Auris Alla Bolognese Tops Motor Show Menu

KEY POINTS

• Public debut for new Toyota Auris at the Bologna Motor Show
• All-new chassis and suspension
• Electric power steering
• First model in class to provide driver’s knee airbag as standard
• Preliminary engine and performance specifications announced

The new Toyota Auris makes its European debut this week at the Bologna motor show in Italy, ahead of UK sales starting on 1 February next year. Designed and built in Europe, the new C-segment family hatchback marks significant advances in dynamic ability, interior style and practicality and safety.

The unveiling of the production model follows the presentation of Toyota’s Auris Space Concept at the Paris motor show earlier this year. Full details of UK specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the model’s on-sale date.

NEW CHASSIS

Auris is built on an all-new platform and is larger in every dimension than the Toyota Corolla. A special focus on reducing NVH characteristics make it one of the quietest cars in its class, with strengthening of the underbody reducing boom and road noise and efficient aerodynamics cutting the level of wind noise.

SUSPENSION AND STEERING

New suspension systems have been developed for the Auris with an L-arm MacPherson strut arrangement at the front and a torsion beam at the rear.

In line with its position as the performance flagship of the range, the Auris D-4D 180 makes exclusive use of a new double wishbone rear suspension and rear anti-roll bar for more dynamic driving character.

All versions of the Auris adopt Electric Power Steering (EPS), giving excellent response to driver inputs.

INTERIOR DESIGN

As witnessed in the Auris Space Concept, the designers have worked from the inside out, in order to make best use of the space available for storage points and passenger comfort. A key feature of their innovative approach is a striking bridge-shaped console that raises the gear lever higher on the dashboard, closer to the driver, and integrates the handbrake, creating more open space below.

Comfort for rear seat passengers is increased thanks to a larger couple distance between the front and rear seats than in the Corolla, giving extra legroom. Head and shoulder room are also better, due to the Auris’s greater cabin height. Clever design has also eliminated the tunnel carrying the exhaust system, giving a flat rear floor and thus more comfortable accommodation for any centre rear seat passenger.

SAFETY

The strong body structure uses Toyota’s MICS (Minimum Intrusion Cabin System) to provide effective challenging and absorption of impact forces away from the passenger cell in the event of an impact.

Up to nine airbags will be fitted, with a driver’s knee airbag provided as standard – a first-in-class feature. Active safety elements on all versions include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), with higher grade models additionally equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) systems.

ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS

Auris will be launched with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, with outputs ranging from 89bhp (90 DIN hp) for the 1.4-litre D-4D 90 to 175bhp (177 DIN hp) for the
2.2-litre D-4D 180.

The D-4D 180, already a star performer in the Avensis, RAV4 and Verso, endows Auris with a strong mixture of power, fuel efficiency and low emissions. Using Toyota’s D-CAT clean diesel technology, it achieves unmatched low levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, far below the levels set by Euro IV. Preliminary performance data show nought to 62mph acceleration takes 8.1 seconds and combined cycle fuel consumption is 45.6mpg.

ENDS