Forget street racing. Although it gets a 1.8-litre engine, the new Yaris flagship is "only for adults".

The Yaris TS, which couples the Dual VVTi petrol lump to six-speed manual transmission, is intended to provide enjoyable driving, low fuel consumption and sophisticated refinement ? more subtle than aggressive in its approach to sports styling.

From the front the Yaris TS is distinguished by new styling for the front bumper, headlights, and grille. The front bumper is sculpted into the wheel wells, with the aero refinement carried through to the rear of the car with styled side skirts. The rear end treatment includes a roof spoiler and aero-efficient bumper for a wide and low centre appearance. A 100mm diametre exhaust adds to the sporty appeal.

Inside the refined sports theme continues: high-grade sports style seats, Optitron analogue instrumentation with red-coloured indicator needles, air conditioning and radio/CD combination.

This new 1.8-litre engine complements the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre units already included in the Yaris range. It produces 98kW at 6000rpm with torque of 173Nm at 4400rpm. Significantly 90 percent of the maximum torque output is available from 2000rpm through to 6000rpm to increase mid-range pulling power.

While the Dual VVT-i system provides for this wide torque range, it also boosts top-end power for a lively feel and improved acceleration. Top speed is close to 200km/h whilst acceleration from rest to 100 km/h is around nine seconds. This performance comes together with a fuel consumption figure of 7.0l/100km with a CO2 output of 164g/km.

The front suspension follows the proven L-arm MacPherson strut layout featured across the Yaris range but is fine tuned in keeping with the sportier nature of the Yaris TS. The rear suspension also remains true to the proven Yaris concept of a lightweight and compact torsion beam system.

Separate mounting points for the springs and shock absorbers help achieve a low flat floor and short overhang, features common across the Yaris range.

Common too is the electric power steering system (EPS), but this is enhanced for its application in the TS. A higher steering ratio is used for more precise control while the characteristics of the EPS are adapted to the higher steering ratio and the 17-inch wheels fitted with 205/45 R17 tyres. Large diametre disc brakes are fitted all round, ventilated at the front and solid at the rear.