A hybrid prototype to be shown at Frankfurt this week will showcase the new direction, partly dictated by the fall in proportion of diesel engine in Europe.
The car will have a 2.0 petrol engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack which will be recharged on the move.
It's understood the car won't be a plug-in hybrid.
The move follows Toyota's lead in not offering a diesel version of its CH-R small SUV. And diesel versions of the RAV 4 are now down to 25pc in the UK, in favour of hybrid powertrains.
