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Toyota will launch a hybrid version of its Auris hatchback this autumn, and the car will be built in the UK at the Burnaston factory in Derbyshire.

The Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive will share its petrol-electric drivetrain with the new Prius — so that means it has a 98bhp 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and an 80bhp electric motor.

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But it will cost less, partly...Read the full article

Slowly, but surely, hybrid cars are moving into the mainstream....it shall be interesting to see what will be the price premium over a conventionally petrol powered Auris.

It will also be interesting to see what the real weight premium of the hybrid power train is too. Although the article suggest the hybrid Auris will be lighter than the Prius, I'll be interested to see if that is really true - if I recall the Prius makes use of aluminium to help keep the weight down, whereas I doubt that's true of the cheaper Auris?

The Auris is a dull, dull car but if it keeps costs lower than the Prius and gets more people interested in hybrids it can't be a bad thing.

Hopefully it will sell well if only for the sake of jobs at the Derbyshire factory.