Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the new Yaris sedan at an introductory price starting at Rs 875,000 and going upwards to Rs 14,07,000 (ex-showroom India). The carmaker has also opened bookings for the car at Rs 50,000. Deliveries will begin next month.

The Yaris comes with a single petrol engine option. The 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine develops 107hp and 140Nm of peak torque and is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or the optional 7-step CVT automatic gearbox.

The Yaris gets some segment-first features like gesture control for the touchscreen infotainment system, a tyre pressure monitoring system, 60:40 rear seat split, adjustable three-neck restraints for the rear seat, roof-mounted rear air-con with ambient lighting, a powered driver’s seat and front parking sensors. Paddle shifters are on offer on the higher-spec automatic trims.

On the safety front, the new Yaris gets all-wheel disc brakes, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags (including a driver knee airbag), Hill-Start Assist, ABS, EBD and ESP.

According to N Raja, deputy managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, “The Toyota Yaris has already won nationwide appreciation for its class-leading features, superior comfort, top-notch quality and excellent performance. As a sedan with great individuality and intuitive functions for people who constantly seek for something better, we aim to offer quality that exceeds its class.  We hope customers will accept the Toyota Yaris for the value propositions it has to offer in the segment.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which has a 4.28 percent passenger vehicle market share, sold a total of 140,645 units in FY2018, down 1.90 percent year on year. In the booming Indian passenger vehicle market, the company will be banking on the stylish Yaris to give it new momentum.    

In India, the new Yaris will go head to head with the petrol variants of the Honda City (Rs 8.71- 13.70 lakh), Maruti Ciaz (Rs 7.83-10.63 lakh), Hyundai Verna (Rs 7.99-12.56 lakh), Volkswagen Vento (Rs 8.19-12.49 lakh) and Skoda Rapid (Rs 8.36-12.21 lakh), (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). 

The midsize sedan battle just turned more exciting. Stay tuned. 

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