Toyota GB will launch the redesigned, British-built Auris with four new trim/equipment grades – Active, Icon, Sport and Excel – replacing the Edition, Colour Collection, SR and TR nameplates used for the last of the previous generation along with a clever new self-park system that also guides the car out of a parking space as well as into it.
Among new features, the C-segment Toyota is joining rivals like Ford’s Focus with a new park assist system said to be simpler and more versatile to use both for parking and for exiting tight spaces.
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Park assist will also be “an affordable option” for Icon and Sport versions, Toyota said, claiming it will both steer the Auris into a space and help manoeuvre it out again.
“The system is more sophisticated than any previously featured on a production Toyota in the UK,” the automaker said, “being able to cope with non-standard parking situations, including on bends. It will also take account of objects on the opposite side of the road that might affect parking manoeuvres, for example other parked cars or obstacles in narrow streets.
“It also minimises the degree to which the car steers out to the opposite side of the road in order to enter a space. The system’s ‘park-me-out’ function will help the driver exit a tight parking space by judging the clearance from the vehicle in front and providing the necessary steering inputs.”
Toyota was one of the first to offer self-parking – on its top Lexus LS line some years ago – and this new system is a clear advance over C-segment rivals like the Focus which provides steering assistance to get you into the tight spot but only guidance from the sensors to get you out again.
UK entry pricing is up substantially from GBP11,995 to GBP14,495 (but so is standard equipment) and all powertrains, including ‘Hybrid Synergy Drive’, will be available from launch.
Sales start in December after the British-built variant of the Corolla makes its global public debut at this week’s Paris motor show.
Engines are the 1.33-litre ‘Dual VVT-i’ and 1.6 ‘Valvematic’ petrol units, the 1.4-litre ‘D-4D’ diesel and the hybrid. All bar the hybrid get a six-speed manual transmission as standard while ‘Multidrive S’ CVT automatic is optional with the 1.6 petrol. The hybrid has its own ‘E-CVT’ automatic.
The 1.33 engine will be available with Active and Icon grades; the 1.6 Valvematic in Icon, Sport and Excel; and the 1.4 D-4D in all trims. Hybrids will come with Icon and Excel trim.
All versions will have seven airbags, a new follow-me-home lighting system, hill-start assist, stability control and LED daytime running lights.
Active (entry) grade will also include automatic air conditioning, four-speaker audio system with USB and aux connections and an MP3 disc file player, electrically adjustable, heated, body-coloured door mirrors and electric front windows.
Icon adds 16-inch alloy wheels (15-inch on the hybrid), six-speaker audio, DAB (digital) radio, multimedia touch control screen, Bluetooth, rear-view camera, electric rear windows, leather steering wheel and gear knob trim, front fog lamps, and push-button start for the hybrid.
Sport grade builds on Icon specification with 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for the diesel), sports front seats and grille, rear diffuser and exhaust trim and rear privacy glass.
The top Excel grade adds 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for diesel), black velour upholstery with leather bolsters, dual-zone climate control, smart entry/start, park assist with front and rear sensors, cruise control (not diesel), rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electric folding door mirrors, heated front seats, driver’s lumbar support and rear privacy glass.
Auris options include a touch multimedia system upgrade for Icon, Sport and Excel models to ‘Touch & Go’, adding satellite navigation and more sophisticated on-board connectivity and Bluetooth functions.
A ‘Skyview’ panoramic roof, measuring 2,340 by 1,280mm is available for Excel models, as is full leather trim.
A comfort pack for Sport grade bundles automatic wipers and headlights, smart entry/start and folding door mirrors.
For full range pricing details, click on the ‘Press Release’ button below.
Click here for details of the Japanese-built Auris/Corolla
