Description
Toyota tried to split its compact-segment contender into two lines of vehicles: the Corolla, which was offered as a sedan, and the Auris, which was a three- or five-door hatchback.
Since the Japanese automaker thought that the younger generations won't be too attracted by the Corolla, which was an old nameplate, it created the Auris (Gold, in Latin). Besides the five-door hatchback, which targeted families with small children, Toyota also offered the hatchback with a three-door option. Thus, the car's fresh look directly attacked the Golf.
With the new model, Toyota introduced a fresh, young design language. It featured a front fascia with horizontal lines, making the car look wider and sportier. Its angular-shaped headlights resembled those installed on the Avensis and the Yaris but still had their personality. From its profile, the three-door bodywork showed an ascending beltline that ended with an upward kick at the C-pillar. Thus, the automaker had created a sporty look for this hatchback.
But Toyota didn't create exactly a young-oriented cabin. The front bucket seats from the Auris were mounted higher than in the Golf or other similar vehicles, save for the Civic hatchback from Honda. But still, it featured a tall center console connected to the center stack through a sloped bridge that hosted the gear stick (or the gear selector). For the multimedia system, the carmaker offered a few choices depending on the trim level, named Terra (Earth) for the base level, Luna (Moon) as the mid-level, and Sol (Sun) for the highest level. A navigation system was on the options list. At the back, the split-folding bench could accommodate up to three people on short jaunts.
Under the hood, the carmaker installed a choice of seven engines, either gasoline or turbo-diesel. Some of them were available with an automatic gearbox.
Press Release
Toyota Auris, a new core model in the Toyota car range and a significant step forward for its brand ambitions in Europe. Designed and built in Europe, it will join the highly successful Toyota Yaris and Avensis in helping the company achieve its newly announced target of 1.2 million annual sales by 2008.
Andrea Formica, Toyota Motor Europe Senior Vice-President Sales, Marketing & After-Sales said: "The C-segment is the most important segment in the European car market and many European brands are defined by the image and success of their C-segment models. With the launch of Toyota Auris, we want to achieve a step-change not only in sales volume but also in terms of brand image for Toyota."
Auris is Toyota's new challenger in the strategic C-segment family hatchback market. Its dynamic design and striking features reflect the changing needs of C-segment customers while delivering the core Toyota values of superior quality, innovation and driving pleasure.
Designed from the inside out, Toyota Auris maximises interior space and comfort while promising an engaging drive through dynamic exterior styling.
Toyota Auris has been designed at Toyota's European styling centre, ED2, within the context of the Toyota design philosophy of Vibrant Clarity - forward looking and energetic while retaining a clarity of purpose and rationality.
It has been developed with European C-segment customers in mind and draws on many of the design cues that were revealed with the Toyota Auris Space Concept in Paris including the "inside-out" direction which maximises interior space and comfort. The high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture ensure it retains a sense of dynamism and agility.
The superior quality, innovative interior puts driver and passengers in harmony with the car. The sculpted bridged centre console makes a bold design statement that symbolises and enhances the sporty character of the vehicle. Yet, at the same time, it is elegant and practical, raising the gearlever and other controls to the perfect ergonomic height.
Toyota Auris also presents a strong, dynamic exterior face and a promising dynamic behaviour. The wide body and wide tread create a stable look, while concentrating on retaining the clarity of the architecture has allowed the designers to create a crisp, fresh feel.
Soichiro Okudaira, Executive Chief Engineer, said: "Auris has been developed with a clear focus on distinctive styling and an intelligent package. We have created a hatchback which will offer engaging driving experience and the highest levels of superior quality."
Interior space is maximised through the inside-out approach, offering a flat rear passenger floor and high window surfaces. Based on completely new platform, Toyota Auris has an overall length of 4220mm and a long wheelbase, 2600mm, resulting in excellent stability and ride comfort, along with optimum passenger space. An overall height of 1515mm and width of 1760mm contribute to the spacious interior and the stable, but sporty look.
The model range of Toyota Auris will cover the full extent of current and future C-segment hatchback demand in Europe. Auris will be available in 3 and 5 doors hatchback body type with a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.4 VVT-i and 1.6 Dual VVT-i, and three diesel engines, 1.4 D-4D, 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-4D Clean Power. All engines meet Euro IV emissions standards.
The new 1.6-litre petrol engine will feature a dual VVT-i system, delivering a highly efficient combustion process. The Dual variable valve timing (VVT-i) allows to simultaneously achieve better fuel efficiency while increasing power.
The 2.0-litre D-4D 125 will be available with Toyota's advanced "self-cleaning" diesel particulate filter (DPF) while the 2.2 D-4D 180 Clean Power will feature the unique Toyota D-CAT technology which reduces NOx and particulate emissions at the same time.
There will also be a wide choice of gearboxes for Toyota Auris with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment on the 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-4D engines. A new MultiMode transmission with paddle shift will be optional on 1.4 D-4D and 1.6 VVT-i engines.
Toyota Auris will be manufactured in Europe, emphasising Toyota's commitment to its localisation strategy "of building cars close to where they are sold". All European production facilities operate to the same high quality standards under the global label "Made by Toyota".
