concept for the dash consists of a slim horizontal instrument panel perfectly integrated with the door panels and centre console to wrap the occupants and generate a warm, welcoming space. It includes practical features such as an additional, convenient storage tray integrated above the glove box and a centre console tray large enough to hold two mobile phones.

As well as enhanced ambiance, the new Toyota C-HR cabin also boasts improved air quality thanks to nanoeX™ technology which diffuses microscopic water droplets to cleanse the air, remove allergens, reduce odours, and promote more hydrated skin.

Practicality is enhanced via the MyToyota app, which incorporates several helpful functions, such as locking/unlocking the doors, and activating the air conditioning to heat or cool the car before starting a journey.

More comfortable parking is available via a Panoramic View Monitor, and for even more convenience, a unique-in-class semi-autonomous Advanced Parking system can manoeuvre into a space hands-free or via smartphone outside of the vehicle.

Compared to the previous Toyota C-HR, the new generation also benefit from increased trunk capacity.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

• Greater use of recycled materials, including 100% increase in recycled plastics.
• CO₂ emissions are further reduced via paint process innovations
• Toyota-first use of high-tensile steel enhances rigidity and cuts emissions

The new Toyota C-HR is an environmental leader within Toyota’s model range, setting new standards for sustainability, emissions reduction, and the use of recycled materials.

Compared to its predecessor, the new generation uses double the quantity of recycled plastic, which is now found in more than 100 different parts. That includes 19 parts which consist of at least 80% recycled material.

As well as interior plastic parts and floormats made from recycled content, a new synthetic seat covering is made from recycled plastic bottles, a first for Toyota. Extensive analysis and testing have ensured that the appearance, feel and durability of the recycled materials on the new Toyota C-HR is the same or better than virgin alternatives.

CO₂ emissions during production are further reduced by a new painting process for bumper parts, which utilises water-based paint for lower environmental impact within an automated process which also uses less material overall.

Paint has been eliminated entirely in seven parts, up from three on the previous generation, by an expanded use of in-mould colour technology, whereby colour is applied directly during the injection process, achieving a glossy finish, and cutting CO₂ emissions by 50% compared to painting.

By moving away from leather to a synthetic, animal-free steering wheel cover, the CO₂ impact of that part has been reduced. This new material offers the same or better look and feel as genuine leather and is included as standard on all grades.

Local production of the PHEV battery in Europe, means the ultra-efficient Plug-in Hybrid 220’s carbon footprint is further reduced, thanks to shorter transportation distances.

Through innovative design and technology, further measures have been taken to reduce the weight of specific parts, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

In a European first, the new Toyota C-HR uses high-strength 2000 MPa steel in its B-pillars, maintaining a very high torsional rigidity whilst reducing component weight by 3.5 kg and eliminating spot welding. This accounts for a 10% CO₂ reduction during the production process.

TOYOTA T-MATE SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

• Toyota T-Mate brings comprehensive safety and driver assistance features.
• Latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense, with preventive safety systems for even greater protection.
• Additional safety from Rear Seat Reminder System and Safe Exit Assist as standard.

All versions of the new Toyota C-HR benefit from Toyota T-Mate, which includes the third generation Toyota Safety Sense range of active safety and driver assistance features, as standard for comprehensive safety systems and driver assistance.

Toyota T-Mate is the collective name for the wide-ranging systems that help safeguard against accidents, provide protection in the event of an impact and assist the driver to make manoeuvres, whether parking or driving in traffic. On the new Toyota C-HR, the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense includes preventive safety systems with greater functionality and more comprehensive monitoring of the car’s surroundings.

The latest Pre-Collision System and Proactive Driving Assist constantly monitor the road for hazards and can warn the driver or automatically suppress acceleration and provide braking control if an imminent risk is detected. This guards against a range of risk factors, such as the presence of a slower or stationary vehicle in the lane ahead, and pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road, even when doing so on a road the vehicle is turning into.

Lane Trace Assist keeps the new Toyota C-HR safely on its intended path, guided by the road markings, the road margin or the vehicle ahead, further enhancing safety by reducing the driving burden on long highway journeys. The system works with the Full-Range Adaptive Cruise Control to adjust speed through a highway bend whilst monitoring the use of the steering wheel and pedals. If they are not used for a specific amount of time, it can initiate the Emergency Driving Stop System.

Enhanced Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control includes new Overtake Prevention Support to automatically prevent unintentional highway overtaking on the wrong side of another vehicle and Turn Signal Linked Control to help the driver join traffic at a safe speed and distance from other vehicles.

On main roads and highways, the Road Sign Assist gives a visual reminder of important information such as warning signs and the speed limit. The latest version is enhanced with a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter to match information from the road signs.

The new Toyota C-HR also benefits from additional safety systems as standard, such as the Rear Seat Reminder System, which alerts the driver if a child or pet is left on the back seat, and Safe Exit Assist which warns if vehicles or cyclists are approaching from behind when a door is opening.

An extended package is optionally available on the new Toyota C-HR. This includes enhanced Lane Change Assist and Front Cross Traffic Alert, designed to warn the driver of vehicles approaching from the left or right at intersections. A Driver Monitor Camera provides enhanced monitoring of a driver’s status and is linked to the Emergency Driving Stop System, while the Adaptive High-beam System adjusts front light levels to minimise glare for oncoming traffic.

For complete customer convenience, seamless software revisions and upgrades over-the-air is provided via the car’s data communications module.

ENDS

[1] WLTP Combined cycle

Toyota’s ground-breaking Mirai, the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell sedan, enjoys a series of technology upgrades for 2024 with new and extended features and functions for safety, security, convenience and on-board connectivity and entertainment.

The package of enhancements reinforces the second generation Mirai’s status as a flagship model for the brand and for Toyota’s multi-path technology strategy for reducing and ultimately eliminating carbon emissions. The hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain (FCEV) provides smooth, powerful and near silent performance, with no exhaust emissions other than pure water.

European sales of the 2024 Toyota Mirai will commence February. This summer Toyota will supply 500 zero-emission Mirai to support Paris 2024 as part of a fully electrified fleet of more than 2,650 passenger vehicles it is providing in its role as the worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). After the Games these Mirai will remain in service with Paris’ hydrogen taxi fleet.

TOYOTA TEAMMATE SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Mirai adopts the latest Toyota Teammate safety and driver assistance features to provide more sophisticated accident detection and avoidance and reduce the burden placed on the driver.

Where the car’s Toyota Safety Sense systems are concerned, updated camera and radar hardware takes accident risk detection to a higher level. For example, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can now recognise potential head-on collisions and the scope of its Intersection Collision Avoidance has widened so that it can respond to approaching traffic across two lanes and cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side.

Similarly, the hazards recognised by the Emergency Steering Assist now include motorcyclists, in addition to pedestrians, cyclists and parked vehicles. With the benefit of new acceleration suppression, there is a safeguard against sudden, unintended use of the throttle when travelling at low speed.

The Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been tuned for faster and more natural-feeling response and its curve speed reduction function is activated earlier, for smooth driving through a bend.

New Overtake Prevention Support prevents unintentional overtaking on the wrong side of a vehicle and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal Linked Control helps the driver safely rejoin the traffic lane at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.

The Lane Trace Assist (LTA) also has a more natural feel, recognising when the driver has moved out of lane while trying to avoid an obstacle and temporarily cancelling the Lane Departure Warning.

When the ACC and LTA are operating, an Emergency Driving Stop system monitors the driver’s use of the steering wheel and brake and accelerator pedals. If there are no inputs over a set time, it sounds a warning; if there’s no response from the driver, it will bring the car to a gentle halt and trigger the hazard lights.

Mirai further gains Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) which provides a series of automatic aids for safer driving at low speeds. These include Obstacle Anticipation Assist which gives steering and braking support to help the driver avoid approaching too close to obstacles ahead (such as parked vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists). Deceleration Assist provides smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the accelerator to slow down for a slower vehicle ahead, or when entering a bend; Steering Assist detects a bend ahead and adjusts steering force to help the driver adopt an appropriate steering angle.

For 2024, Mirai’s advanced driver assistance systems have been made standard across the range – a Blind Spot Monitor and a Panoramic View Monitor which gives the driver a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the car for safer and more precise manoeuvring.

MULTIMEDIA AND DIGITAL INNOVATION

The 2024 Mirai adopts Toyota’s sophisticated Smart Connect+ multimedia package, accessed via a new-look 12.3-inch touchscreen.

It provides access to cloud-based navigation that is constantly updated with live traffic information for efficient journey planning. In areas where connection to the cloud isn’t available, an additional, embedded navigation system can be used.

As an alternative to the touchscreen, the driver and front passenger can use voice commands and the “Hey Toyota” on-board assistant. The new system recognises conversational speaking style and can be used without the audio having to be turned off.  The audio package itself is a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system.

Smartphones can be integrated with the car’s multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection and all five USB ports in the cabin are now USB-C standard for device connection and charging.

REMOTE PARKING BY SMARTPHONE APP

Toyota is further exploring the convenience offered by smartphone apps with a new remote parking function. This allows the car to be smoothly and precisely positioned in tight parking spaces and can even be used by the driver when they are standing outside the vehicle.

DIGITAL KEY CONVENIENCE

During the second half of 2024, a digital key will be available for Mirai. Using a smartphone app, this can be used by up to five individuals to access and start the vehicle. It’s a completely convenient solution: the user only needs to have their smartphone on their person for the key to operate. As well as making it easier for family members or business associates to use the car without having to hand over a physical key, it can also be used when the vehicle needs to be accessed or collected for servicing or repair.

The winning combination of power, poise and precise control of the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID competition car has filtered down directly from the sport’s premier competition to the new GR Yaris, a car that’s genuinely “born from WRC”.

This high-performance hatchback is a perfect expression of Toyota’s focus on using involvement in top level motorsport to fuel the development of ever better cars – both for racing and the road.

Toyota is pleased to provide an opportunity to drive the new GR Yaris and experience its capabilities in its natural environment, Finnish snow and ice.

INTRODUCING THE NEW GR YARIS

The new Toyota GR Yaris made its world debut earlier this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon. It benefits from technical, design and construction enhancements that promise to deliver an even greater driving experience.

The GR Yaris met with such praise and enthusiasm on its launch, Toyota might have considered its work was done. Here was a car that at a stroke stormed to the top of the hot-hatch segment, a rally-born, thoroughbred machine that left all competitors in its wake.

Think again: this was in fact just the start of the story. In the three years since the first car came off the line, intensive efforts have been invested in making it even better: more powerful, more responsive, more engaging and – believe it – more rewarding to drive.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing engineers have worked with race and rally professionals in the spirit of constant improvement to enrich the GR Yaris’ essential character as a “driver-first” car – one that is all about the special experience you enjoy from the moment you get behind the wheel and fire up the engine.

The check-list of changes is extensive, justifying the “new GR Yaris” description. Key elements include evolution of the world-leading turbocharged three-cylinder engine to deliver even more power and torque and the introduction of a brand-new eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, engineered for competition-fast gear changes.

The bespoke GR Yaris chassis has been further strengthened and in the cabin the cockpit layout and driving position have been redrawn for a more authentic sports car feel, whether on-road driving or in motorsports competition. The suspension has also been adjusted for greater handling control and robust performance under high loads, with revised spring rates and a strengthened front shock absorber assembly.

The new GR Yaris offers everything that made the original such a success, but more so. As a result, it promises to set itself even further ahead of the competition.

A more focused range comprises a single version in “Circuit” specification that includes a cooling performance pack. This equips the car with an additional sub-radiator, intercooler spray and modified air intake.

The new GR Yaris will go on sale across Europe from Summer 2024.

GR YARIS: THE STORY SO FAR

The GR Yaris is the perfect demonstration of how Toyota and its performance arm TOYOTA GAZOO Racing are committed to developing ever-better cars through motorsport. From the outset, this was not going to be just another hot hatch: this was a car that in engineering and design terms directly reaped the benefits of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s championship winning experience in the WRC.

A new engine, a new electronic all-wheel drive system and a tailor-made chassis were all part of the plan. When the production car reached the hands of the press and customers, the response far surpassed Toyota’s expectations. Since the model’s 2020 launch, more than 20,000 cars have been sold in Europe, with a 99% customer satisfaction rating. Most of those sold have been the Circuit version, hence the decision to focus on this specification for the new model. Customers include many performance car aficionados, who consider the GR Yaris to be worthy of a place alongside significantly more powerful prestige models in their collections. The GR Yaris is thus beyond categorisation; it is in a class of its own and an instant sports car classic.

The development programme that has delivered the new GR Yaris follows the concept of “develop, race, break, fix”. This describes how in seeking improvements, the car is pushed to its limits – literally to the breaking point of its components. Chief Engineer Naohiko Saito said: “Every aspect of the new GR Yaris incorporates the knowhow and expertise fed back from actual motorsport situations and from our Master Driver Akio Toyoda and race and rally drivers.”

DEVELOPED IN THE SPIRITUAL HOME OF WORLD RALLYING

When Toyota returned to the WRC in 2017 after 18 years away from rallying’s top level, an ambition to be the best was supported by the decision to base the new team in Finland. The town of Jyväskylä is widely regarded as the spiritual home of rallying and its location provides excellent access to challenging roads on which to test and tune vehicle performance.

This supports TOYOTA GAZOO Racing‘s belief that development is best achieved in extreme conditions and its philosophy that “the road shapes the driver as well as the car”. Around the world, people drive their cars in all conditions and on all types of surfaces, every day. To learn how to make ever-better cars, Toyota needs to gain a clear understanding of how ordinary people deal with their everyday driving demands.

Rallying is a motorsport that’s about how far cars can go in a wide range of driving conditions, which makes it the perfect high-level arena for gaining knowledge and experience and developing technologies, skills and solutions that can be applied to new production vehicles. This is why Toyota competes in the WRC.

MORE POWER, MORE TORQUE, MORE CONTROL

At launch, the GR Yaris’ turbocharged engine had the distinction of being the world’s most powerful three-cylinder production unit. Now it offers even more: power has been increased by 19 DIN hp and the driver can call on an additional 30 Nm of torque, with maximum figures rising from 261 DIN hp and 360 Nm to 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm.

This new benchmark in performance reaffirms the car’s supremacy in its class, increasing its advantage over the competition and delivering an authentic race car feel that reaffirms how Toyota has realised its ambition to build a rally car for the road.

At the same time as engine output has been raised, steps have been taken to ensure durability is maintained. Once again, the race track and the rally stage were the proving ground, with the engine tested to breaking point in the Japan Rally Championship and the Japanese Endurance Race series. Details include a strengthened valvetrain, a new exhaust valve material and an increase in the D-4ST fuel injection pressure. New lightweight pistons with wear-resistant rings have been fitted and a new intake pressure sensor has been added.

In Europe, the new model is offered in a single “Circuit” specification that includes a cooling performance pack. This equips the car with a new sub-radiator to improve reliability in full-throttle driving, modifications to the air intake and an intercooler spray.

SUPER-FAST SHIFTING WITH NEW GAZOO RACING DIRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The introduction of a brand-new eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission is one of the most significant changes in the new GR Yaris programme, offered as an option to the established six-speed manual gearbox. In designing the new unit, Toyota focused on achieving the fastest possible downshift speed. Changing to automatic operation; using an automatic also lets the driver focus more strongly on steering and use of the brake and throttle pedals.

Where conventional gear shifting relies on sensing vehicle behaviour, such as deceleration g-force and speed, the new transmission’s optimised software is also finely tuned to sense how the driver is using the brakes and accelerator. By doing so, it anticipates when gear shifting is necessary even before changes in vehicle behaviour occur, so that gear selection reflects the driver’s intentions and is similar to how professional drivers operate.

In track testing, the new system proved its value, helping secure faster lap times than the manual transmission. Handling performance is supported by the standard provision of front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.

To address issues including the vulnerability of automatic systems to heat damage and the need to balance high shift speed with driveability, GR engineers carried out repeated materials and software revisions. The test programme included TGR World Rally Team drivers putting it through its paces on different surfaces, including snow-covered roads in Finland. The unit was also used in the Japan Rally Championship, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge and the Super Taikyu Series.

Increasing the number of gears from six to eight allows the transmission to have closer ratios. It also benefits from a new torque control system and a compact, high-response linear solenoid. Using highly heat-resistant material in the gear-shift clutch and adjustments tuning of the control software have produced world-class shifting speeds. Shifting in the D-range is of competition standard and the predictive gear selection function aligns perfectly with the driver’s intentions. Cooling requirements are addressed with the installation of an automatic transmission fluid cooler as standard.

A new drive mode selection function is available to tailor the car for both sports driving and everyday use, with Sport, Normal and Eco modes engaging different settings for the electric power steering, air conditioning operation, throttle response and the driver’s instrument display. On models equipped with the GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, the gearshift feel and selection are also adjusted. Shift feel is response-oriented in Sport mode and has a balance between shock and response in Normal and Eco modes. In Sport mode, response is prioritised in the D range, while using M range ensures the quickest shifting. The driver will find that working within the rev band from 4,900 rpm to the 7,200 rpm red line puts them at the heart of the action.

GR-FOUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

As with the current GR Yaris, optimum grip and traction are achieved with the GR-FOUR electronically controlled, permanent all-wheel drive system. The distribution of torque between the front and rear axles is governed by a high-response coupling, while two Torsen limited-slip differentials manage the split between the left and right-side wheels to give natural and direct car control.

The ingenious system uses slightly different gear ratios for the front and rear axles and allows for a theoretical range of front/rear torque balance from 100:0 (full front-wheel drive) to 0:100 (full rear-wheel drive). This flexibility gives a performance advantage over AWD on-demand systems that use twin-coupling or permanent AWD systems with a centre differential. The GR-FOUR system is also considerably lighter in weight.

The driver can adjust four-wheel drive performance to suit their preference or the driving situation using a 4WD mode dial switch. In normal mode the standard front/rear torque distribution is 60:40; in Track mode the balance shifts to the rear, with variable drive torque distribution between 60:40 and 30:70 to achieve a fun-to-drive quality on winding roads and circuits; and in Gravel mode the base setting is 53:47 for fast, competitive driving on circuits or special stages. In each mode, the torque balance will automatically adjust in response to the driver’s inputs, vehicle behaviour and road or track conditions.

The all-wheel drive system’s ECU provides linear control of the drive torque distribution, in line with the driving situation, responding to vehicle information including vehicle speed, acceleration and brake pressure. The system also uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, operating according to data from sensors measuring wheel speed, G-forces and clutch temperature.

INCREASED BODY RIGIDITY DELIVERS EVEN BETTER CHASSIS AND STEERING RESPONSE

The GR Yaris’ lightweight body has been rendered even more rigid with around a 13% increase in spot welds and the application of approximately 24% more structural adhesive. As a result, the car’s yaw response, steering feedback and grip feel have been enhanced, building what was already a taut and highly rewarding chassis.

The platform was purpose-designed for the car, combining the front section of the Yaris’ GA-B structure and a new rear end crafted from Toyota’s larger GA-C platform.

The light but rigid suspension systems have been retained – front MacPherson struts and rear double wishbones with trailing arms – but adjustments have been made in response to feedback from competition drivers. Adding extra bolts to fasten the front shock absorbers to the body suppresses changes in alignment that can happen when upper bush deforms in high-load driving. The front and rear springs have also been adjusted for optimum performance and improved handling control.

COMPETITION-INSPIRED NEW DRIVER’S COCKPIT

Significant changes have been made inside the GR Yaris to give the driver’s cockpit an authentically sporty feel with a design that’s true to the “driver first” principles that define the car.

The GR team took the inputs from racing and rally drivers as inspiration for re-positioning controls and giving the driver faster, clearer access. Race and rally drivers also had direct input into the changes.

Controls that often need to be used in competition driving, such as intercooler spray, VSC-OFF and hazard lights have been moved closer to the driver so they can be reached quickly and easily when using a racing harness. On the passenger side, the tray in the instrument panel has been made larger so there is space for extra meters or a co-driver’s monitor to be fitted.

The driver’s field of vision from the wheel has been improved by changing dropping the top edge of the instrument panel by 50 mm, changing the position of the rear-view mirror and angling the control panel 15 degrees further towards the driver.

The instrumentation includes a new 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter with two layout modes – normal and sport, the latter providing a sports performance-focused data display. The design is free of any superfluous ornamentation, so graphics a clear and information can be instantly viewed and understood. On the automatic model, the read-out includes transmission oil temperature and a visual warning in addition to a sound alarm to alert the driver when engine revs are too high for downshifting.

Precise changes have been made to give the driver the best posture. The seat has been lowered by 25 mm and steering wheel adjusted accordingly. The shift direction has been changed to suit competition driving so the driver pushes the lever forward for downshifts and pulls back for upshifts – a detail promoted by Master Driver and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda (alias “Morizo”).

 EXTERIOR DESIGN DETAILS

As might be expected in such a thoroughbred machine, the changes to the GR Yaris’ exterior are far from being simple cosmetic tweaks. Once again, the feedback from professional and master drivers and experience gained in the heat of motorsport have been integral to the revisions.

The essential package remains the same: GR Yaris is a three-door car that’s very much a model in its own right: only the rear light clusters, antenna and door mirrors are carried over from the standard hatchback. Every element has been revised to achieve optimum downforces, aerodynamics and grip.

At the front of the car there is a new steel mesh for the lower grille, optimised for the best balance of thickness, strength and weight reduction. The side grille has a larger opening and lower bumper has a new split-construction that makes it easier and less costly to repair or replace.

At the rear, an opening in the bottom edge of the lower garnish allows air from beneath the floor to escape, reducing drag, improving the car’s manoeuvrability and stability and dispersing heat from the exhaust system.

The fog and reversing lights have been relocated, moving from the lower bumper to be integrated in the rear combination lamps, reducing the risk of damage. Similarly, the high-mounted stop light as been moved from the rear spoiler to lower down on the back door so that all rear lamps are aligned and in a clear line of sight for following drivers. Moving the stop light also makes it easier for the spoiler to be changed or customised.

The new GR Yaris introduces a new exterior colour option, Precious Metal, in addition to the established signature shades – Emotional Red, Precious Black and Super White/Platinum White Pearlescent, representing the colours of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing livery.

New equipment features* include latest-generation Toyota Safety Sense systems, navigation and a digital key. The automatic model will provide a higher specification with forged wheels, rear and side monitors and premium JBL sound system.

*Specifications may vary according to local market; details will be confirmed nearer the time of the model’s launch.

RALLY CHAMPION-INSPIRED SPECIAL EDITIONS

Two special edition versions of the new GR Yaris are adding an extra layer of appeal to the model range, developed with personal input from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) champion drivers Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä. Aimed at genuine driving aficionados, these highly exclusive cars were revealed for the first time at Rallye-Monte Carlo, the opening event in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

The special editions are inspired by concept versions which were shown at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, and have been created under the supervision of Ogier, who won two of his eight WRC driver’s titles with TGR-WRT, in 2020 and 2021, and Rovanperä, the winner in 2022 and 2023.

Their production reflects the desire of Master Driver Akio Toyoda – alias “Morizo” – to express his respect and gratitude to the drivers “who hone and grow our cars in rallies” and to the teams, the rally organisers and the sport’s fans.

In each car the “Gravel” and “Track” modes featured on the standard GR Yaris have been replaced with settings reprogrammed to reflect each driver’s personal preferences for handling and performance. The “special edition” quality also includes distinctive new exterior and interior styling features.

Both cars are powered by the latest development of the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm of torque, matched to six-speed intelligent manual transmission (6iMT).

Ogier Edition

The Ogier Edition GR Yaris has two new AWD control modes: Morizo and Seb. The Morizo mode has been developed by Morizo (Akio Toyoda) through his rally driving experiences. It is calibrated to help deliver consistent race times under acceleration, partial acceleration and braking. The Seb mode, developed by Ogier, uses the front and rear Torsen limited slip differentials and all-wheel drive to distribute torque to the rear axle so that the back of the car can be swung out with relative ease. This gives the driver a sense of being fully connected with the car and will help them achieve quicker times with high-speed driving body control.

The Ogier Edition’s bodywork has a dedicated Matt Stealth Grey paint finish and features the French national flag (Ogier’s home nation) on the radiator grille and the 18x8J BBS alloy wheels. WRC commemorative stickers are added to the front wings.

The stand-out details also include a new-design carbon fibre CFRP rear spoiler and blue-painted brake callipers. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals have been added to the left and right doors and an Ogier Edition logo to the back door.

Inside, there is a WRC victory commemoration plaque on passenger side of the instrument panel and contrast blue, grey and red stitching (honouring the French national colours) on the steering wheel. Grey stitching is used for the shift and parking brake gaiters and the seat upholstery.

On both special editions, the new GR Yaris’ digital instrumentation has been revised to include the new modes, together with the regular Normal AWD control mode.

Rovanperä Edition

The Rovanperä Edition has a unique Donut Mode, created specifically for the WRC’s youngest champion who is highly skilled in drifting and performing tyre-smoking donuts. Here, the new mode allows for easy driving and “door turns” with a constant, strong torque flow to the rear wheels.

This GR Yaris version also provides Kalle Mode. This uses a constant-velocity rear differential and front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials to produce linear handling characteristics so the back end of the car can be powerfully swung out as it enters a bend and allowing the front to be pulled forward on the throttle on the exit.

The car has an exclusive three-tone paint finish, applied as a series of painted motifs by the designer of Rovanperä’s drift car livery, Henri Liupakka. WRC victory stickers are added to the front wings and there are TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals on the doors and rear bumper and a Rovanperä Edition badge on the back door. As well as BBS 18x8J alloys, the car is fitted with a CFRP variable wing rear spoiler, shared with the GRMN Yaris, and constant-velocity rear differential gears, engineered to perform under sustained high drive loads.

In the cabin the trim and upholstery stitching again match the driver’s national colours, in this case blue and grey for Finland. As in the Ogier Edition, a special plaque commemorates TGR’s WRC victory.

The Ogier and Rovanperä Editions will be built in strictly limited numbers. Details of ordering and sales in European markets will be announced at a later date by national distributors.

Summary of Special Editions features

New GR Yaris technical specifications*

* European specifications may vary pending final homologation

The new range builds on Yaris’ previous achievements, strengthening its appeal in key areas and embracing new technologies to make it an even more compelling proposition. Performance, safety and styling have all been scrutinised to ensure the model remains a leading player in the highly competitive B-segment in Europe.

The key updates include an additional, more powerful new hybrid electric powertrain; significant new and enhanced safety and driver assistance features; and all-new driver’s instrumentation and multimedia system that exploit the potential of digital technology.

These are introduced without diminishing the qualities that have made Yaris enduring popular: a car with lasting quality that’s easy to live with, fun to drive and exceptionally efficient.

Built in Europe for European customers, the new Yaris reinforces the model’s award-winning reputation for innovation and excellence in small car design and engineering.

MORE POWER, FUN AND CHOICE WITH THE NEW “HYBRID 130”

The new Yaris offers customers the option of a new, more powerful full hybrid electric powertrain, the “Hybrid 130”. Joining the established “Hybrid 115” powertrain option in the line-up, the new “Hybrid 130” reaps the benefits of fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology to give sharper acceleration, allied to the car’s fundamentally nimble character.

It’s the kind of performance profile that’s increasingly a priority for B-segment customers, particularly those looking to downsize their choice of vehicle. And with a new “dual hybrid” product strategy, Toyota is widening Yaris’ appeal in a critical area: hybrid is the top purchase consideration for most buyers.

The 1.5-litre full hybrid electric system has a great track record since its launch, founded on leading fuel and emissions efficiency and its ability to go further and for longer in all-electric EV mode. These qualities are maintained and re-engineered for increased output.

The key change is the introduction of a new hybrid transaxle with a more powerful electric motor-generator (output up from 59 kW to 62 kW), together with adjustments to the software and hardware in the power control unit (PCU). The result is a 12% uplift in total system output, from 116 DIN hp/85 kW to 130 DIN hp/96 kW. It’s not just about headline power, there is more muscle, too, with maximum torque from the MG2 electric motor increased by 30%, from 141 Nm to 185 Nm, available across the entire rev range.

This translates to faster acceleration, half a second quicker to bring the 0-100 km/h benchmark down to 9.2 seconds. Similarly, there’s more rapid performance at overtaking speeds, with 80-120 km/h accomplished in 7.5 seconds.

Toyota’s long-standing experience of hybrid technology ensures that the CO₂ emissions remains best-in-class at 87-98 g/km while fuel consumption remains robust at 3.9-4.3 l/100 km (WLTP combined cycle data).

Fuel economy is further enhanced with features such as the Predictive State of Charge Control for downhill and congestion driving conditions by using a combination of data from the navigation system to ensure the battery charge level maximises EV driving to enhance fuel efficiency depending on route, traffic, and gradient.

The new “Hybrid 130” is available as standard in the new Yaris Premiere Edition and GR Sport models. In some European markets it is also available in the High grade.

A NEW DIGITAL USER EXPERIENCE

Toyota is also transforming the new Yaris’ user experience with digital technology, extending from driver information to on-board entertainment and connectivity and even access to the vehicle.

CUSTOMISABLE INSTRUMENT DISPLAYS

Depending on model grade, a 7- or 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument display is fitted. Both have sharply defined full colour graphics that are easy to read in all lighting conditions.

The 12.3-inch version (High, Premiere Edition and GR SPORT grades) can be customised to suit the driver’s preference for information content and presentation style. There are 12 display pattern options, with left, centre, and right-side multi-information displays.

The central multi-information display is dedicated to the most frequently used information, such as advanced safety system status, settings, and driver alerts. The left and right displays cover details such as journey information, fuel consumption, audio, and navigation details. Widgets can also be added to the left and right displays to access more information, using the switches on the steering wheel. Up to three different lay-out combinations can be stored for use on different types of journeys.

Further customisation is provided with a choice of four display themes – Casual, Smart, Tough and Sporty – and one, two or no dials. The 7-inch display (Mid grade) offers nine patterns, three styles and a choice of three function displays – tachometer, hybrid system indicator and an analogue speedometer.

TOYOTA SMART CONNECT MULTIMEDIA

The new Yaris sees the introduction of the latest Toyota Smart Connect multimedia package, designed for easier, more intuitive operation with a fast-reacting interface. It includes access to a cloud-based navigation system that helps ensure time-efficient journey planning with up-to-the-minute information on routes, traffic events and delays.

The system is accessed via a 10.5-inch touchscreen, or by spoken commands. Voice recognition has moved to another level, with the “Hey Toyota” voice agent able to respond to requests using more natural, conversational forms of speech. For example, say “Hey Toyota, I’m cold” and the system will automatically raise the climate control temperature. The voice agent can listen to requests without having to lower or turn off audio playback.

SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY AND UPDATES

Today’s customers want an easy, seamless smartphone connection when they use their car and in the new Yaris it could not be simpler with wireless integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems.

Toyota is also making life easier and simpler by delivering software updates for the multimedia functions and the advanced safety features over-the-air using the car’s data communications module. These can then be downloaded and installed when convenient for the owner, with no need for the car to be taken to service centre.

DIGITAL KEY TO SUCCESS

The Yaris’ digital makeover will include the new Smart Digital Key feature, provided as standard on the Premiere Edition and as an option for GR SPORT and Mid grade models.

Linked to Toyota’s MyT app, this allows up to five users to access the vehicle using their smartphone. It’s designed for complete convenience: you can lock, unlock, or start the vehicle without having to take your phone out of your bag or pocket.

It is compatible with both Apple and Android devices and one year’s connection is included in the car’s purchase price.

The MyT app also provides useful functions such as remote vehicle locking and unlocking, climate control operation to warm or cool the cabin ahead of a journey and hazard light activation to help spot the car in a crowded parking lot.

SAFER, EASIER DRIVING WITH ENHANCED TOYOTA T-MATE FEATURES

The current generation Toyota Yaris was designed from the outset with the aim of being a segment leader in terms of safety, equipped with a wealth of active and passive safety equipment.

The new Yaris goes even further, with additional and enhanced features that will strengthen its all-round safety leadership and help Toyota progress towards its ultimate goal of eliminating all road traffic accidents.

TOYOTA T-MATE AND TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE

Toyota T-Mate embraces all the advanced features that make the new Yaris safer and easier to drive and park, features that have been made more effective than ever with new and enhanced functions. These include the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance systems.

The new Yaris is equipped with a new camera and radar which can scan further ahead and wider than before, significantly increasing the scope for accident risk detection. For example, this means the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can now additionally recognise a potential head-on impact and wider range of objects in the car’s path, including pedestrians, cyclists and, for the first time, motorcycles.

Acceleration Suppression is a new Toyota Safety Sense feature which will intervene to slow any sudden acceleration of the car when there is a risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead.

Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is also new, designed to help avoid familiar accident hazards when driving at low speeds. It provides smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the throttle to slow down when coming up behind a slower vehicle, or when entering a bend. PDA also provides Steering Assist: when the car is approaching a bend, this will adjust steering force to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn.

The new Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) can support the driver should they be taken ill or be incapacitated. Active when Lane Trace Assist is engaged, this detects if the driver has made no steering, braking or acceleration inputs for a certain amount of time. Initially the driver will receive audio and visual warnings, and if there is still no response from the driver it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights and unlock the doors.

Safe Exit Assist (SEA), available as an option, provides visual and audio warnings to help prevent a car door being opened inadvertently into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching the rear. The Rear Seat Reminder System (RSRS) is another innovation that reminds the driver with warnings and audio alerts if they have left a child or pet on the back seat, helping avoid the risk of “hot car” incidents.

As well as these additional functions, the new Yaris benefits from upgrades to established Toyota Safety Sense features. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been revised for quicker response and to operate with a more natural and reassuring feel. For example, when another vehicle moves into the Yaris’ traffic lane, deceleration is more gradual. The driver can also select a longer vehicle-to-vehicle gap setting and the system’s curve speed reduction function activates earlier, giving smoother speed control.

New systems have been added to the ACC, designed to make overtaking safer. Overtaking Prevention Support prevents unintentional passing on the wrong side of a vehicle (“undertaking”) and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal-Linked Control helps the driver safely re-join the traffic lane after overtaking, at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.

The Lane Departure Alert has been revised so that it will recognise when the driver has steered out of a lane when trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancel the Lane Departure Warning.

The Lane Trace Assist’s (LTA) lane-centring function has been recalibrated to work with a more natural feeling and now just a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter is all that’s needed to match traffic sign information relayed by the Road Sign Assist.

PREMIERE EDITION LEADS REFRESHED MODEL LINE-UP

The Yaris line-up has new top-of-the-range model in the form of the Premiere Edition, a version which goes to the maximum in terms of equipment specification and is powered exclusively by the new “Hybrid 130” powertrain.

It stands out on the street with a bi-tone paint finish that combines an exclusive new Neptune Blue with contrasting gloss black roof and pillars and newly designed 17-inch black machined alloys. Blue is the highlight colour in the cabin as well, featured in the seat upholstery stitching and deco lines that highlight the instrument and door panels.

There is also the choice of Platinum Pearl or Silver Metallic bi-tone paintwork for the Premiere Edition, as well as a new Juniper Blue for other model grades.

Elsewhere in the range there is a new five-spoke alloy wheel design – silver for Mid grade and with a machined finish for the Mid+ model. The cabin also has a freshened look with a new seat upholstery pattern.

GR SPORT HAS THE EDGE

For customers looking for sportier styling, the GR SPORT grade delivers styling flourishes that capture the spirit of Toyota’s highly successful, multiple World Championship-winning motorsport outfit, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.

The GR SPORT feature exclusive 18-inch machined allaoys with highlighting red deco lines, front sport seats with red upholstery and trim stitching, sports pedals, perforated leather steering wheel trim and GR badging on the seats, starter button and steering wheel.

The Dynamic Grey exterior colour is also exclusive to the grade with GR SPORT badges on the front and rear of the car, as well as G-shaped front grille motif for a standout look.

EXTERIOR MUSCLE, INTERIOR SPACIOUSNESS

The Yaris retains the muscular, agile lines that set it apart from its segment rivals, with a sporty profile that projects energy and dynamism. The styling is true to its agile, poised handling and responsive chassis, underpinned by the quality of its GA-B platform as part of the Toyota New Global Architecture. While height and length are compact, the car has a comparatively long wheelbase and wide front and tracks. This makes for a roomy cabin and a solid road stance. The proportions are ideal for urban streets and tight parking spaces, with short overhangs and a compact 5.2 m turning circle (models with 16-inch wheels).

The interior exudes quality and a spacious feel, designed with a “less is more” approach. The focus is on sensory appeal with harmonious lines and soft-to-the-touch elements such as a padded dashboard and felt door panel inserts. The layout is distinguished by a low-set hood for the driver’s instrument binnacle, a wide centre console and a sporty small-diameter steering wheel.

YARIS: A HISTORY OF HIGH ACHIEVEMENT

The Yaris is one of the most successful models in Toyota’s history with its worldwide sales surpassing the 10 million mark in 2023. This achievement shows this small car has delivered on its original promise of bringing “big-small” thinking to the B-segment as a car that’s compact and purposeful-looking yet delivering a spacious interior.

The first-generation model was an instant success, claiming the Car of the Year titles in both Europe and Japan at the turn of the millennium. Successive models have consistently set benchmarks for performance and technology. This notably includes the third generation Yaris being the first car in its class to be offered with full hybrid electric power.

Constant improvement and a deep understanding of changing customer preferences and priorities have kept the Yaris at the top if its game. Its consistently strong appeal and class-leading qualities saw the current, fourth generation model awarded the Car of the Year award in 2021, a second for the Yaris. The jury praised Yaris’ hybrid technology for its smooth driving, low emissions, and accessible price point – illustrating why more than 80% of Yaris buyers choose the hybrid powertrain. The Yaris was also recognised for its design, dynamic performance, and class-leading safety.

The Yaris was the model of choice when Toyota returned to the World Rally Championship in 2017 under the brand’s motorsport arm, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, with immediate successes culminating in four Manufacturers’ Championships (three in a row) and five Drivers’ Championships (four in a row).

Inspired by the successful Yaris World Rally Car, Toyota introduced the first pure performance GAZOO Racing sports car in 2020, the GR Yaris. The sports car maintained the nameplate’s role as a pathfinder for innovative technologies and received unprecedented acclaim by media and car lovers, becoming an instant modern classic.

In 2021, the Yaris family expanded with the introduction of the Yaris Cross, bringing together Toyota’s rich experience and know-how in small cars with its heritage of innovative SUV design and engineering to create an all-new model, perfectly suited to daily use but offering adventure and a fun-to-drive spirit. Shortly after launch, the Yaris Cross cemented its pedigree in the multiple award-winning Yaris family when it was named the 2022 World Urban Car by organisers of the World Car Awards.

As the new Yaris makes its debut, the sales performance of the Yaris remains strong in Europe as a perennial top-seller, reaching some 170,000 units in 2023.

The new Yaris hatchback range is now available in Europe.

Updated on February 16, 2024: This press kit was updated to reflect the variance in start of availability time of the Smart Digital Key feature in different markets in Europe.

This first round of enhancements for the model focuses on the top purchase considerations for customers in the segment, ensuring Yaris Cross maintains its all-round buyer appeal. Since its introduction in 2021, it has quickly established itself as strong and highly competitive challenger in the fast-growing European B-SUV market and is the leader in its segment to date this year.

The new Yaris Cross delivers stronger and more rewarding performance from its hybrid electric powertrain; safer and easier driving with the latest Toyota T-Mate safety and driver assistance systems; a fully digital user experience; and styling details that enhance its modern urban styling. Its introduction completes a full revision of Toyota’s small car line-up with new Aygo X and Yaris hatchback; it also forms part of a powerful new Yaris family alongside the hatchback and the pure performance GR Yaris.

UNIQUE ART CARS FOR FIRST DRIVE EVENT IN LISBON

As part of a launch activity for the new Yaris Cross, Toyota asked five Lisbon-based artists to use the new Toyota Yaris Cross as a canvas for bold and original artworks drawing on Portugal’s and the city's classical heritage and vibrant contemporary culture. The result builds a striking visual relationship between the compact, urban-friendly Yaris Cross and the wealth of colours, motifs and murals that bring Lisbon’s streets to life.

Ines Santos is a graduate of ESAD.Cr, Portugal’s Upper School of Arts and Design. She worked for advertising agencies before joining the award-winning studio Barbara Says and is also a member of the team delivering Lisbon’s world-renowned Architecture Triennial.

Her design for the Yaris Cross is inspired by the Lisbon’s famous azulejo ceramic tiles, adapting the classic scroll-work that can still be found on the facades of older buildings and using the signature light blue and white shades. These contrast with a yellow stone-like pattern lower down on the bodywork, and a deep azure covering the car’s roof.

Los Pepes is the artistic duo Meggie Prata and Francisco Leal. Together they create bold and euphoric artworks with the aim of encouraging positive thinking in everyone who sees them. Also known as the “Gangsters of Love,” they explore what colours can do to the human mind, producing spray-painted street art and digitally rendered designs in which colour is a leading element.

Applying their technique to the Yaris Cross, they have produced a dazzle-painted car in clashing colours and patterns across every panel, unlike anything else on the road.

Tosco (Paulo Ferreira) is a Lisbon native and began taking his art into urban spaces in the late 1990s when felt the need to express himself in a more visible way. Today he is one of the most innovative figures in Portugal’s unconventional line graffiti scene, the powerful character of his work expressing an enormous creative capacity.

For the Yaris Cross he has produced a streetscape scene that bursts with energy and humour, peopled by fantasy characters enjoying life to the full – from riding a bicycle and paddling a canoe to scoring a goal and playing a jazz trumpet.

Diana Oliveira is from the south of Portugal and is now based in Almada, just across the Tagus from Lisbon. Her passion for shapes and colours inspired her to become a multi-faceted graphic designer and illustrator, producing work that brings illustrative pieces to life with animation.

Her elegant design for the Yaris Cross draws inspiration from one of Lisbon’s most famous tiled buildings, the 19th century Fábrica Viúva Lamego. Motifs from the architecture are combined with draped lemon tree branches and exotic birds and animals.

Italian-born Luca Colapietro was inspired by the beauty and abundance of the azulejo in Portugal’s cites to create his own interior design project influenced by their deep-rooted aesthetic qualities. This brought about the founding of Surrealjos, a surrealist interpretation of classical tile design, in 2014.

He has produced a classical and symmetrical all-over design for the Yaris Cross, punctuated by surprise details, including eyes and red-lipped open mouths.

POWER AND DRIVING PLEASURE

The Yaris Cross joins its sibling Yaris hatchback model with the new “dual hybrid” powertrain offering in adopting fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology in a new powertrain option, the “Hybrid 130”. This offers a wider choice to new B-segment customers downsizing their vehicle, without sacrificing performance.

The established 1.5-litre full hybrid electric system has been equipped with a new transaxle that features a larger and more powerful electric motor-generator (MG1). This, together with adjustments to the power control unit (PCU), delivers a 12% increase in total system output, from 116 DIN hp/85 kW to 130 DIN hp/96 kW. At the same time, the MG2 motor’s torque has been increased across the entire rev band, with the maximum rising by 30% from 141 to 185 Nm.

The result is faster acceleration, with the 0-100 km/h time reduced by half a second to 10.7 seconds and the 80-120 km/h overtaking benchmark brought down by 0.4 seconds to 8.9 seconds. Where CO₂ emissions are concerned, the impact is modest with the new system achieving a best-in-class 103-122 g/km.

These statistics are only part of the story; equally significant is the impact on the driving experience. Engine, drive motor and hybrid battery performance have all been maximised in the Hybrid 130. This, together with a higher level of torque at all engine speeds, gives the car a more dynamic and responsive feel with acceleration and deceleration performance that adds enjoyment to every drive, whether on urban streets or out on the open road. Drive motor assistance in response to the driver’s use of the accelerator has been enhanced to help produce faithful handling and a linear acceleration feel.

The car’s agile, confidence-inspiring performance is further supported by the capability of its GA-B platform, with the fundamental benefits of a low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body.

The new Hybrid 130 powertrain will be introduced in the high grade models, including the new Premiere Edition and GR SPORT. The line-up will continue to offer the established 116 DIN hp/85 kW hybrid system, now known as the “Hybrid 115”.

The hybrid electric powertrain is the number one deciding factor for people choosing to buy Yaris Cross. With its 100% hybrid line-up and the unique-in-class option of two different powertrains, customers now have more choice than ever to suit their needs.

A QUIETER DRIVE WITH IMPROVED NOISE AND VIBRATION PACKAGE

The new Yaris Cross benefits from a range of additional measures to reduce noise and vibration.

Where engine noise is concerned, four key areas have been the focus for improvement: a dynamic damper has been added to the left-side engine mount; a resonator has been fitted to the intake hose; the inner dash silencer has been changed from a single layer to a three-layer construction; and an extra layer of felt has been added to the cowl top silencer.

To combat wind and road noise, thicker glass is used for the windscreen as well as front and rear side windows.

A COMPLETE DIGITAL USER EXPERIENCE

Access to information, connectivity and entertainment have been transformed with the introduction of a completely new digital user experience. This includes both a driver’s instrument display that can be configured and customised to suit the driver’s preference, and a multimedia system that’s more powerful, quicker to respond and offers a wider range of functions. The displays are class-leading in size: seven or 12.3-inch for the driver’s combimeter, and nine or 10.5-inch for the multimedia touchscreen, depending on grade.

The 12.3-inch combimeter presents dials, information and graphics in sharp definition for good visibility in all light levels. The driver can customise the display’s appearance to suit their mood or the type of journey with four style options: Smart, Casual, Sporty and Tough.

The seven-inch version is standard on Mid and Mid+ grades; the 12.3-inch is featured on high grade, GR SPORT and Premiere Edition models.

The Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system is designed for easy, intuitive use with quicker response to inputs thanks to increased computing power. Its functions include cloud-based navigation as standard, an “always connected” system that accesses up-to-the-moment information on routes, traffic, and delays for better journey planning.

The system has an enhanced, more responsive voice recognition system and an on-board “Hey Toyota” voice agent that can recognise natural, conversational language and requests. For example, say “Hey Toyota, I’m cold” and the system will automatically raise the climate control temperature.

Easy connectivity is designed-in, with wireless smartphone integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As with the Toyota Safety Sense systems, multimedia upgrades and new functions can be seamlessly installed over-the-air.

EASY ACCESS WITH SMART DIGITAL KEY

The Yaris Cross joins the new Yaris hatchback in offering owners the convenience and security of a Smart Digital Key. Linked to the MyT app, this gives up to five users access to the vehicle using their smartphone. The digital key can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle – with no need for the phone to be taken out of the user’s bag or pocket.

The key is compatible with Apple and Android devices and is provided as standard on the Premiere Edition. One year’s connection is included in the car’s purchase price.

The MyT app provides other useful functions, including remote locking/unlocking, pre-journey climate control operation and activation of the hazard lights to help locate vehicle – for example, in a busy car park.

SAFER, LESS STRESSFUL DRIVING WITH TOYOTA T-MATE

Toyota set out to make the current generation Yaris hatchback the safest small car in the world, equipping it with a wealth of active and passive safety provisions and features that can take much of the familiar stress out of driving. The Yaris Cross has benefited from the same wide-ranging Toyota T-Mate package.

Toyota T-Mate is the umbrella term for advanced features that make a car safer and easier to drive and park. In the new Yaris Cross, these have been enhanced and extended to be more effective than ever, including the introduction of the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense systems. These features, often extra-cost options or simply not available on other B-SUV models, are provided as standard throughout the Yaris Cross range.

A new multimedia system and data communications module (DCM) allows software updates to be delivered over-the-air. This means the Toyota Safety Sense and multimedia functions can be seamlessly upgraded, with no need for the car to be taken to a service centre. Downloads can take place while the car is being driven, ready for installation when it’s convenient for the driver.

Using a new camera and radar system which can scan further and wider than before, there’s increased scope for detecting accident risks. For example, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can now recognise a potential head-on impact and a wide range of objects and vehicles in the car’s path, including pedestrians, cyclists and now also motorcycles.

Acceleration Suppression is a new addition to the Toyota Safety Sense portfolio. This intervenes to slow any sudden acceleration when it recognises the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead.

Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is another new feature, designed to help avoid familiar accident hazards when driving at low speed. Deceleration Assist provides smooth deceleration when the driver releases the accelerator to slow down when approaching a slower vehicle ahead, or entering a bend. The second element of PDA is Steering Assist, which recognises a bend in the road ahead and adjusts steering force to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn.

The new Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) is able to support the driver, should they be taken ill or incapacitated. If it detects the driver has made no inputs – steering, braking, accelerating – for a certain amount of time, it will sound a warning. If there is no reaction from the driver, it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.

Toyota T-Mate also provides protection when the car is stationary, With the optional Safe Exit Assist (SEA), a visual and audible warning system helps guard against a door being inadvertently opened into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching from the rear. And the Rear Seat Reminder System (RSRS) will alert the driver with visual and sound warnings if they have left a child or pet on the back seat, helping avoid the risk of “hot car” incidents.

As well as these extra functions, the new Yaris Cross also benefits from upgrades to its established Toyota Safety Sense features. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been revised to respond more quickly and operate with a more natural feel. For example, when another vehicle moves into the car’s lane, deceleration is more gradual.  The vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings have been extended so the driver has more choice to suit their preference, and the system’s curve speed reduction is activated earlier, giving smoother speed control.

New systems have been added to the ACC for safer overtaking: Overtake Prevention Support prevents unintentional overtaking on the wrong side of a vehicle (“undertaking”); and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal Linked Control helps the driver safely re-join the traffic lane at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.

The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) now recognises when the driver has moved out of lane while trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancels its warning function. The lane-centring function of the Lane Trace Assist (LTA) has been adjusted so that its performance has a more natural feel.  The Road Sign Assist has been enhanced so just a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter is all that’s required to match traffic sign information.

ADDED STYLE WITH NEW PREMIERE EDITION

The Yaris Cross’ cool contemporary styling has resonated strongly with customers since launch, capturing the stance and image of an SUV in a car that’s compact and manoeuvrable on urban streets. Its visual appeal is enhanced in a new halo model for the range, the Premiere Edition.

This is offered in an exclusive new Urban Khaki paint finish in a bi-tone execution and with exclusive new 18-inch dark grey/machined five-spoke alloy wheels that enhance the dynamic, rugged look. Inside, upholstery stitching and deco lines on the instrument panel and doors match the green body colour. Platinum Pearl White and Silver Metallic bi-tone options are also available.

Interior seat upholstery has also been refreshed with a new pattern and a soft lower instrument panel covering has been introduced on all grades. A new Juniper Blue paint option is available across the range.

Note: All performance data of the New Yaris Cross is subject to homologation. Final specifications will be confirmed at the full product launch.

The new models have been developed from concept versions which were shown at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, under the supervision of Ogier, who won two of his eight WRC driver’s titles with TGR-WRT, in 2020 and 2021, and Rovanperä, the winner in 2022 and 2023.

Their creation has been inspired by the desire of Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda – alias “Morizo” – to express his respect and gratitude to the drivers “who hone and grow our cars in rallies” and to the teams, the rally organisers and the sport’s fans.

In each car the “Gravel” and “Track” modes featured on the standard GR Yaris have been replaced with settings reprogrammed to reflect each driver’s personal preferences for handling and performance. In addition, each of the special versions has distinctive new exterior and interior styling features.

Both cars are powered by the latest development of the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm of torque, matched to six-speed intelligent manual transmission (6iMT),

Ogier Edition

The Ogier Edition GR Yaris has two new AWD control modes: Morizo and Seb. The Morizo mode has been developed by Morizo (Akio Toyoda) through his rally driving experiences. It is calibrated to help deliver consistent race times under acceleration, partial acceleration and braking. The Seb mode, developed by Ogier, uses the front and rear Torsen limited slip differentials and all-wheel drive to distribute torque to the rear axle so that the back of the car can be swung out with relative ease. This gives the driver a sense of being fully connected with the car and will help them achieve quicker times with high-speed driving body control.

The Ogier Edition’s bodywork has a dedicated Matt Stealth Grey paint finish and features the French national flag (Ogier’s home nation) on the radiator grille and the 18x8J BBS alloy wheels. WRC commemorative stickers are added to the front wings.

The stand-out details also include a new-design carbon fibre CFRP rear spoiler and blue-painted brake callipers. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals have been added to the left and right doors and an Ogier Edition logo to the back door.

Inside, there is a WRC victory commemoration plaque on passenger side of the instrument panel and contrast blue, grey and red stitching (honouring the French national colours) on the steering wheel. Grey stitching is used for the shift and parking brake gaiters and the seat upholstery.

On both special editions, the new GR Yaris’ digital instrumentation has been revised to include the new modes, together with the regular Normal AWD control mode.

Rovanperä Edition

The Rovanperä Edition has a unique Donut Mode, created specifically for the WRC’s youngest champion who is highly skilled in drifting and performing tyre-smoking donuts. Here, the new mode allows for easy driving and “door turns” with a constant, strong torque flow to the rear wheels.

This GR Yaris version also provides Kalle Mode. This uses a constant-velocity rear differential and front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials to produce linear handling characteristics so the back end of the car can be powerfully swung out as it enters a bend and allowing the front to be pulled forward on the throttle on the exit.

The car has an exclusive three-tone paint finish, applied as a series of painted motifs by the designer of Rovanperä’s drift car livery, Henri Liupakka. WRC victory stickers are added to the front wings and there are TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals on the doors and rear bumper and a Rovanperä Edition badge on the back door. As well as BBS 18x8J alloys, the car is fitted with a CFRP variable wing rear spoiler, shared with the GRMN Yaris, and constant-velocity rear differential gears.

In the cabin the trim and upholstery stitching again match the driver’s national colours, in this case blue and grey for Finland. As in the Ogier Edition, a special plaque commemorates TGR’s WRC victory.

The Ogier and Rovanperä Editions will be built in strictly limited numbers. Details of ordering and sales in European markets will be announced at a later date by national distributors.

Summary of Special Editions features