This platform allows for variable wheelbase lengths, widths and heights which will allow Toyota to use this platform for different body styles beyond the Yaris.
Toyota has already started working on the next-generation Yaris for the international market and it is slated for its debut in 2020. Toyota has now revealed a new platform that will be underpinning the next-gen Yaris. This platform has been dubbed the GA-B and is essentially a development of the TNGA platform that underpins most of Toyota’s European cars, ranging from the Prius and Corolla to the Camry and the RAV4.
The GA-B platform essentially allows for variable wheelbase, lengths, widths and heights, which suggests that Toyota intends to expand its small car lineup with different body styles beyond the Yaris. Designers will have the freedom to give each car a very distinctive and individual look with this platform.
Toyota claims that the GA-B has a ‘highly rigid underbody’, thanks to advanced structural build techniques. The platform also allows for different suspension layouts, including either torsion beam or multi-link suspension. This also suggest that Toyota could be using this platform for more expensive cars with an advanced setup as well.
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Another focus in this architecture has been to lower the center of gravity. The driver’s seat would be mounted as low and back and towards the center as possible with the steering being positioned close to the drive for a “more engaging driving position”. The platform also allows for the cars to be designed lower and wider. In fact, spy shots of the next-gen Yaris prototype suggest that the car is actually significantly lower and wider than the current model.
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Although not official yet, but Toyota might consider expanding into the B-segment crossover market after the new Yaris arrives. This could be positioned below the CH-R. Meanwhile, Toyota recently launched the current-gen Yaris in India with some new variants and some additional features to still keep it competitive in its class.
