Toyota Announces Auris Hybrid for European Market, Sales to Start in Mid-2010

Toyota has confirmed plans to launch a full-hybrid version of its Golf-sized Auris hatchback for the European market in mid-2010. According to the Japanese firm, the Auris Hybrid will be built at its UK-based facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The company did not release any technical information but chances are that the Auris will make use of a similar, if not the same, hybrid drivetrain system to the new Prius that combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors.

"With today's announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers," said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President of Toyota Europe. "Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads," he added.

In other words, it's safe to assume that the Auris Hybrid will be priced much lower than the Prius, giving Honda's newly introduced Insight Hybrid a run for its money.

The Auris is Toyota's proposal in the all-important for the European market C-segment rivaling the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Renault Megane, Ford Focus and Opel Astra. It was launched into the European market in the Spring of 2007 replacing the three- and five-door hatchback variants of the Corolla. Since then, it has sold over 370,000 units across the continent.

The Auris is offered with various powertrains in Europe including the newly introduced 101HP 1.33-liter gasoline engine that returns 5.8lt/100km or 40.6mpg US in the European cycle and a range-topping 2.2-liter turbo diesel with 175HP for the sporty Auris SR180 (pictured here) that returns an average of 6.0lt/100km or 39.2mpg.

12 Comments

Anonymous » July 17, 2009

Man that's an ugly car! Toyota needs to get a new front end design.
Anonymous » July 17, 2009

facelift is due next year too!
Nordic » July 17, 2009

A good strategy from Toyota. In Europe we usually prefer the traditional hatchback when comparing with the strange shape of a Prius. This way they are able to reach a large number of costumers.

PS: Not a beautiful car, but the Prius (or even the Insight) are hideous.
Anonymous » July 18, 2009

Hey, US version of this car is the Yaris. If this car already gets like 30MPG+... Hybrid would get like 60++!
Anonymous » July 18, 2009

Nordic, both the Prius and the Insight are hatchbacks and it looks like they both have a lot more hatch area than this Auris. The strange shape you talk about allows for reduced coefficient of friction for better mpg's. And isn't that the main point of a hybrid? Toyota's goal with the Auris appears to be a lower cost entry than the Prius.
carb » July 18, 2009

Britain's troubled car industry will receive a boost when Toyota confirmed it would start production of a hybrid car at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.
Anonymous » July 19, 2009

I think this will be a flop for Toyota.

Firstly, no one buys the Auris. Making it a hybrid is not going to change that. It just has a bad image. Toyota needs to start with a fresh sheet, better car design and a NEW name.

If Toyota did have to Hybrid-ise a model; choose the Avensis. (although I prefer the older model styling). This at least sells to fleets and the lower emissions means a lower tax bill!

Go figure Toyota - Toyota Europe is run by Morons!
Anonymous » July 19, 2009

@ Anonymous #4 - July 18.

Coefficient of friction:
Toyota Prius 3 - 0.25
Mercedes E class - 0.26

Let's have no more talk about the Pruis' shape is a result of efficient aerodynamics. If Mercedes can do it so can Toyota... well, perhaps not!
Anonymous » July 22, 2009

This car is not the equivalent of the US Yaris (Anon) We get the Yaris too, it's a full class below the Auris. I don't think there's anything wrong with offering hybrid drive in an Auris. It might be even better in a Yaris and it could even work in the Avensis too. Economies of scale and all that.

Why people have to be so personally insulted by car design beats me. I agree that this car is bland and uninspiring but I don't feel a need to brand everyone involved in it's development as a moron. Just don't buy one ok. You don't have to get your knickers in such a twist about it.
Anonymous » July 22, 2009

The Yaris is not the same as the Auris. Auris is like a VW Golf in size. And they do come with a hybrid to/on Avensis and even the Lexus Is in Europe. But in stead we dont get the Lexus hs250h.
Anonymous » August 04, 2009

Yuk what is worst an ugly prius(i liked the old one) or this Auris.Bland + no grunt = failure.Where's the type r rival?
Anonymous » August 06, 2009

Loolz, people are calling this car ugly.

Plain maybe the correct word, but it is far from ugly.

It actually has a very clean appearance but for some people it maybe to bland.

I am for toyota making this hybrid, because people do buy the auris, and the hybrid will rival the extensive diesel lineups in the FOCUS, GOLF and 308 ranges.

I prefer hybrids to diesels, because they produce more power when N/A, less emissions, More torque (because of electric motor) and they are much much quiter when compared with clattery diesels.