Representing the first step in Toyota's product offensive in the European C-Segment, the new Toyota Auris is bolder, more dynamic, better equipped and cheaper to run than ever before.
The new Auris reflects Toyota's determination to engineer more appealing, dynamically engaging cars and builds on a long-established reputation for quality, durability and reliability
It offers bolder, more confident and sleek styling, a higher quality interior design, improved driving dynamics and further enhancements to the technical leadership of its flagship, full hybrid model.
Aerodynamic improvements, weight savings and engine enhancements have seen fuel consumption and CO2 emission reductions across the range, further lowering running costs and the Total Cost of Ownership.
Toyota is the world's leading producer of C-segment vehicles, with 39 million units sold in over 140 countries since the introduction of the Corolla in 1966. The launch of the Toyota Auris Hybrid in 2010 made Toyota the first manufacturer to offer a choice of three powertrains in the C-segment.
Designed for the European market, its largest volume market, the new Auris will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK alongside the Avensis, reinforcing the company's commitment to its European operations.
TMUK celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with 3,265,000 vehicles produced since start of operations in 1992. Toyota Auris production currently stands at some 418,000 units.
Improved Packaging
At 4,275 mm the overall length of the new Auris has increased by 30 mm, though its wheelbase remains the same at 2,600 mm. The front and rear overhangs have both increased by just 15 mm, and the Auris remains one of the most compact cars in its class.
Significantly, the frontal projected surface area of Toyota Auris has been reduced by 4% over the current model and, without impacting on passenger accommodation, its overall height lowered by 55 mm (the cabin by 45 mm and the ride height by 10 mm), making it one of the lowestvehicle in the segment. In combination, these changes offer considerable aerodynamic benefits, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and driving dynamics.
The extensive use of high tensile steel in the bodyshell construction has helped to reduce the overall weight of the new Auris by up to 40 kg, whilst its overall reduction in height has also lowered the centre of gravity. The seat height has been reduced by 40 mm and the steering wheel tilt angle lowered by 2 degrees, creating a more engaging driving position with a low hip point.
A new front seat design increases rear seat knee room by 20 mm, and the rear door opening width has been enlarged. The loadspace length has been increased by 50 mm and the tailgate opening width increased by 90 mm. Featuring the added flexibility of a dual-level loadspace deckboard and 60:40 split-folding rear seats, all versions, including the hybrid, offer an increased luggage capacity of 360 litres.
More Dynamic Exterior Design
Designed to maximise the benefits of a reduced overall height and lower centre of gravity, the new Auris features an all-new exterior with more confident, sleek, and dynamic styling.
Nowhere is the next generation Toyota Auris' confidence and agility more immediately apparent than in its new frontal design. The new face of Toyota combines the company's Under Priority grille design style with Keen Look headlamp and LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) detailing to bring boldness to the Auris range, and a markedly more powerful road presence.
The Under Priority design features a large, trapezoidal lower grille set within the front bumper, and a smaller upper grille running full width between the new headlamps.
Beneath a low sweeping bonnet line dominated by a new, larger Toyota badge which is set lower than its predecessor, the upper grille features a central, chrome-plated horizontal trim bar which is visually extended into the headlamp clusters to accentuate the width of the vehicle.
Within the narrower, more purposefully styled headlamp clusters, the horizontal chrome trim bar flows into an 'eyebrow' form which accentuates the exceptionally narrow clearance between the bonnet and the Bi-HID (High Intensity Discharge) or halogen lamp projector unit. This highly innovative headlamp packaging also incorporates LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Fitted as standard on all grades, they give the new Auris a unique visual signature.
Flanked by integral foglamp housings with chrome surround detailing, the large lower grille combines a piano black finish with a floating, lower chrome accent to the lip spoiler, once again accentuating the width of the new Toyota Auris and emphasising its planted, solid stance.
In profile, beneath a steeply raked windscreen flowing seamlessly into and new, lower, drag-reducing stepped roofline, an equally dramatic styling change sees a lengthening of the side glazing into three panels above a stronger, more pronounced rising belt line crease.
The door mirror has been repositioned within the glazed area, blacked-out pillars include a piano black finish to the B pillar, and, allied to a chrome accented beltline trim, a sweeping, more dynamic treatment of the rear pillar further accentuates the new Auris' lower, more elegant and sporting silhouette.
The new Toyota Auris' ride height has been lowered by 10 mm, narrowing the gap between the wheel arches and tyres, and aligning the wheel more closely with the bodywork to further accentuate the new vehicle's sleeker, more streamlined appearance. And a choice of wheels includes a new 15" and 16" wheelcap design and 16" and 17" alloys.
To the rear, a wider opening tailgate features powerful, convex and concave surfacing. It is topped by an integral roof spoiler and flanked by a new, wraparound rear combination lamp design which reinforces the shape of both the rear wing and rear screen, as well as the added strength of the shoulder over the rear wheel arch. The new bumper with reflectors integrated at the extremities reinforces the new Toyota Auris' broad, stable and sporting rear stance.
The new Auris will be available in a choice of ten exterior colours, of which four -Grey, Avant-Garde Bronze, Dark Steel and Blue- are new. Pearl White is exclusive to full hybrid models.
Class-leading Aerodynamics
This all-new exterior design awards the next generation Auris an excellent aerodynamic performance, contributing to both improved handling stability and reduced fuel consumption.
Allied to a lowering of the overall height by 55 mm, the 4% reduction in frontal projected surface area has a significant impact in lowering vehicle wind resistance. Flowing from the seamless sweep of a lower bonnet line and steeply raked windscreen, the new, stepped roof profile further reduces drag, whilst the rear spoiler is now fully integrated within the rear roofline, connecting seamlessly with the rear pillar to minimise turbulence in air flowing astern from the vehicle.
In conjunction with a lowering of ride height by 10 mm, equal attention has been paid to ensuring the smoothest possible airflow beneath the new Auris.The underfloor features a front spoiler, a lower absorber, an engine undercover, front spats, centre floor undercovers, tank side floor undercovers, a rear floor undercover and rear spats to maximise aerodynamic efficiency.
This underfloor aerodynamic performance is further enhanced through the positioning of wing-shaped vertical wings to the centre and rear floor undercovers, further smoothing the air flow under the vehicle to promote greater handling and high-speed stability.
As a result of the comprehensive aerodynamic measures, the new Toyota Auris' coefficient of drag has been reduced from Cd 0.292 to just Cd 0.28.
Higher Quality, More Unified Interior Design
Offering more space and greater comfort for occupants, the design of the new interior places the emphasis on improved sensory quality and -through consistency of lighting, font, colour and finish- a greater sense of unity for a more premium feel.
A new, cleaner design features bold forms, excellent functionality and high quality materials. The dashboard combines a strong sense of horizontality to reinforce front cabin width and spaciousness with a more ergonomic, driver-focused layout of instrumentation and switchgear.
The more driver-oriented nature of the design is reinforced by the strong curve of the instrument binnacle hood flowing down the side of the centre console to give a visual focus to the driver's cockpit area.
Within the new instrument binnacle, a clear, simple two or three dial design features white needles and numerals. All switchgear uses the same font, and both instrument binnacle and centre console are backlit in clear blue for a premium look and complete visual consistency.
Bringing a strong sense of visual coordination to the new interior, the meter surrounds, centre stack, transmission tunnel trim, air conditioning and audio controls, and door handles are all finished in a matching, high quality, satin silver finish.
The air vents, audio panel, transmission tunnel, steering wheel and gear lever are trimmed with a silver paint finish. On higher grades, the dashboard itself is finished in leather.
The new interior's sensory quality and visual harmony is further enhanced by the improved tactility of finishes through the cabin, with careful consideration given to every surface texture with which the occupants will come into contact.
The instrument panel upper surface and door trim shoulder areas are finished in soft touch materials, and the cockpit pillars are trimmed with fabric. The gearshift knob is of a new design, and the steering wheel is clad in the highest quality Nappa leather with single baseball stitching. Both assist grips and door grips are finished in a soft texture grain, and the door armrests are padded.
Incorporating longer travel and greater height adjustment, a new seat design offers excellent comfort. Standard on Style (Sport) grade, a newly developed sports seat offers a high level of additional lateral support.
Live (Entry) and Active (Mid) grade seats are finished in a high quality fabric; Style grade seats adding red panels. Lounge (High) grade seats are finished in black velour with genuine leather seat bolsters. Black, full leather upholstery is available as an option on Lounge grade models, with an Ice Grey leather option exclusive to Hybrid models.
The new Auris will be available with a new black interior colour scheme featuring matt textures. A matt grain with the appearance of real leather is created by combining a geometrical pattern of dots with leather grain texture.
The practicality of the new Auris interior is hallmarked by functional features and generous storage space. These include a glove box, a sunglasses holder, coat hooks, a coin box, 4 cup and 4 bottle holders, a sliding centre console armrest with document holder, dashboard and rear centre console storage space for small items, 3 12-Volt accessory sockets and an AUX external input plug, a removable package tray, deck hooks and a dual level loadspace deckboard.
Improved Driving Dynamics
The new Toyota Auris range benefits from enhancements to its bodyshell rigidity, suspension, steering, driving position and NVH characteristics to offer drivers a more comfortable and engaging driving experience.
New bracing and reinforcements to the underbody, front and rear structures, and front suspension have increased body rigidity. The extensive use of high tensile steel in the bodyshell construction has helped to reduce the overall weight of the new Auris by up to 40 kg.
Allied to this weight loss, reducing the overall vehicle height by 55 mm, ground clearance by 10 mm and the height of the new front seats by 40 mm has lowered the new Toyota Auris' centre of gravity, further improving the vehicle's high speed stability and cornering agility.
The reduced centre of gravity also allows for a reduction in spring rates and anti-roll bar diameter, helping to improved ride comfort, body control and steering response.
Numerous components of the front MacPherson strut suspension have been revised, including the design of the upper support, bound stopper, coil spring and shock absorber. The spring rate has been reduced and the shock absorbers fine-tuned to combine class-leading ride comfort with improved stability and excellent steering response.
1.33 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel engine models feature torsion beam rear suspension, whilst 1.6 litre petrol, 2.0 litre diesel and full hybrid models are fitted with a double wishbone system to the rear.
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) itself has also been improved. The steering column benefits from a more rigid attachment to ensure a linear steering feel, a new EPS control suppresses changes in steering force for improved linearity and a high gear ratio provides greater steering response. In all, these revisions equip the EPS with more directness, better feedback and quicker turn for greater vehicle agility.
Extensive improvements to the new Auris' NVH measures ensure that the new Toyota not only offers a more comfortable ride, but is also noticeably quieter. Extensive soundproofing within the engine bay, front wheel arches and dashboard has reduced both engine and road noise within the cabin.
Efficient Petrol and Diesel Powertrains
Average emissions for Auris have fallen steadily over the last years. When the first generation Auris was launched in 2007, the average emissions were 152 g/km. This fell to 142 g/km in 2009, and then down to 125 g/km in 2011 after the pioneering full hybrid version was introduced.
Now, with the launch of the new Auris, the average CO2 emissions level will drop to just 109 g/km, a further13% reduction on average compared to the previous generation.
This has been achieved by taking a total vehicle approach to emissions reduction and fuel consumption improvement, whilst at the same time improving drivability and dynamic performance.
Key to that have been improvements to the new Auris' powertrain line-up, which now features a choice of an improved full hybrid or two petrol and two diesel engines offering the performance- and economy-enhancing benefits of Toyota Optimal Drive.
At launch, the anticipated pan-European sales mix will be approximately 1/3rdfull hybrid, 1/3rddiesel and 1/3rdpetrol. This not only demonstrates the wide range of customer choice the line up brings, but also that full hybrid is a mainstream proposition, accessible to the largest possible audience - not a niche solution.
Toyota Optimal Drive
Toyota Optimal Drive showcases a combination of wide-ranging advanced technologies and internal improvement programmes designed to optimise the balance of performance and driving enjoyment with fuel economy and low emissions.
These diverse core technologies focus on three key aspects of powertrain development:
Firstly, the reduction of powertrain weight through the use of super-lightweight and highly compact engine components and transmissions throughout the new Auris engine range.
Secondly, the minimisation of mechanical losses through the adoption of Valvematic -a further development of VVT-i -in the 1.6 petrol engine, new roller rocker technology and smaller, lighter pistons in both petrol engines, low viscosity oil and 6-speed manual transmissions throughout the new Toyota Auris engine range.
Thirdly, the maximisation of combustion efficiency. This has been achieved within the new Auris petrol engine range through the use of high, 11.5:1 compression ratios, Valvematic, the refinement of intake port and combustion chamber design and piston cooling by oil jet. All new Auris diesel engines benefit from low compression ratios, optimised combustion chamber dimensions and enhanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler efficiency.
1.33l Dual VVT-i
Featuring innovative Stop & Start technology, the 1.33 litre petrol engine is equipped with Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i) and a high compression ratio of 11.5:1, which increases the thermal efficiency of the engine. It generates 73 kW/ 99 DIN hp and maximum torque of 128 Nm at 3,800 rpm.
This excellent dynamic performance is combined with fuel consumption from 5.4 l/100 km and CO2 emissions from 125 g/km, a reduction of 0.4 l/100km and 11 g/km versus the outgoing model.
Profiting from Toyota's extensive motorsport experience, the small bore, long stroke unit is exceptionally lightweight and compact, improving the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio. It features a resin-type cylinder head cover and intake manifold, and the intake channel has been streamlined to optimise airflow for improved combustion efficiency.
Dual VVT-i helps boost response levels across the entire rev range by varying the air-fuel intake and exhaust valve timing to suit the conditions at any given time. In addition to improving torque at low and medium engine speeds, the system also reduces emissions and enhances fuel efficiency.
1.6l Valvematic petrol engine
Offering class-leading efficiency, power and torque, Valvematic is a further development of Toyota's highly successful Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (Dual VVT-i) system.
Valvematic takes VVT-i technology a step forward by adding lift and duration control to the inlet valve variable timing. This improves intake airflow volume and speed management -and, subsequently, combustion process management- to deliver more power for less fuel consumption, with reduced CO2 emissions. The adoption of Valvematic further reduces friction and pumping losses under light engine loads, further lowering fuel consumption.
Valvematic efficiency is further improved through the adoption of a variable length inlet manifold. This acts as an accelerator at low to medium engine speeds, maximising inlet air speed for optimum combustion efficiency. At higher engine speeds the manifold is fully open. This allows air to travel via a shorter route, maximising the volume of air entering the combustion chamber and, hence, engine power output.
Available with either a six-speed manual or MultiDrive S automatic transmission, the 1.6-litre Valvematic engine develops 97 kW / 132 DIN hp and a maximum torque of 160 Nm at only 4,400 rpm. When equipped with the manual transmission the unit returns a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km and generates CO2 emissions of only 138 g/km - reduction of 0.7 l/100km and 12 g/km. MultiDrive S transmission further reduces both fuel consumption and emissions, to 5.7 l/100 km and 134 g/km respectively.
1.4l D-4D diesel engine
Available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed MultiMode transmission, the 1.4 litre D-4D engine develops 66 kW / 90 DIN hp and maximum torque of 205 Nm at only 1,800 to 2,800 rpm.
The 1.4 D-4D 90 turbodiesel unit also benefits from improved Toyota Optimal Drive technology, maximising performance and driveability whilst minimising fuel consumption, and CO2 and particulate emissions.
A new 2-step hydraulic control valve is installed in the timing chain cover. This has the benefit of reducing friction when hydraulic pressure is low by opening and closing the relief valve based on driving conditions.
Engine warm-up time is minimised through the installation of a new coolant by-pass system that helps to reduce heat losses in engine coolant during start-up.
New generation piezoelectric injectors control the fuel volume and the timing of the injection more accurately. The high speed reaction time of Piezo injectors makes multi-phase high speed injection possible. This has the effect of both lowering the rate of combustion expansion and effecting a more thorough burn within the combustion chamber, thus further reducing particulate, NOx and CO2 emissions.
This, allied to higher common rail injection pressures of 160 Mpa, results in shorter injection times, combining a faster engine response with improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
When equipped with the manual transmission and Stop & Start technology, the improved 1.4 D-4D 90 unit returns a combined cycle fuel consumption of 3.8 l/100 km and generates CO2 emissions of only 99 g/km - a reduction of 0.6 l/100km and 10 g/km.
So successfully has this performance been accomplished that the model's equipment specification has not been compromised, and customers still benefit from standard features such as single-zone air-conditioning.
2.0l D-4D diesel engine
Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the 124 DIN hp 2.0 litre D-4D turbodiesel engine has been extensively revised and now features Stop & Start technology as standard.
The unit features a new turbocharger with a lower friction bearing system and an electric actuator. CO2 emission-reducing lubrication and cooling circuit improvements include a 2-stage pressure oil pump with improved oil jet, an optimised water pump with a reduced flow rate, and a twin-chamber oil pan to improve engine warming speeds.
Exhaust emissions are further lowered through a new glow plug control strategy and improvements to the construction and coating of the DPF.
The use of a resin cylinder head cover, oil cooler bracket and water pipe reduce engine weight by 3 kg. The reduction of friction through the adoption of a low friction vacuum pump, a low friction timing chain and low viscosity oil further enhance fuel efficiency. And combustion improvement through a new piston bowl shape and the new glow strategy has perceptibly lowered engine NVH.
As a result, the engine is quieter, torque delivery has improved and CO2 emissions have been lowered by 19% -from 138 to 112 g/km on the combined cycle. Fuel consumption has also fallen from 5.2 to 4.3 l/100km over the combined cycle.
MultiMode transmission
Available on the 1.4 D-4D 90 diesel version of the new Auris, MultiMode is an automated manual transmission with a fully automatic shift mode and no clutch pedal. It offers the driver a choice of two, fully automatic gear change modes or a manual, sequential gear change with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Selecting E (Economy), M (Manual) or R (Reverse) allows the car to 'creep' in the manner of a conventional automatic. In E mode, the car makes automatic gear shifts that will maximise fuel economy. Selecting ES (Sport) mode will delay changing up to a higher rpm, giving a more sporting style of drive.
