The Toyota Yaris doesn’t exactly raise many eyebrows around here, what with its measly 106-hp output and staid design. As Toyota’s own ad campaign for the Yaris aptly stated a few years ago, “It’s a car!” Well, it’s about to be a significantly more enticing car, thanks to a new hotted-up version of the Yaris that’s making its debut for the European market.
Not much information is available at this point beyond the fact that the new high-performance Yaris will offer more than 207 horsepower—a whole lot of grunt for a 2400-pound hatch. We suspect that this big power boost comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The unnamed hot Yaris, which is based on the two-door version of the hatchback, also has sharp-looking wheels, a rear spoiler, a red-and-black graphics package, and some slight revisions to the front and rear styling. Toyota also claims that it has modified the car’s chassis for improved handling but without explaining how it did so.
We’ll learn more about the Yaris soon enough, as it will make its debut in March at the Geneva auto show. Toyota is mum on whether or not the sportier Yaris has a chance of making it to the United States; we think it’s unlikely but not impossible. Here, the Yaris would go up against the spunky Ford Fiesta ST, the Mini Cooper S, and the Fiat 500 Abarth. If it does make it to America, this Yaris would give Toyota another opportunity to court enthusiasts beyond the 86 sports car (previously known as the Scion FR-S). Let’s hope that Akio Toyoda’s commitment to making Toyota less boring stretches all the way down to the company’s most humble offering.
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