Seven-seater Yaris on the way?

17th December 2008

One of Toyota’s cars is about to get an MPV makeover. But the question is, which will it be?

It’s been more than two years since the firm unveiled its seven-seat hybrid Estima concept. Yet the idea is by no means dead. One source told us: “We’re looking at a seven-seater based on the Prius. It would use a lithium-ion battery, and could be here by 2012.” But technicians behind the iQ say the newcomer could use the city car’s technology to squeeze seven seats into a Yaris! Chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima admitted: “We’re looking to transfer the clever engineering and packaging solutions to more Toyotas.

“For example, we’re working on a seven-seater that’s the size of the Yaris. We can do it, and give limo-like legroom in the back!” Toyota’s smallest seven-seater is currently the Verso, but it’s more than 50cm longer than the Yaris. The iQ’s thin fuel tank – hidden under the driver’s chair – could be carried over, as could the slim seats and compact air-con system.

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