What they said when the Toyota Auris was new... (2007)
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ONE of the most important cars of 2007 is Toyota's new Auris, which replaces the world's best-selling Corolla.
The Auris is the second major new model to go into full-scale UK production so far his year, together with Nissan's equally-important Qashqai.
The two Japanese companies will be producing almost 700,000 cars a year in the UK, providing jobs for more than 10,000 people at their factories and among their suppliers.
The two vehicles have been designed in Europe and both companies say that in comparison to their predecessors they mark significant advances in dynamic ability, interior style, practicality and safety.
The Auris is built on a new platform that is larger than that of the Corolla. New suspension systems have been developed for it and a striking interior design feature is the bridge-shaped console that raises the gear lever higher on the dashboard, closer to the driver and integrates the handbrake to create an open space below.
The Auris also uses Toyota's EasyFlat system with one-touch folding of the rear seats to create a flat-floored load area. The boot capacity is 354 litres and the ten storage areas around the cabin have a combined capacity of 32 litres.
There is a greater distance between the front and rear seats than in the Corolla, giving extra legroom whilst head and shoulder room are also better.
The designers have also eliminated the tunnel carrying the exhaust system, giving a flat rear floor and a more comfortable seating position for anyone in the middle.
As many as nine airbags are fitted, with a driver's knee airbag as standard, which is a first in the class. Active safety features on all versions include electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, with higher grade models equipped with vehicle stability control and traction control systems.
The Auris comes with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines with outputs ranging from 89bhp for the 1.4-litre D-4D 90 to 175bhp for the 2.2-litre D-4D 180 that is already used in the Avensis, RAV4 and Verso.
The flagship T180 is a remarkable - if expensive - piece of kit that offers an impressive combination of 130mph performance and 45mpg economy.
Such performance is indicative of the car's prodigious pulling power throughout the speed scale.
It zooms from standstill to 60mph in just over eight seconds, which is virtually as quick as a three-litre V6 Ford Mondeo.
This makes the Auris T180 very much a driver's car and the icing on the cake is the 45mpg economy, which is easily achieved when trundling along at a mere 70mph.
In terms of equipment it has the lot. Well, almost. There is metallic paint, cruise control, electric operation of the windows and sun roof, a CD sound system and the aforementioned electronic stability aids.
However, bearing in mind the £18,295 price tag for the three-door version and a further £500 for the five-door model there is a glaring omission with the lack of satellite navigation.
I would bet that 90 per cent of T180 drivers will never use the cruise control but the same proportion would make good use of satellite navigation.
In general, the Auris is a great compact car and the T180 is an outstanding performer but is simply too expensive.
Opt for a mid-range model such as the 1.6-litre petrol or standard two-litre diesel, with prices from £12,500 and it makes a lot of sense.
Words: Steve Hughes
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