The new Toyota Auris - celebrated in Paris - driven by me!

At the Paris Motor Show (September 29 to October 14, 2012), Toyota presented its product range in the compact class completely renewed. The key role is played by the new Auris, which in the second model generation once again clearly gains in attractiveness, dynamism and elegance. For the first time, Toyota is also offering the compact car in a station wagon variant. In addition, the thoroughly revised Toyota Verso appeals primarily to customers who want to combine the now even more emotional and distinctive new Toyota design with added comfort and space.

With a length of 4.275 millimeters, the new Auris is 30 millimeters longer than its predecessor. At the same time, the vehicle height was lowered by 55 millimeters, which ensures more dynamic proportions and improved aerodynamics; the new Auris achieves an outstanding drag coefficient of cW = 0,28. In the rear, the occupants are happy about 20 millimeters more knee room, while the trunk volume grew to 360 liters. Carefully processed materials and the well thought-out and ergonomic design create a valuable ambience in the interior. The tops of the dashboard and door panels are covered with soft-touch material, the roof pillars with fabric. The gear knob has a new design and the steering wheel is covered with high-quality nappa leather. Door handles and door openers have a soft structured finish and the armrests in the door panels are padded.

The extensive use of high-strength steels allowed the weight to be reduced by up to 40 kilograms compared to the previous model. Together with the excellent aerodynamics and economical drives, this contributes to the high efficiency of the new Auris. So the average CO₂-Emissions can be reduced by eight percent to just 115 g/km. Responsible for this are, on the one hand, the petrol and diesel engines, which have been further optimized with the help of the “Toyota Optimal Drive” package of measures with reduced weight, minimized gas exchange losses and higher efficiency - and, on the other hand, the full hybrid variant that will be available immediately upon market launch of the new Auris.

The hybrid drive, which has been further developed, ensures an exciting hybrid driving experience. Thanks to the lower air resistance and the reduced weight, the already remarkably low CO₂Emissions decreased again. They are now under 89 grams per kilometer. The space-saving hybrid battery is now installed under the rear seat. The luggage compartment volume of the Auris Hybrid is just as large as that of the models with petrol or diesel engines. The hybrid variant is already available at the market launch of the new Auris generation.

In addition, the new Toyota parking system SIPA (Simple Intelligent Parking Assist) celebrates its premiere in the new Auris. SIPA recognizes a suitable parking space by means of the rear-view camera, as well as lateral ultrasonic sensors in the front bumper and controls it automatically. The driver only has to regulate the driving speed.

For the first time, Toyota is also offering the new Auris in a station wagon version. The new “Auris Touring Sports” is also represented on the Seine and is the first vehicle in the compact station wagon segment to be available with a full hybrid drive. With the same wheelbase of 2.600 millimeters, the Auris Touring Sports is 285 millimeters longer than the hatchback version. All the extra space goes to the luggage compartment.

The third innovation in the Toyota compact class family is the thoroughly revised Toyota Verso. It takes on the positive virtues of variability, suitability for everyday use and spacious space of the current generation and is also characterized by dynamism and high comfort. The new Toyota design language gives the Verso additional expressiveness and brand identity.

In the course of the model revision, more than 300 Verso components were replaced. This includes the exterior design as well as the upgraded interior and new equipment elements. While the revised chassis combines a more agile driving behavior with even more comfort, the Verso, thanks to the Toyota Easy Flat-7 seating concept, continues to offer unprecedented variability with up to 32 different seating configurations.

Despite its compact dimensions, the interior is exceptionally spacious: in its class, the Verso, at 975 millimeters, offers the greatest distance between the first and second row of seats. Special efforts were made to lower the noise level in the interior. With the 2,0-liter D-4D diesel engine with 126 hp, the CO₂Emissions are reduced by ten g / km to below 130 g / km.

Photo / Text: Toyota Presse Germany