The new, British-built Auris Touring Sports introduces a wagon/estate car body style to Toyota’s Auris range for the first time. It’s also the first model in its class to offer the choice of a full hybrid powertrain, marking further diversification of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.
Auris Touring Sports offers dynamic design, best-in-segment functionality and large, flexible loadspace. As the hybrid battery is located beneath the rear seats, there is no compromise in the size of the loadspace and its luggage capacity. The new model will broaden the appeal of Auris and is expected to help increase the model’s European segment share to more than five per cent by 2014, its first full year of sales.
Auris Touring Sports reinforces Toyota’s commitment to improving the dynamic abilities of its vehicles to give customers a more engaging driving experience. To this end, it carries forward all the improvements made in the new Auris hatchback.
These include a more rigid bodyshell, a lower centre of gravity, improved suspension and steering, a better driving position and improved NVH performance. It will be available in the UK with the same powertrain options as the hatch: 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i and 1.6-litre Valvematic petrol units; the 1.4-litre D-4D diesel; and full hybrid – a first in the family/compact estate car market.
The full hybrid’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system features a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and an electric motor, giving a maximum power output of 134bhp/100kW. This enables nought to 62mph acceleration in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 112mph.
Conversely the hybrid’s CO2 emissions are a class-leading 86g/km; indeed emissions performance across the range is highly competitive with the 1.33 and 1.6 petrol units rated at 127 and 139g/km respectively and the 1.4 D-4D diesel at 109g/km.
