GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Toyota teases autonomous i-TRIL Concept

Toyota has released a single teaser image of the i-TRIL Concept, an all-electric autonomous vehicle now confirmed to make its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 7.

The i-TRIL, which features a one-plus-two-seat cabin layout, is claimed to offer "an alternative to city cars, other electric vehicles and motorcycles".

"The i-TRIL Concept is aimed at people who want to have fun even while driving at slow speeds around cities and is also capable of operating autonomously," said the Japanese car-maker in a press release tonight.

Developed by Toyota Motor Europe in collaboration with the company's ED2 design studio in Nice, the three-seat i-TRIL incorporates the same Active Lean technology seen in Toyota's i-Road prototype, which leans into corners "to provide high levels of stability, safety and comfort".

Also confirmed for its Geneva show debut next month is the Yaris GRMN hot hatch, based on the facelifted 2017 Yaris revealed in January.

While the upgraded Yaris goes on sale here in March, Toyota Australia has already ruled out a local release for the Japanese giant's first bona-fide Yaris hot hatch.

That's a pity, because the car-maker has just announced the Europe-focussed hottie – which Toyota says is inspired and influenced by its return to world rallying – will pack a supercharged 1.8-litre engine producing "more than 156kW".

That means Toyota's first hot hatch in more than a decade will out-power direct rivals -- at least in Europe -- like the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS200 and Peugeot 208 GTi.