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New Toyota Auris: first pictures and details
20th August 2012
The new hatchback, which will be built at the Burnaston factory in Derbyshire, will be one of the main attractions at the Paris motor show in September. But we are delighted to be able to share some early details about the car.
As this first picture shows, it has much sharper exterior styling than the current model, in line with the latest Toyota design cues that we’ve seen in new Yaris and Yaris Hybrid. It adopts the new Toyota “face” with its strong grille design and sharp-edged headlights.
It’s 30mm longer than the current model, and its height has been reduced by 55mm, making it one of the lowest cars in its class. That doesn’t just make for a more eye-catching appearance, it also plays a part in achieving better driving dynamics and handling, by lowering the car’s centre of gravity – something achieved to great effect in the GT86.
The side-on view has been made stronger, too, with the glazing extended across three panels. The tailgate opens wider and has a sculpted look, with concave and convex surfaces. The wrap-around rear lamp clusters are new, too, as is the design of the rear bumper.
Overall, the body has been made more aerodynamically efficient, which helps improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.
The interior is all about more space and higher quality, with no detail escaping the designers’ attention. Clever packaging means there is more space in the cabin, particularly for rear seat passengers who gain an extra 20mm of kneeroom. All round you will find higher quality and soft-touch materials, from a stitched nappa leather steering wheel trim to padded armrests and fabric trims on the pillars.
Details of UK specifications are yet to be finalised, but new Auris will introduce Skyview, one of the largest panoramic roofs in the compact hatchback market. The designers were also keen to give the car a strong sense of visual unity, reflected in the consistency of the interior lighting, colours, finishes and even the font used for the graphics.
There is more space in the boot, with 90mm added to the loadspace length. Capacity is increased to 360 litres – and that goes for Auris Hybrid as well. By relocating the battery pack beneath the rear seat, the hybrid gains an extra 127 litres to equal its petrol and diesel-powered sister models in load-carrying ability.
Toyota was the first manufacturer to offer a compact hatchback with choice of three powertrains this continues with the new model. Efficiency and dynamic improvements have been made to the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, in Auris Hybrid. In the UK the new model will also feature 1.4-litre diesel and 1.33 and 1.6-litre petrol engines.
The steering and suspension have been revised to help give a more comfortable, responsive and enjoyable drive. Attention has also been paid to weight management, with more high tensile steel used in the car’s construction. This has helped increase body stiffness by 10 per cent and save up to 40kg in overall vehicle weight, while also helping to lower the car’s centre of gravity.
The new model will be given its European premiere on 27 September. Details of UK sales introduction, specifications and prices will be announced at a later date.