Finally we have a Toyota that can take the fight to the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna. It is not so surprising that sedan buyers are already adding it to their shortlists. However, if you happen to be waiting for a diesel-engined Yaris then you are in for a dismay as it may not happen at all.

The Yaris was unveiled at Auto Expo 2018 with a 1.5-litre, 108hp, four-cylinder petrol engine. During this launch, Toyota officials chose to stay tight-lipped on the prospect of there being a diesel Yaris in the future as they face the situation of launching new products before the new BS-VI emission norms kick in.

The Yaris will be offered with the option of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed (step) CVT, and will also feature some segment-firsts, such as a powered driver's seat and front parking sensors, among others. Toyota's City fighter is expected to be priced between Rs 8.4 - 13.5 lakh when it is launched in the month of May.

Problem :

As of now, the only small-capacity diesel Toyota offers in India is the 1.4-litre unit that does duty in the Etios twins and in the Corolla. The 1.4 isn't BS-VI-compliant, and may even be dropped from the Etios and Corolla ranges come 2020. While it is still studying the situation, Toyota is uncertain about developing a new, BS-VI-compliant engine as it would entail significant investment and drive the diesel variant's price to a point where it'd become uncompetitive.

Toyota maintains that customers in the segment are, increasingly moving for petrol models over diesel models, and the overall share of the diesel variant in total sales may be far too small to justify the additional investment. It is more likely that Toyota may opt to introduce a hybrid version of the Yaris. But even that will likely be some time away.