http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/co ... s-revealed
New core model on sale spring 2007
New core model in Toyota Motor Europe’s sales growth strategy
Meets changing needs of C-segment customers
Distinctive design, offering superior quality and innovation
‘Inside-out’ approach for maximum interior space
On sale in Europe, spring 2007
Today, Toyota reveals its plan for the new Toyota Auris – a new core model in the Toyota car range and a significant step forward for its brand ambitions in Europe. Designed and built in Europe, it will join the highly successful Toyota Yaris and Avensis in helping the company achieve its newly announced target of 1.2 million annual sales by 2008.
Japanese version sold just today
http://www.globalautoindex.com/news.plt?no=1593#
Toyota Motor Corporation announced today the Japanese launch of the Auris, a strategic compact passenger vehicle for both Japan and Europe. In Japan, the Auris is available through "Netz" dealers nationwide; its European release is scheduled for the spring of 2007. The Auris name is derived from the English word "aura" meaning "a distinctive quality or atmosphere," which expresses the distinctive sense of presence of the vehicle.
Created with "performance you can feel" as its development concept, the Auris is designed to transcend the conventional notion of a compact vehicle, with individuality and exceptional performance that convey its appeal the moment you see it, as well as when you get in and drive it.
Under the notion of "a five-meter impression"—with sights set on creating a positive impression even before the car is driven more than five meters—the Auris strives for a sense of expectation from the moment the key is in your hand. It does this with attractive European styling on the outside, innovation and quality that can be immediately sensed on the inside—thanks to a center instrument cluster integrated with a bridged center console—and driving pleasure that can be felt as soon as the engine is started and the car begins to move.
A newly developed platform, new 1.8-liter engine and newly designed suspension provide outstanding vehicle performance and engaging driving pleasure, while also achieving balance between excellent maneuverability and a spacious, highly functional interior that rivals that of a medium-class vehicle. The Auris also boasts safety and environmental performance at the top levels of its class.
Vehicle Outline
Distinctive, European-Style Exterior and Innovative, Highly Functional Interior
Exterior
* Created by ED2 (Toyota Europe Design Development S.A.R.L.), Toyota's European design base located in southern France, and based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy of "Vibrant Clarity," the exterior of the new Auris boasts an individualistic short and wide form that is recognizable at a glance, even from a distance.
* Combined with headlights extending to the sides, the vehicle's front end has an impressive, unified form that integrates the bumper with the hood to create a front view with a sporty and open feel.
* The side view, with a low, forward-leaning beltline and sloped quarter pillars, evokes an energetic feeling that expresses the vehicle's powerful driving performance.
* When viewed from behind, the car's staunch rear creates an impression of action.
Interior
* An advanced image is conveyed through an innovative design that integrates the shape from the center instrument cluster to the bridged center console, using the European architectural form of a "flying buttress"* as a motif.
* The high position of the gear-shift lever and parking break and a comfortable, close-fitting cockpit create a sporty feel.
* The main controls, including the gear-shift lever, have been concentrated within easier reach of the driver's seat to enhance operability and functionality.
* Close attention has been paid to every detail to create a sense of quality from the substantial sound of doors closing to the smooth operational feel of the audio-system and other switches.
* A gothic architectural technique that uses arched supports located outside a structure to hold up the roof, thereby creating a more open interior space
Outstanding Driving Performance and a Comfortable Ride Refined in Europe
* A newly developed platform and newly designed suspension achieve outstanding handling and stability as well as a smooth, comfortable ride. The suspension has been tested on roads and circuit courses in Europe to achieve optimal tuning for exceptional performance under various conditions, from high-speed driving on winding roads to highway cruising.
* High-rigidity body construction ensures steering responsiveness and quiet operation.
* A 1.8-liter Dual VVT-i (Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine that provides excellent acceleration performance, high fuel efficiency and outstanding environmental performance, and a 1.5-liter VVT-i engine that boasts excellent performance and high fuel efficiency are available.
* The Super CVT-i (Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) supports outstanding fuel efficiency and smooth driving. An easy-to-operate seven-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic transmission that provides the feel of a manual transmission and takes "fun to drive" to a higher level is available on models with the 1.8-liter engine.
* The four-wheel disk brakes, standard on all vehicles in the series, provide excellent braking performance and feature superior control with a high-quality braking feeling.
Spacious and Highly Functional Interior and Superb Maneuverability
* An excellent package created through the adoption of a newly developed platform allows for a spacious cabin on par with that of a medium-class vehicle and relaxing flat-surfaced legroom in the rear (on two-wheel-drive models), as well as a roomy rear cargo space, while also achieving superb maneuverability. Stow spaces abound.
* The rear seats, equipped with a reclining function, have backrests that fold in a 60/40 split and a single-motion tilt-down mechanism that allows both the seat cushions and the backrests to easily fold and stow away, creating an expansive and flat cargo space.
* The Smart Entry & Start System employs a key that does not need to be pulled out to lock and unlock the doors, as well as a push button for starting the engine.
* An automatic air-conditioner with a pollen-removal mode filters out pollen, dust and other impurities from the air.
Safety and Environmental Performance at the Top of its Class
* The GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) construction has been further evolved to create an advanced collision-safety body structure. During collision tests under stricter-than-normal standards, the speed was set at 55km/h, and the vehicle was subjected to omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests with a vehicle up to the 2-ton range. Through the use of a body that effectively absorbs collision impact by diffusing it throughout its structure, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and dummy injury.
* The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been evolved to further reduce pedestrian head injuries, pursuing a class-top level of protection.
* The front-seat structures are based on the WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) concept and come with stronger seat frames and greater backrest give. They were designed based on analyses using THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety), incorporating a structural design that reduces stress on the neck during low-speed rear impact.
* All vehicles in the series have been certified as having emissions levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.
* Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)—Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system—was implemented to achieve the overall reduction of environmental impact throughout the vehicle's entire lifecycle as efficiently as possible.
* A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used, thereby also reducing the discomforting odors emitted from such compounds.
* An Eco Drive Indicator lights up when the vehicle is being efficiently operated to raise the driver's awareness of environmentally considerate driving and contribute to higher fuel efficiency.
Andrea Formica, Toyota Motor Europe Senior Vice-President Sales, Marketing & After-Sales said: “The C-segment is the most important segment in the European car market and many European brands are defined by the image and success of their C-segment models. With the launch of Auris, we want to achieve a step-change not only in sales volume but also in terms of brand image for Toyota.”
Auris is Toyota’s new challenger in the strategic C-segment family hatchback market. Its dynamic design and striking features reflect the changing needs of C-segment customers while delivering the core Toyota values of superior quality, innovation and driving pleasure. Designed from the inside out, Auris maximises interior space and comfort while promising an engaging drive through dynamic exterior styling.
Auris has been designed at Toyota’s European styling centre, ED2, within the context of the Toyota design philosophy of Vibrant Clarity – forward looking and energetic while retaining a clarity of purpose and rationality.
It has been developed with European C-segment customers in mind and draws on many of the design cues that were revealed with the Auris Space Concept in Paris including the ‘inside-out’ direction which maximises interior space and comfort. The high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture ensure it retains a sense of dynamism and agility. The superior quality, innovative interior puts driver and passengers in harmony with the car. The sculpted bridged centre console makes a bold design statement that symbolises and enhances the sporty character of the vehicle. Yet, at the same time, it is elegant and practical, raising the gearlever and other controls to the perfect ergonomic height.
Auris also presents a strong, dynamic exterior face and a promising dynamic behaviour. The wide body and wide tread create a stable look, while concentrating on retaining the clarity of the architecture has allowed the designers to create a crisp, fresh feel.
Soichiro Okudaira, Executive Chief Engineer, said: “Auris has been developed with a clear focus on distinctive styling and an intelligent package. We have created a hatchback which will offer engaging driving experience and the highest levels of superior quality.”
Interior space is maximised through the inside-out approach, offering a flat rear passenger floor and high window surfaces. Based on completely new platform, Auris has an overall length of 4220mm and a long wheelbase, 2600mm, resulting in excellent stability and ride comfort – along with optimum passenger space. An overall height of 1515mm and width of 1760mm contribute to the spacious interior and the stable, but sporty look.
The model range of Auris will cover the full extent of current and future C-segment hatchback demand in Europe. Auris will be available in 3 and 5 doors hatchback body type with a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.4 VVT-i and 1.6 Dual VVT-i, and three diesel engines, 1.4 D-4D, 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-4D Clean Power. All engines meet Euro IV emissions standards.
The new 1.6-litre petrol engine will feature a dual VVT-i system, delivering a highly efficient combustion process. The Dual variable valve timing (VVT-i) allows to simultaneously achieve better fuel efficiency while increasing power.
The 2.0-litre D-4D 125 will be available with Toyota’s advanced ‘self-cleaning’ diesel particulate filter (DPF) while the 2.2 D-4D 180 Clean Power will feature the unique Toyota D-CAT technology which reduces NOX and particulate emissions at the same time.
There will also be a wide choice of gearboxes for Auris with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment on the 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-4D engines. A new MultiMode transmission with paddle shift will be optional on 1.4 D-4D and 1.6 VVT-i engines.
Auris will be manufactured in Europe, emphasising Toyota’s commitment to its localisation strategy “of building cars close to where they are sold”. All European production facilities operate to the same high quality standards under the global label ‘Made by Toyota’.
The new Toyota Auris will be revealed in Europe at the Bologna Motor Show on December 5, 2006 and will go on sale across Europe in spring 2007. Sales of Auris in Japan will start on October 23, 2006.
Auris embodies the way forward for Toyota in Europe.
Outline Technical Specifications
ENGINE
PETROL
1.4 VVT-i 96/97hp @ 6,000
1.6 Dual VVT-i 122/124hp @ 6,000
DIESEL
1.4 D-4D 90 89/90hp @ 3,800
2.0 D-4D 130 124/126hp @ 3,600
2.2 D-4D 180 175/177hp @ 3,600
Transmission
5 MT
6MT
Hope this car will be a hit in Europe.
