Toyota Yaris gets new 1.5 litre engine that’s quicker and more economical

Toyota is introducing a new 1.5 litre petrol engine for the Yaris, replacing the current 1.33 litre, which is more powerful and more economical.

Toyota is bucking the downsizing trend with a new engine for the Yaris, replacing the current 1.33 litre petrol with a 1.5 litre unit.

Toyota has built the new engine to tackle the forthcoming Euro 6c emissions and Real Driving Emission (RDE) requirements, which are expected to yield some ‘interesting’ results.

The new engine will be built at Toyota’s plant in Poland as part of a €150 million investment with, say Toyota, better performance and a more enjoyable drive and an improvement in economy of 12 per cent over the current 1.33 litre engine.

The 1.5 litre engine produces 110bhp and 100lb/ft of torque (at 4400rpm) making it more responsive and more enjoyable to drive.

Those characteristics translate in to acceleration to 62mph of 11 seconds (0.8s quicker) and 50mph to 70mph in 17.6 seconds (1.2 seconds quicker).

Economy is helped by some clever tricks, including a water-cooled exhaust manifold said to boost efficiency at motorway speeds, thermal efficiency of 38.5 per cent thanks in no small part to the ability to switch between Otto and Atkinson cycles thanks to new Variable Valve Timing.

Interestingly, there are rumours that this engine could be getting a turbo, for up to 210bhp, and be planted in the new Yaris Gazoo we’re expecting to arrive in Geneva in March.