Auris: The New Toyota

KEY POINTS

• Auris – a new name for an all-new family hatchback from Toyota
• “Inside-out” design approach maximises usable interior space
• 1.4-litre VVT-i and new 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engines
• Three diesel engines – 1.4-litre D-4D 90, 2.0-litre D-4D 130 and 2.2-litre D-4D 180
• New suspension, with dedicated multilink rear suspension for Auris T180
• Nine airbags standard on all models, including driver’s knee airbag
• Top Euro NCAP five-star safety rating for adult occupant protection
• Five-door Auris built at Burnaston in the UK
• On-the-road prices from £11,995
• On sale in the UK from 1 February, T180 and three-door models from 1 April

Auris is a new name for an all-new Toyota, a family hatchback designed, developed and engineered for the European market. The best selling models will be built in Europe too, with the most popular models coming from Toyota’s Burnaston factory near Derby. Distinctively styled, and delivering first class safety and driving performance, Auris is set to transform Toyota’s profile in one of the most significant and competitive market sectors.

Built on a new platform, Auris is available in three and five-door body styles and with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, three transmissions and four model grades: T2, T3, T Spirit and the flagship T180. Sales start on 1 February, with T180 and three-door models joining the line-up from 1 April. Prices are from £11,995 on the road (T2 1.4 VVT-i three-door). In 2007, Toyota aims to sell around 22,000 Auris in the UK.

DESIGN

Auris was created at Toyota’s European design studio ED2 and has a distinctively “short and tall” shape, its class-leading height contributing to excellent headroom and comfort for all passengers.

The designers worked from the inside out, to make the best possible use of interior space for both comfort and practicality. This is particularly effective in the rear, where clever design of the exhaust system has allowed for a flat floor.

Auris has a highly efficient aerodynamic shape, which contributes to vehicle stability, low levels of noise and fuel economy.

SAFETY

Auris follows the pattern set by the latest generation of Toyota models in adopting the Minimal Intrusion Cabin System (MICS), ensuring a basic construction that enables impact forces from an accident to be absorbed and channelled away from the passenger cell.

The effectiveness of the safety provisions is reflected in independent Euro NCAP crash test ratings that are among the very best in the C-segment. Auris is the fifth Toyota to gain the top five-star award for adult occupant protection, with four stars for child occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian safety.

Special attention has been paid to reducing the risk of injury to pedestrians, with impact absorbing qualities built in to the bonnet structure and bumper and radiator mounts and a crushable structure fitted to the back edge of the bonnet.

Active safety features include ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA) fitted as standard on all versions. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), with Traction Control (TRC), is provided on T180 models, and is available as an option on all other versions.

All Auris models benefit from nine airbags, including a first-in-class driver’s knee airbag as standard. The front seats and head restraints are constructed to Toyota’s latest-generation Whiplash Injury Lessening design, while in the rear, Isofix child seat mounts are provided.

EQUIPMENT

All models feature air conditioning, reclining and split-folding rear seat, electric front windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, remote central locking and a sound system with CD player that can play digital music files stored on disc.

T3 versions gain 16-inch alloy wheels, colour-keyed door mirrors and handles, front fog lamps, heated door mirrors, leather trim on the steering wheel and gear shift knob, electric rear windows (five-door models), audio controls on the steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system.

T Spirit grade introduces automatic headlights and wipers, dual zone climate control, Toyota’s Smart Entry and Start system, cruise control and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. The T180 has smoked glass headlamps, dedicated interior trim, 17-inch alloy wheels and sunroof, in addition to the T Spirit specification.

RIDE AND HANDLING

Auris uses new front and rear suspension systems engineered to deliver ride comfort, stability and rewarding handling performance. At the front an L-arm MacPherson strut arrangement is common to all versions, while at the rear a compact torsion beam is deployed, with springs and dampers located independently, to avoid intrusion in the boot space. The T180 differs from other models in using a multi-link rear suspension, designed for better dynamic performance in line with its higher performance capabilities.

Auris uses a new Electric Power Steering (EPS) system with a quick (14.44) ratio and speed-sensitive feel. Requiring just 2.9 turns lock-to-lock, it gives precise and instant driver control.

POWERTRAINS AND PERFORMANCE

The Auris range offers performance and economy; 130mph and 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds for the T180 while the 1.4 diesel records 56.5mpg on the combined cycle.

Three Diesels

Flagship engine of the range is the 2.2-litre D-4D 180, one of the most advanced diesel engines available on the market. This 175bhp (177 DIN hp) power plant is exclusive to the Auris T180. Matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, it produces 400Nm of torque between 2,000 and 2,600rpm, giving acceleration from rest to 62mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, with combined cycle fuel economy of 45.6mpg.

The D-4D 180 is equipped with Toyota’s D-CAT clean diesel technology, which includes a maintenance-free four-way DPNR catalyst that reduces nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions to class-leading low levels.

The 1.4-litre D-4D 90 eight-valve diesel engine is capable of 56.5mpg (combined cycle). Ideally suited for town driving, its urban cycle consumption is more than 40mpg, with carbon dioxide emissions of 132g/km. Auris is also available with a 2.0-litre D-4D 130 engine, a multivalve unit that delivers 124bhp (126 DIN hp). This engine’s qualities are already well-proven in the Avensis, combining high torque (300Nm between 2,000 and 2,800rpm) and low noise levels. The nought to 62mph acceleration benchmark is reached in 10.3 seconds, with fuel economy of 52.3mpg (combined cycle).

Petrol Engines

The principal petrol engine is a new 1.6-litre petrol unit with Dual VVT-i: an intelligent, variable timing system for both inlet and exhaust valves that improves fuel efficiency and power output across a wide range of engine speeds. Expected to be the most popular engine choice in the range, this 122bhp (124 DIN hp) four-cylinder unit produces 157Nm of torque, giving nought to 62mph acceleration in 10.4 seconds, a top speed of 118mph and combined cycle fuel consumption of 39.8mpg.

The entry point to the petrol range is Toyota’s 96bhp (97 DIN hp) 1.4-litre VVT-i engine, which delivers 40.9mpg (combined cycle), acceleration to 62mph in 13.0 seconds and a maximum 106mph.

Three transmissions are offered: five-speed manual for the 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and D-4D 90 diesel engines; six-speed manual for the D-4D 130 and 180 engines; and the option of Toyota’s MultiMode transmission on the 1.6 Dual VVT-i and D-4D 90 engines.

EXTRA VALUE AURIS TR

From launch, the Auris range will include a special TR model, designed to offer customers extra value. The TR specification is based on that of the T3 grade, with the addition of scuff plates and extra chrome detailing at the rear of the car. In spite of these extra features, the TR models are priced £1,000 less than their T3 equivalents.

The TR is available with the 1.6 Dual VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D 130 diesel engines, in three and five-door body styles, priced from £12,495 on the road.

PRICING AND INSURANCE

TOYOTA AURIS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENDS