Toyota Introduces the 2018 Auris Range

The British-built Toyota Auris range has been refreshed for 2018 with a tighter focus on its in-demand powertrains and equipment grades.

The line-up of hatchback and Touring Sports wagon models enters the New Year with a choice of two powertrains. Leading the way is the 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid, currently the choice of almost three quarters of UK Auris customers.

The second option is the technologically advanced, direct-injection 1.2T turbocharged petrol engine, available with either six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission.

Where equipment specifications are concerned, the Active grade has been discontinued, making Icon an impressive entry point to the line-up. For both hatch and wagon this delivers 16-inch alloys, a reversing camera, front fog lights, power windows, six-speaker audio with DAB, automatic air conditioning and a shark fin antenna, all as standard. The Toyota Safety Sense package provides a Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist.

Icon Tech models match this specification and add cruise control and Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding navigation and connectivity functions to the multimedia system.

Design grade increases the style factor with 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, black side sills, Alcantara upholstery, sports front seats and rear privacy glass, together with cruise control. It also increases the convenience factor with the addition of front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto-folding door mirrors, dusk-sensing headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

At the top of the range, Excel models display numerous advanced technology features, including a more sophisticated Toyota Touch 2 with Go package, which includes voice command and text-to-speech functions and 3D mapping. Additional features include Intelligent Park Assist, LED headlights, smart entry and push-button start, heated leather seats and dual-zone climate control.

In addition, customers can choose a Design Bitone version of the hatchback which features a two-colour exterior paint finish, combining a black roof, shark fin antenna and spoiler with bodywork in Tokyo Red, Aspen Grey, Pearl White and Manhattan Grey – the latter a new addition to the general colour range as well. In other respects, the equipment specification matches the Design Grade.

The 2018 Auris hybrid models are on sale from 1 December with the 1.2T versions available from early in the New Year.