Toyota Auris diesel ditched due to low sales

Toyota has removed the option of a diesel engine from its Auris range.

A company spokesman told Autocar that the decision has been taken due to low demand, and not the Government's impending tax hikes.

Auris diesel models, which came in turbocharged 1.4 and 1.6-litre forms, represented what the spokesman described as a ‘tiny’ percentage of overall Auris sales, which amounted to 16,528 units last year. In the year to date, Toyota sold 651 Auris diesels.

The new Toyota Auris has been revealed

Toyota has also removed the existing car's 1.3-litre petrol engine, leaving the Auris with just two powertrain options. The first is the 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid, which has accounted for 9,743 sales this year - three-quarters of Auris sales in the year to date - and the other is a 1.2-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol.

In addition to the powertrain cull, the second-generation Auris, launched in 2012, has been given a more streamlined trim list, with the base Active level dropped, placing Icon as the new entry-point. The lowest price for an Auris is therefore expected to rise to about £20,155, up from £16,655 for the cheapest outgoing variant.

The new car does, however, now come as standard with more kit, including 16in wheels, a reversing camera and climate control. Upgrading to Icon Tech trim adds sat-nav and additional connectivity functions to the infotainment system.

Above this, Design trim has been given additional features including 17in wheels, Alcantara upholstery and parking sensors. Top Excel models come with 3D sat-nav mapping, voice control technology and Park Assist, to name a few.

The Auris Hybrid model is available to order now, while orders for the 1.2-litre petrol version will be taken from January 2018.

Toyota is expected to replace the Auris with an all-new model in 2019. This is on course to be built at the brand's Burnaston plant, so long as the Government can secure an effective trade deal with the EU before Brexit.

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