Toyota's hybrid Auris will be the most expensive in the range, and could cost over £20,000 when it goes on sale in the middle of next year.
The production version of the Toyota HSD Auris Full Hybrid concept will be the first hybrid model to be built in Europe at the firm’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. The top Auris currently costs £19,000 and the hybrid will demand a premium on that.
See the hi-res Toyota HSD Auris Full Hybrid concept picture gallery
It shares its hybrid powertrain with the third-generation Prius, which was launched in the summer. It has a 97bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine as well as nickel-metal hydride batteries and an electric motor. It has the ability to run on electric power alone for up to 1.25 miles at speeds of up to 31mph.
Acceleration from 0-60mph should take around 10 seconds, while its CO2 emissions are expected to be around 90 g/km.
The Auris has had a range of aerodynamic tweaks to keep its drag coefficient down to 0.28. These include a front end designed to optimise airflow and maximise fuel efficiency, flat corners on the front and rear bumpers and0mm lower ride height than a standard Auris.
Frankfurt motor show 2009: full preview
Other changes include underbody panels and a rear diffuser to help channel airflow under the body, turbulence-reducing 18-inch alloy wheels and low rolling resistance tyres, as well as a larger rear spoiler.
Solar power technology also features, with panels on the roof helping to charge the batteries. Solar panels also appear on the dashboard to help charge mobile phones or after market sat-nav systems. LED lights feature at the front and the rear.
Inside, it gets blue Gaucholino leather seats with light blue accent stitching and the centre console and side air vents have a pearl white finish. The instrument cluster has hybrid blue illumination and alloy pedals also feature.
Full thickness window glazing and an acoustic windscreen reduce wind noise at cruising speeds, while extensive soundproofing under the bonnet keeps engine noise to a minium.
Dan Stevens
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Join the debate
coolboy
Re: Toyota Auris hybrid revealed
well... it seems to me, IMHO that for the first time Toyota will release a... concept that is at least interesting and some good-looking.
but my fears are that in this state-of-art this car has a ground price above 35 or even 40.000 Eur.
For that price, no thank you very much
and all this, because I have strong doubts that all those gadjets (18 inch wheels! - for a free tax disc car???? for what?) will make route ever in production form...
just for show-off in Frankfurt
moe360
Re: Toyota Auris hybrid revealed
[quote coolboy]Toyota will release a... concept that is at least interesting and some good-looking.[/quote] emmm, I don't agree with your comment there.... It looks like a standard Auris with big wheels. I would not call it interesting or good - looking. Its not ugly its just boring like most toyota designs. You could get a 1.4 D-4D and stick some big wheels on it for a lot less.
artill
Re: Toyota Auris hybrid revealed
Well i bet there was a sigh of relief at Honda. I thought the Hybrid Auris was going to be sub prius and compete with the insight. It sounds as it it will only compete with the Prius at that price.
So its the new Hybrid for people who dont want other people to know they have a hybrid, unlike all the other hybrids!
Lee23404
Re: Toyota Auris hybrid revealed
[quote moe360][quote coolboy]Toyota will release a... concept that is at least interesting and some good-looking.[/quote] emmm, I don't agree with your comment there.... It looks like a standard Auris with big wheels. I would not call it interesting or good - looking. [/quote]
Agree with you Moe. The Auris is dull, dull dull and I can't think of any reason to buy this, unless it's cheap. Particularly when the latest Prius actually looks quite good.
moe360
Re: Toyota Auris hybrid revealed
[quote Lee23404]Agree with you Moe. The Auris is dull, dull dull and I can't think of any reason to buy this, unless it's cheap. Particularly when the latest Prius actually looks quite good.[/quote] Before I got my new Golf, I was driving a 2002 toyota Corolla now that was even duller. The interior was awful, full of cheap nasty plastics, grey plastics and horrible switch gear. Sometimes I feel sad that i wasted 3 years of my young motoring days in that see of dullness and plastic
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