Corolla becomes Auris
Toyota have a new name for their lower medium sized (C-segment) hatchback - Auris. This is to replace the Corolla - a household name, which will however remain as a four-door and estate.The Auris was designed, developed and engineered for the European...
Toyota have a new name for their lower medium sized (C-segment) hatchback - Auris. This is to replace the Corolla - a household name, which will however remain as a four-door and estate.
The Auris was designed, developed and engineered for the European market and is built in Europe, too. Last month Toyota hosted me for an extended ride and drive in the south of England. Equipped with TomTom GPS, I was given a free hand to go where I pleased over a weekend (more on which in my extended test report in a forthcoming issue of Motoring).
With the Auris Toyota intends to transform its profile in one of the most important and competitive market sectors in Europe. Built on a new platform, Auris is available in three- and five-door body styles, with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, and four model grades: T2, T3, T Spirit and the flagship T180. The T180 is exclusively equipped with Toyota's clean, powerful 2.2-litre D-4D 180 diesel engine.
Auris was created at Toyota's European design studio ED2 and reflects contemporary European tastes. It has a distinctively "short and tall" shape, with class-leading height contributing to excellent headroom and comfort for all passengers.
The designers worked from the inside out, to give priority to making the best possible use of interior space for both comfort and practicality. This is particularly effective in the rear, where the design of the exhaust system has allowed for a flat floor, enabling three adults to be comfortably accommodated.
The distance between front and rear seats is on a par with that of the Avensis. Further convenience is provided by the split-folding rear seat with two-stage recline function.
The exterior has a highly efficient aerodynamic shape, which contributes to vehicle stability, low levels of noise and fuel economy - which I can vouch for on the 1.6-litre petrol. The efficient design extends to the underneath of the vehicle, where elements such as the suspension, exhaust system and engine undercover have been shaped to help maintain a smooth airflow.
The Auris is built to the customary high Toyota standards. The engines are: 1.4-litre VVT-i and 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i petrol; and 1.4-litre D-4D 90, 2.0-litre D-4D 130 and T180.
The Auris is being launched by local Toyota importer M. Debono Ltd at their brand new showroom in Zebbug this week, so prices and local specs will be in next month's test report.
The Auris was designed, developed and engineered for the European market and is built in Europe, too. Last month Toyota hosted me for an extended ride and drive in the south of England. Equipped with TomTom GPS, I was given a free hand to go where I pleased over a weekend (more on which in my extended test report in a forthcoming issue of Motoring).
With the Auris Toyota intends to transform its profile in one of the most important and competitive market sectors in Europe. Built on a new platform, Auris is available in three- and five-door body styles, with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, and four model grades: T2, T3, T Spirit and the flagship T180. The T180 is exclusively equipped with Toyota's clean, powerful 2.2-litre D-4D 180 diesel engine.
Auris was created at Toyota's European design studio ED2 and reflects contemporary European tastes. It has a distinctively "short and tall" shape, with class-leading height contributing to excellent headroom and comfort for all passengers.
The designers worked from the inside out, to give priority to making the best possible use of interior space for both comfort and practicality. This is particularly effective in the rear, where the design of the exhaust system has allowed for a flat floor, enabling three adults to be comfortably accommodated.
The distance between front and rear seats is on a par with that of the Avensis. Further convenience is provided by the split-folding rear seat with two-stage recline function.
The exterior has a highly efficient aerodynamic shape, which contributes to vehicle stability, low levels of noise and fuel economy - which I can vouch for on the 1.6-litre petrol. The efficient design extends to the underneath of the vehicle, where elements such as the suspension, exhaust system and engine undercover have been shaped to help maintain a smooth airflow.
The Auris is built to the customary high Toyota standards. The engines are: 1.4-litre VVT-i and 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i petrol; and 1.4-litre D-4D 90, 2.0-litre D-4D 130 and T180.
The Auris is being launched by local Toyota importer M. Debono Ltd at their brand new showroom in Zebbug this week, so prices and local specs will be in next month's test report.