Autoblog

Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

And now for your viewing pleasure, we bring you these live shots of the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept (seriously, could Toyota have come up with a longer name?). Technically, the vehicle shown in our image gallery below is listed as a concept car, but every indication is that it's not all that different than what will be rolling out of Burnaston factory in England sometime during the second half of 2010.

We wouldn't necessarily count on the dash-mounted solar panels that feature trays to recharge your electronics - though, how cool would that be? - but the rooftop cells may make it into production to help keep the cabin cool on sunny days as a similar system already is optional on the 2010 Prius. In any case, Toyota's 1.8-liter four cylinder and Hybrid Synergy Drive ought to ensure stellar fuel economy and carbon emissions of below 100 g/km - both important considerations across the pond where gas is especially pricey and taxes are high.

Hit the jump to reread the press release and refresh your memory on all the little concept-appropriate details.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris Hybrid

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name

Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept needs a shorter name originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Euro-only Toyota Auris gains sporty SR180 model

Dan Roth — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Toyota, UK

click above for high resolution gallery of the Toyota Auris SR180

The bucket of parts that makes up the Toyota Corolla also gives life to several other vehicles worldwide. In the UK and other parts of the world, they get the Auris, a three- or five-door hatch-type-thing. While Toyotas in the United States are sleepy affairs, the Auris is ringing in 2008 with a sporty, well-equipped SR180 version. Looking great with a lowered suspension from Toyota Motorsport and blacked out rear glass, the Auris appears intimately involved with the pavement. There's a subtle spoiler atop the hatch, which always gives a nice finish to the back end of this style car, and the wheel arches are nicely filled with 17-inch alloy rims. Underhood, Toyota's D-4D Diesel provides 175 horsepower and a whopping 294 ft-lbs of torque through a six-speed manual while returning 38 mpg (US) on a combined cycle.

Equipment levels are up, providing the driver with such goodies as dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and cruise control. Stability and traction-control systems are standard, too. It all sounds and looks very good until you run the roughly £18,500 price through a currency conversion - coming out the other side at about $37,000 greenbacks. Some people would sell a kidney on eBay for the opportunity to get something like this Stateside, and it certainly is a rare Toyota that makes us say "That's cool." If you're someplace where you can take advantage of it, order yours now for January delivery.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: Toyota Auris SR180

Continue reading Euro-only Toyota Auris gains sporty SR180 model

Euro-only Toyota Auris gains sporty SR180 model originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Matrix coming Spring '08

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota

Toyota will be updating the Matrix in Spring 2008 and the automaker is using the Mazda3 as its design inspiration (good choice) for the hatchback. The Corolla-based vehicle is already sold in Europe as the Auris and in Japan as the Blade. The US-based Matrix will have different sheet metal than in other markets but it may be taking on the Blade name since Toyota has registered the name with the US Patent and Trademark office. The Japan market Blade has a 2.4L engine producing 158 HP, which would be a big bump from the 126 HP that powers the current Matrix.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

New Matrix coming Spring '08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota officially launches the Blade

John Neff — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

As we reported yesterday, Toyota announced today the availability of a new premium compact hatchback called the Blade. Based on the Auris, the Blade gets a sharper edge of style with a sculpted front end that's more aggressive than the bloated face of the Auris. Unlike what we told you yesterday, Toyota did not announce a powerful 280-hp V6 as an engine option for the Blade, at least it hasn't yet. At launch, the Blade will be powered by Toyota's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which Wikipedia lists as producing 157 hp and 162 ft-lbs of torque. Toyota didn't release official power figures for the engine's use in the Blade, so those numbers may turn out to be different. The engine will be paired with what Toyota calls its Super CVT-i, a continuously variable transmission with seven programmed "speeds" if people still yearn the kick-down of a cog, and will be available in front- and all-wheel drive. As a premium hatchback, the Blade also gets many electronic nannies including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, side and curtain shield airbags, as well as a driver's seat knee bag.

Read more of our thoughts and check out the official press release from Toyota after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota officially launches the Blade

Toyota officially launches the Blade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota about to brandish the Blade, upscale Auris with 280-hp V6

John Neff — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Toyota

Nihon Car & Bike is reporting that Toyota will announce an upscale version of the Auris in Japan called the Blade. The vehicle will reportedly have multiple trims, including one with a 280-hp V6 (!). The website happened to run across a parking lot full of Blades while test driving the Auris and snapped an album's worth of pics. From the pictures we can see the Blade has a different front end than the Auris that's sharper with a more traditional grille and aggressive lower front fascia. New wheels and clear taillights are also part of thep package. They report the Blades were being prepared to be shipped by sea, which means the car is destined for markets outside of Japan, though probably not the U.S. Score one for Nihon Car & Bike for the scoop, and we'll bring you more details of the Blade tomorrow after Toyota debuts the vehicle officially.

Follow the Read link to check out additional pics of the Blade, including a side-by-side comparison with a standard Auris.

[Source: Nihon Car & Bike]

Toyota about to brandish the Blade, upscale Auris with 280-hp V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europeans gets first look at Toyota Auris

John Neff — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:23:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Toyota

click on image to enlarge

If you're a European who wasn't a fan of the Toyota Corolla, take heart knowing Toyota's best seller is technically gone and being replaced by this car, the Auris, which was unveiled as a concept not three weeks ago at the Paris Motor Show. Today Toyota has taken the wraps off of the production version of the Auris to give Euro folk a peek at what to expect from the company's new C-segment hatch. Initially available in both three- and five-door hatchback versions, the Auris can be had with one of no less than five engines, two gas and three diesel. The petrol powerplants include a 1.4 VVT-i (97 HP) and 1.6 Dual VVT-i (124 HP), while the oil burners are a 1.4 D-4D (90 HP), 2.4 D-4D (126 HP) and 2.2 D-4D Clean Power (177 HP). With the latter engine, the Auris can hit 62 mph in 8.1 seconds. Euros can swap cogs with the Auris's 6-speed manual transmission or a MultiMode automatic transmission with paddle shifters on select models.

So now Toyota has actually unveiled two new Corollas in the past month, the Auris for Europe and the Axio / Fielder wagon in Japan. Both are two very different cars, and we couldn't find agreement from our sources about which one will be sold in the U.S. From what we gather, the U.S. will get a version of the Axio sold in Japan, though it will wear styling similar to the Auris and, for that matter, the Yaris that's already on sale in the U.S.

More pics and Toyota of Europe's complete press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota via Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading Europeans gets first look at Toyota Auris

Europeans gets first look at Toyota Auris originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota releases new Corolla in Japan

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 08:36:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Toyota

Toyota will begin selling their newest iteration of the Corolla in Japan later this month and the image above is a stark departure from the recently debuted Auris concept in Paris. The new JDM Corolla is a subtle redesign and will not form the basis for future sedans sold stateside, which will draw more cues from the Auris and come equipped with a 2-liter engine.

The JDM version comes in two flavors - the Axio for the sedan and the Fielder for the wagon version. Power will come from a 1.8-liter inline-four, fitted to the automaker's Super CVT-i gearbox and will come standard with trick features, including electric-folding rear seats and backup camera. High-performance variants will include all-wheel-drive, with lesser models coming standard with a 1.5-liter engine and five-speed manual.

[Source: Toyota.co.jp and Motor Authority]

Toyota releases new Corolla in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Toyota Auris space concept

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Toyota

This interesting concept car from Toyota is making its world debut in Paris, with a new interpretation of Toyota's "VIbrant Clarity" design theme. The Auris emphasizes interior comfort, style and convenience, wrapped in a cab-forward architecture with short front and rear overhangs.

The C-segment Auris concept could herald the next generation of Toyota small cars - stay tuned.

Eric sent us some great live shots of the golden Toyota, plus the photos and press release from the media kit, all displayed for your enjoyment after the jump.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Toyota Auris space concept

Paris Motor Show: Toyota Auris space concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota names Corolla-based hatch the "Auris"

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Toyota

Hatchback, Toyota hath named thee, and thy name is Auris. Based on the Corolla sedan and placed up-market from the sprightly Yaris, the Auris five-door hatch features design elements similar to its kid brother, particularly around the front end with its the bulbous hood, oversized headlamps and grille with prominent emblem.

With the popularity of hatchbacks over sedans a fact in overseas markets, the Auris will be sold in Europe. There are many variations of the Corolla sold around the world, and the one sold in the U.S. is not the same as the hatchback that Europeans are offered, so it's unlikely we'll ever see the Auris this side of the pond. There likely will never by an Aygo sold here, as well.

Auris is the Latin word for "good taste". Think it's fitting, or is it a misnomer?

[Source: paultan.org]

Toyota names Corolla-based hatch the "Auris" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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