The British-build new Toyota Auris is a significant range changer for the company.
With sharper and more appealing styling, more space and better ride comfort, more equipment, improved engine and hybrid performances with lower running costs and taxes and for good measure, more or less carry-over prices, have to be all the right elements needed to improve the sales performance of the new Toyota Auris over the outgoing range.
The first generation five door Auris C-segment family hatchback was launched in 2007 as a replacement for the long serving Corolla, seemingly much loved by retail buyers. The Corolla is still being sold in some markets as a family saloon.
At one stage in the UK Corolla annual sales were around 30,000 units. Auris has only achieved a third of those this year but of course the recession has played a significant part in the decline of sales for many makes in many sectors.
But the new Auris is expected to reverse the downward spiral and sales will go up to 15,000 units next year and to over 18,000 in 2015. Part of the reason for this growth will be the improved appeal to fleets and business users who will double their take-up of the Auris to 50 per cent.
This fleet/business demand will be driven by the improvements in fuel economy and significant reductions in CO2 emissions offered by the new Auris and retail customers will enjoy those improvements as well. The overall average CO2 emissions across the new Auris range have fallen by 13 per cent to 109g/km.
There is a choice of four power options for the new range, 1.33 and 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel and 1.8 petrol/electric hybrid. The petrol only units are expected to account for 40 per cent of UK Auris sales with the 1.6-litre unit marginally the best selling of the two. The petrol/electric Hybrid version will also take 40 per cent of sales, 75 per cent of these expected to go to fleet and business customers. The diesel engine take-up is expected to be 20 per cent.
There are four new levels of improved specification but not with all powertrains. The new UK specification levels, to be adopted in Europe from the middle of next year, are Active, the best selling Icon level, Sport and Excel. Prices start from £14,495 and rise to £21,745. The single best selling retail version is expected to be the 1.6-litre petrol Icon at £17,495 or £18,495 with an auto transmission. The best selling 1.8-litre petrol/electric Hybrid with a CVT auto transmission as standard costs £19,995.
It is easy to look at the price list and say the Hybrid version is too costly over petrol and diesel versions because of the £2,500 price premium over the 1.6-litre petrol variant.
But it’s only £1,500 more expensive if you compare the automatic 1.6 petrol to the hybrid which has auto as standard. Of course the Hybrid’s lower tax and better fuel economy advantages are very significant and it costs £615 less than the outgoing Auris Hybrid. That is why Toyota says that 40 per cent of total Auris UK sales will be for the Hybrid version.
At the press launch event in Portugal this week Toyota had the 1.6-litre petrol and the 1.8-litre petrol/Hybrid versions available for test driving, the best selling models.
The 1.6-litre petrol with its high revving variable valve engine develops 130bhp at 6,400rpm and 160Nm (118lb ft) of torque from a relatively high 4,400rpm.
Top speed is 124mph and zero to 62mph takes 10 seconds. With its tall gearing, to improve touring fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions, this unit needs to be worked hard to get responsive mid range performance so full use was of the gearbox was needed.
Officially this engine will return 47.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 138g/km compared to 42.8mpg and 153g/km for the outgoing 1.6 petrol version. The new level of VED road tax is £120 and company car tax is 19 per cent. My test drive fuel consumption was 38.7mpg.
The 1.8-litre petrol/Hybrid version, ideal for fleet and business users and ‘eco’ minded retail customers, has a combined maximum power output of 134bhp with maximum torque of 142Nm (104lb ft) from 4,000rpm but a good slice of that ‘grunt’ comes in at lower engine speed due to the boost of the torquey electric motor.
On the down-side the CVT auto transmission sapped power at times driving up steep hills and making the engine sound noisy but driving in town was smooth, quiet and seamless.
The Hybrid has electric power only mode which gives just over a mile or so with the electric motor only powering the wheels before the engine cuts in. It has an ECO mode for the most efficient use of the hybrid system and even a Sport mode to liven acceleration up as and when needed.
In addition to the low company car tax there is a 100 per cent write down allowance of the purchase price for businesses and there is no London Congestion Charge – for now.
The servicing costs for the Hybrid with its CVT auto transmission are lower as well because there is no clutch, no starter motor, no alternator or timing belts and there is longer durability of brake discs and pads due to the regenerative braking system which captures energy for the battery.
The best selling Icon specification includes 16-inch alloy wheels, electric operated front/rear windows, electric door mirrors, DAB radio with a six speaker sound system, Bluetooth, air conditioning, Toyota Touch multimedia control screen, leather steering wheel and gear knob, front fog lights and push-button start.
The dashboard has a nice stitched leather finish and there are new easy to read dials and clear controls. There are affordable extra cost options, where not fitted as standard, such as Touch and Go navigation for £650, a large panoramic sunroof for £550 and a simple Park Assist at £350.
The new Auris is lighter and the centre of gravity is lower helped by positioning the battery pack beneath the 60/40 split folding rear seats. This frees up more boot space which is 360-litres for all versions.
The five door hatchback is longer by 30mm to 4,275mm which gives more front and rear passenger space. The car has been lowered by 55mm to improve aerodynamics without losing any headroom thanks to the new seat design.
The ride height has also been reduced by 10mm and this works in conjunction with the lower centre of gravity to give a more settled and ‘flat’ ride performance.
The suspension settings are now softer for a more compliant and comfortable ride, the steering rack is now 10 per cent sharper and the electronics for that system have changed to improve response and feedback. The new Auris felt better riding on 16-inch wheels than the 17-inch ones.
As for styling, the body lines are much sharper with a pronounced waistline and enlarged side windows give a more dynamic look. The new front upper and lower grilles and narrower headlights form part of the new styling ‘face’ being adopted by Toyota for all their model ranges.
At the rear is a wide tailgate which improves rear visibility and access to the boot. The repositioning forward of the B-pillar allows for wider rear passenger door access.
VERDICT
In all areas the new European designed but British built Toyota Auris is a significant improvement over the outgoing mode. Auris Hybrid
MILESTONES
Toyota Auris 1.8 Hybrid, 5-Door, Icon.
Price: £19,995. Powertrain: 1.8-litre, four cylinder, DOHC, VVT-i, petrol unit and electric motor, 134bhp, 104lb ft of torque from 4,000rpm, CVT auto transmission. Performance: 112mph, 0-62mph 10.9 seconds, 74.3mpg Combined Cycle (54mpg on test), CO2 87g/km, VED road tax £0, BIK company car tax 10%.
Insurance group: tbc. Warranty: 5-Year/100,000 miles, hybrid battery 8-Years/100,000.
For: Built in Britain, sharp and sleek styling, improved running costs with low tax charges, roomy, comfortable seats, upgraded interior, improved handling, a hybrid that is cheaper to buy than most top spec Focus/Golf/Astra petrol and diesel models in this C-segment.
Against: CVT auto transmission saps power making the engine noisy under hard acceleration and driving up steep hills, real-life fuel economy did not get close to official figures, harsh ride on larger wheels.