Toyota recently introduced a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine to the Yaris range in Europe, replacing the current 1.3-liter unit.

The company claims that with this, the engine now offers more power, more torque as well as faster acceleration. The new inline-four will also deliver better fuel economy and emit less carbon dioxide emissions.

In the Yaris, the naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine produces a maximum output of 111 PS and a peak torque of 138 Nm at 4,400rpm. Compared to the current 1.3-liter inline-four, the new engine is 0.8 seconds quicker in acceleration from 0 - 100 km/h.

Apart from the boost in power, the new engine also adopts a new variable inlet valve timing system dubbed VVT-iE, which enables the engine to shift from Otto to Atkinson cycle and vice versa. With it, the engine will deliver better performance under high loads. Other features present on the engine include: a 13.5:1 compression ratio, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a water-cooled exhaust manifold which helps further reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Developed in anticipation of the future Euro 6c emissions standard and Real Driving Emission (RDE) homologation requirements, Toyota said that the engine is a member of the brand's Economy with Superior Thermal Efficiency (ESTEC) engine family.

The company said that similar with other Toyota ESTEC engines, the 1.5-liter unit benefits from the latest measures designed to lower friction losses.

The new unit is being manufactured by Toyota Motor Industries Poland as part of a €150 million production investment program by Toyota Motor Europe.