Earlier this year we got a glimpse of the next-generation Yaris for the first time as it took on the Nürburgring in test mule guise.
That prototype hinted at a performance version. We can now confirm that this was indeed the case, as the upcoming Yaris has made another appearance on the “Green Hell” this morning – and this time it brought along its final production bodywork.
It gets better, as the sporty looking prototype (most likely the GR Sport version) was not the only Yaris version our photographers snapped earlier today. Alongside the prototype with gold wheels wearing typical Toyota Gazoo Racing camouflage, there was a second prototype: a Yaris Hybrid.
How do we know that the black and white car is a hybrid? According to our photographers, the yellow round sticker on the rear window were a dead giveaway.
As you can see, both versions feature a new exterior design that appears to be more emotional than Europe’s current Yaris hatchback that was launched in 2011. The new supermini adopts more athletic proportions and a new face, with a two-piece grille and sleeker horizontal headlights.
Seen from the side, the car has flared fenders, an ascending window line towards the rear end and many creases on the doors,one of which ends in the taillights. We can’t really guess the shape of the those yet, but, judging by the bulge right beneath the rear window, we’re inclined to believe they are united by an illuminated strip. As for the interior, our photographers only managed to get a shot of the Yaris Hybrid’s dashboard, which is dominated by a big touchscreen display with buttons on each side.
For now, there are no details regarding the powertrains, though we should learn more in the coming months, due to the fact that the all-new, Euro-spec Yaris (North America recently got a Mazda2-based model) is expected to debut sometime in 2020.