Toyota's stand at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show features two very important new cars for the Japanese manufacturer. Both the RAV4 compact SUV and the Yaris supermini are to be replaced by all new cars, debuting at the show next month.

As expected, the Yaris has grown, making more space below it for the new Aygo city car. Indeed, glancing at the pictures you may think that you are looking at a Corolla. The styling, carried out in Toyota's design studio in France, is inoffensive, but not very interesting and the nose now looks quite MPV-like. Toyota is pushing comfort, quality and safety with the new Yaris, so expect a good showing in the benchmark Euro NCAP safety tests. The new Yaris will be made in France, with UK sales starting early in 2006.

The new, third generation, RAV4 goes on sale about the same time charged with maintaining the car's success in Europe; the RAV4 has topped the 4x4 sales charts for the past four years and will see stiff competition from the likes of the new Suzuki Grand Vitara. Toyota claims that quality, performance, and interior space have all improved, as has the driving experience. The UK range has yet to be announced, but we expect it to have a couple of diesel engine options as well as a 2-litre petrol version.

Toyota is rolling out diesel versions of other models at the Frankfurt Show, with two new engines offered in the Corolla Verso MPV. The advanced 2.2-litre D-4D engine will be available with either 134bhp or 175bhp, while the Aygo city car will be at the show with a 1.4-litre turbodiesel engine due to go on sale early in 2006.

An advanced city car concept will also be shown on the Toyota stand. Called the Endo, this concept features a very flexible interior (though it doesn't look very comfortable), a new instrument display system and easy access doors. The Endo shows what a future Aygo might look like.

Shane O' Donoghue - 29 Aug 2005