Toyota Yaris in Oz won't get new engine

Update, January 25, 2017: Toyota Australia has advised that the 1.5-litre engine reported in this story won't be offered when the facelifted Yaris goes on sale in coming months. Both the current engines will carry over in the update model. The 1.3-litre engine will continue to produce 63kW/121Nm and the 1.5-litre engine's output will remain at 80kW/141Nm.

Toyota has released full technical specifications for an advanced new 1.5-litre that will be introduced with the facelifted Yaris supermini recently revealed.

The new four-cylinder will replace the current 1.3-litre.

Set to go on sale in Australia this March under the bonnet of the revised five-door hatch, the new engine is claimed to generate 82kW/136Nm - significantly more than the current 1.3-litre's 63kW/121Nm.

The extra power is reflected in the 11.0-second 0-100km/h time - 0.8sec faster than the old engine.

Perhaps more impressive is the overtaking time from 80 to 120km/h; the engine's greater torque sees the Yaris record a sprint of 17.6sec versus the old car's 18.8sec time.

As well as performance, the new engine is also claimed to be a leader for efficiency.

The increased efficiency is down to a high compression ratio of 13.5:1, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, revised extended variable valve timing and the ability to switch from Otto to Atkinson cycle combustion.

The 1.5-litre also comes equipped with Toyota's first water-cooled exhaust manifold, which is claimed to boost efficiency at highway speeds under constant throttle. The efficiency gains are said to come from cooler exhaust gases that allow a lower fuel-air mix, that further reduces heat losses.

Toyota hasn't released fuel consumption figures but says the new engine increases efficiency by 12 per cent over the current car's 6.4L/100km.

The new 1.5-litre has also been rumoured to provide the base for the 155kW engine that will power the Yaris hot hatch that’s due be officially unveiled at March's Geneva motor show.