Toyota Australia Confirms Five New Models Over Next 18 Months

Days out from the opening of this week's Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Melbourne, Toyota Australia has confirmed it will introduce five new models over the next 18 months.

First cab off the rank is the all-new 2012 Yaris light car, revealed late last year and on sale in Japan now. A fourth-quarter Australian launch was expected, but Toyota has confirmed today that we will see the new Yaris in local showrooms by the third quarter of this year.

The updated-for-2012 Hilux (pictured here from today's Toyota press conference) will follow the Yaris in September. Among its updates will be new headlights and bumpers, a new grille, updated quarter panels and a new bonnet scoop.

Local specifications for the Hilux will be confirmed closer to launch, although the top-selling pickup is expected to pick up electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes as standard equipment.

Next year, Toyota will bolster its Australian hybrid range with the introduction of the Prius V wagon, described as a "more family-friendly variant", bringing greater storage capacity and passenger space.

Official fuel consumption figures are still to be confirmed, but Toyota says it expects the Prius V hybrid to list a miserly 5.0 l/100km.

The Prius C concept will also enter production in 2012, with an Australian launch confirmed. The compact hybrid citycar had been scheduled to appear at AIMS to gauge buyer interest, but today's news confirms the third Prius model has been promoted to a production schedule.

And at long last, the one car the company's sports-car fans have been hotly anticipating: the FT-86 sports coupe. Toyota Australia has confirmed that the entry-level rear-wheel-drive FT-86 is slated for a mid-2012 Australian launch, with pricing and specs to be revealed next year.

The FT-86 will make its production debut at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in December.

The Australian International Motor Show opens at 6pm on Friday 1 July and runs through until Sunday 10 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Other new models and concepts confirmed for the 2011 AIMS include the 2012 Subaru Impreza, Toyota Prius V and Prius C, the Suzuki Swift S-Concept, the Peugeot 508, the Range Rover Evoque, the Toyota FT-86 II Concept, the 2012 Audi A6 and the 2012 Jaguar XF. 

Appearances have also been confirmed for the all-new Lamborghini Aventador, the Lexus LF-Gh concept, the Mazda Shinari concept, and a preview of Australian carmaker JOSS Developments' upcoming JT1 supercar.

Follow TMR's coverage of the 2011 show at our special AIMS-dedicated page, and on our Twitter page.