Toyota has released a teaser video of the 2018
Toyota Yaris and announced that it will launch the new model in Thailand on 14
September 2017. The facelifted Yaris hatchback will hit the Thai market less
than a month after the Yaris ATIV.
The teaser video reveals that the facelift will
bring a host of design changes to the Toyota Yaris hatchback. The 2018 Toyota
Yaris has a Toyota Yaris Ativ inspired front. New sweptback headlamps,
redesigned upper grille, bigger, V-shaped lower grille with LED DRLs on top of
them and remodelled bumper with elongated fog lamp housing give the hatchback’s
face a completely new look.
Unusual for a facelift, the 2018 Toyota Yaris has
notable changes on the sides too. The beltline is raised at the rear and the
roofline looks sloping further below at the C-pillar. This makes the greenhouse
sleeker and resultantly makes the car look sportier now. At the rear, the teaser
image shows new wraparound tail lamps and accordingly redesigned tailgate.
Lastly, there’s a new lime green colour added to the paint options. The
interior should mirror that of the Yaris ATIV now.
The current Thai-spec Toyota Yaris hatchback is
powered by the 3NR-FE 1.2-litre Dual VVT-i engine. This four-cylinder petrol
engine develops 86 PS and 108 Nm of torque and sends drive to the wheels via a
continuously variable transmission. This configuration should remain unchanged
post facelift. Local reports suggest that Toyota will level up the safety,
offering VSC, TRC, HAC and seven airbags also now.