In a single teaser image released earlier this week, the Japanese auto giant stated that the forthcoming model will take inspiration from the Yaris it will be using on its return to World Rally Championship in 2017.
While little else about the hot Yaris is known, British weekly Auto Express reports it could make its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, with power either coming from petrol / hybrid powertrain or a 1.5-litre turbo used in the race-prep C-HR that finished third in class and 84th overall at the recent Nürburgring 24 hours.
Drivers and rivals
Returning to the WRC for the first since departing in 1999 to focus on Formula 1, Toyota also announced that Jari-Matti Latvala would join Juho Hänninen and hot-shot Esapekka Lappi in an all Finish line-up to drive the Gazoo Racing Yaris WRC, while former four-time world champion Tommi Makinen will be team principal.
Latvala's confirmation at the official unveiling in Helsinki on Tuesday evening, comes after the Finn and current champion Sebastian Ogier were left without drives following champions Volkswagen's shock decision to leave the WRC at the end of this year as a cost cutting measure in light of the ongoing emissions scandal.
Ogier has since been confirmed as the new lead driver to head-up rivals M-Sport's campaign with the new Ford Fiesta alongside Estonian Ott Tanak, while Citroen Sport will return after a one-year absence with its new DS3 in the hands of Ulsterman Kris Meeke.
Hyundai Sport will be the fourth big name competing in the WRC next year with the unchanged pairings of Belgians Tierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul, Spaniards Daniel Sordo / Marc Marti and Kiwis Hayden Paddon / John Kennard campaigning the recently unveiled new i20 N WRC.
