Busy Geneva show stand shows Toyota ‘rejuvenation’

A hybrid variant of the Yaris supermini and a concept city car head a Toyota Geneva show stand that the brand is describing as evidence of its rejuvenation.

The production-ready GT 86 sports coupe will also make its European debut at next month’s show.

The Yaris Hybrid will be shown in production-ready form ahead of going on sale in June. Presented as Europe’s first full hybrid supermini, it is powered by a re-engineered version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy powertrain.

The car’s creators say it will deliver a quiet, smooth performance with the lowest emissions in its segment, while maintaining the small-but-spacious quality of the Yaris.

The FT-Bh concept, making its world debut, is described as an ultra-lightweight, city car study. According to Toyota the aim of the study was to achieve low emissions whilst staying within an economically viable production framework.

The GT 86, on sale this summer, is making its European debut after its unveiling at the Detroit show earlier this month, while also being shown in Europe for the first time are the NS4, FCV-R and diji concepts.

The NS4 is a plug-in hybrid, and the FCV-R both look towards modern technologies, with the next-generation plug-in NS4 and the FCV-R a hydrogen-powered vehicles, paving the way for saloon-type fuel cell vehicle which Toyota plans to launch by 2015.

The diji, meanwhile, (right), is a fashion-led car – completely based around personalisation, with the entire body designed as a display – the driver can change the colour and content of both the inside and outside of the car at will.

According to Toyota the process of displaying images or information will be; “as simple as downloading an app.”

CarandVanNews will be reporting directly from the Geneva show halls on press day – check back for all the important new models.

Words by: Andrew Charman