Approached: The new generation: Toyota Auris

Save on fun

People like to assume that it is much easier for a second generation than the first generation, for example when it comes to starting a business. The grandfather founded the company, the father made it big and the son will play it on the stock exchange - the simple generalizations in relation to “generations” and their success can be summarized in this way or similar.

With the first Toyota Auris generation, Toyota has launched a major attack on Volkswagen's leading man in the segment. With onomatopoeic poster advertising, they wanted to announce the new Japanese alternative in the traditional area of ​​the long-running “golf”. And if you remember the importance of Kiichiro Toyoda founded group enjoys in other parts of the world, then one could assume that success is only a matter of time.

But sometimes things turn out differently, and so there is no longer any trace of the presentation of the second Auris generation, of which the formerly concise attack on the primus inter pares from Lower Saxony.

I personally think that's a good thing - because it fits more clearly into the Japanese culture: Convince by technology and function - not by Radau and Klamauk.

Toyota Auris - The new generation of Cascais beach

Design trip hazards, or not everything that shines is also gold.

Auris - an artificial name derived from the Latin term “aurum” (stands for gold) and yet again, in my opinion, there is the slightest correspondence between “goal” and “stage”. Toyota speaks of a new brand face, concise and dynamic - designed for the European and especially for the German market. Despite a 55 mm flat passenger cell, a distinctive C-pillar, 10 mm less ground clearance and a relatively flat bonnet - the unambiguous “Toyota style” is missing. I fully understand when a global company like Toyota has to take many details and requirements into account when designing it - Toyota is represented worldwide with more than 90 vehicle silhouettes ”. But started in Germany - in the segment of the top dog from Volkswagen, the Japanese nuncio of the compact car segment has to shine with more self-confidence and an enormously present appearance.

Even if I liked some details of the new Auris very much. The design of the headlights, which are also available with bi-xenon and active cornering lights, seems to me to be much more attractive than the first Auris, especially due to the chrome eyebrow emanating from the radiator grille.

Viewed from the rear, the rear spoiler, which is now integrated into the tailgate, together with the lower part of the bumper as a “diffuser”, is much more consistent. On the other hand, the design of the rear lights, which are also not available in LED technology, is not very coherent.

Toyota Auris - The new generation Strand Cascais2

Hybridized success car

87 grams of CO² per kilometer. A small number with a big impact in the most important German vehicle class. With 87 grams of CO² / KM, the new Auris Hybrid is at the top of the ecological golf competition. This new Auris generation should be more economical and dynamic. On my first trip with the new generation, I was able to drive the two (for me) most important models: the two liter diesel with 120 hp and the Auris Hybrid, which has a system output of 136 hp. In the case of diesel, however, one must assume that diesel engines from BMW will probably already be installed in the course of a possible facelift (2015?) The two-liter diesel is a pleasant companion who lives from its smoothness and the torque of 310 Nm between 1.600 and 2.400 revolutions, but with 124 hp it seems a little “aged”. With other manufacturers, a 1.6 liter diesel engine with optimized friction is sufficient.

The 1.33 liter “cute little” and also uncharged basic engine (99 PS / 128 Nm) doesn't really make sense to me. Even if the Auris was between 50 and 70 kilograms lighter and you thus arrived at a starting weight of the 1.33 of just 1.150 kg - the “real Auris” is the hybrid version for me. Meanwhile, 30% of buyers see it that way - Toyota also expects an almost equal distribution of buyer interest for the new generation. 33% hybrid buyers, 33% gasoline buyers and 34% diesel vehicle buyers. 

Toyota Auris - The new generation hybrid

With the drag coefficient of 0,27 (7) (I usually only write two decimal places - but then we would be at 0,28) the Auris is not a diaper. On the contrary, he develops an almost sporty habitus. Responsible for this, among other things: A 10% more torsion-resistant body, 10% more direct steering and an overall more dynamic design of the chassis. As a driver, in the seat that was 4 centimeters lower, I could see the joy of driving dynamics that had been rediscovered at Toyota, literally rising on the horizon!

However, the hybrid buyer has to decide: Maximum CO² efficiency with 15-inch rims, or increased driving dynamics and visual highlights with the 17-inch aluminum rims included in the “Life Plus” package. Because then the CO² emission is 92 grams of CO² per kilometer.

Toyota Auris - The new generation beach butt

New generations

With the exception of the 1.4 liter diesel engine, Toyota now always equips the new Auris generation with an automatic start / stop. And instead of 4 trim levels, there will be their 5 in the future. A sixth variant will be added to the market launch of the new Auris.

Auris, Auris Cool, Auris Life, Auris Life Plus and Auris Executive are the normal equipment lines and a “START Edition” completes the options for the beginning.

With 15.950 € for the Auris 1.33, the price for the new model even fell by 700 €. The Auris Hybrid starts with the Life equipment and will cost 22.950 €, which in turn is 350 € less than the predecessor.

appearance and reality

What can he do better than his competitors?

  • It is the hybrid pioneer, not only in its class.
  • Seating position and feeling of space in the two front seats has become extremely good!
  • In the hybrid version, the battery is now under the rear seats, the trunk grew by 30%!

What are the competition better at now?

  • Despite a leather-covered dashboard in the Executive version, the final touches are missing in the interior. Here too: “Please, more love in the details!
  • A power diesel and a double clutch drive are completely missing.
  • Current assistance systems such as the “city emergency braking function”, Lane Keeping Assist and the like are missing.

Toyota Auris - The new generation Cascais Diesel

Conclusion

Toyota cleverly plays the fine line between an emotional automobile and ecologically sensible locomotion - to endanger the champion of the golf class, however, it needs more than pure ecology and above-average reliability. It takes more fun and more than just saving money! And here the new Auris generation still offers room for improvement!

 

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Comment

Your e-mail address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * marked

Related Posts
Privacy
, Owner: (Headquarters: Germany), processes personal data for the operation of this website only to the extent that is technically absolutely necessary. All details can be found in the data protection declaration.
Privacy
, Owner: (Headquarters: Germany), processes personal data for the operation of this website only to the extent that is technically absolutely necessary. All details can be found in the data protection declaration.