(July 13, 2011) An all-new third generation Toyota Yaris, which appears considerably more stylish than the current generation, will go on sale in the UK and Europe around Sept. 1, Toyota announced this week.

The sub-compact 2012 Yaris probably won't hit U.S. showrooms until near the end of the year.



In a sales call with dealers on July 1, Toyota vice president Don Esmond confirmed that a new version of the Yaris is arriving in the U.S. market soon. “There will be a new Yaris in Toyota dealerships by the end of the year,” Esmond said.

The current Yaris won praise for its roomy interior, durability and versatility, the efficiency of its engines and its easy-to-drive character around town. The new Yaris will consolidate these strengths and go further to offer sharper, contemporary styling, a step-up in quality, even greater agility and a breakthrough in affordable multimedia connectivity with Toyota Touch and Go, Toyota says.

The Toyota Touch audio system, including touchscreen controls, is fitted as standard to all but the entry level new Yaris model in the UK, additionally providing Bluetooth, a USB port and a rear parking camera. This can be upgraded to the Toyota Touch and Go system which provides full map satellite navigation and access to a range of connected information services that can be accessed and downloaded via a dedicated Toyota customer portal.

In Europe, the 2012 Yaris is offered with a 1.0-liter VVT-i and 1.3-liter dual VVT-i gasoline engines and a 1.4-liter D-4D diesel. In the U.S. it is rumored that the Yaris will continue to offer the current 1.5-liter 4-cylinder as the base engine. In its current form it generates 106 horsepower and is rated at 29 mpg city and 36 highway. Expect improved gas mileage from the 2012 version.