2008 New Toyota Auris Review
The Toyota Corolla is the most successful car in the world, has Toyota made the correct decision in replacing this fantastically popular model with the new Toyota Auris (pronounced Owris). Only time will tell.
So, why is it called the Auris and not just the next generation of the Corolla? Well, first of all standardisation, the Auris is a name that is easily pronounced across the European countries in which it will be sold and also Toyota say that it fits in better with other models in its range like the Yaris and the Avensis. The actual name Auris is derived from the Latin for gold (Aurum) and Toyota must be hoping the Auris will help with the push to become the number one car manufacturer in the world.
However the main reason for the name change appears to be the fact that this is not the next generation Corolla, this is a totally new car, built on a totally new platform. Toyota has two slogans for the launch of the new Auris "Designed in Europe for Europe" and "Inside out" design, the Europe slogan reflects the fact that the new Auris was designed at Toyota's European Design Development Centre, ED2, in the south of France, the "inside out" reflects just that, the car was designed from the inside out with the driver and passengers in mind and it shows. Toyota have maximised the usable space in the cabin and increased passenger comfort by the inclusion of lower floors and higher window surfaces. The new centre console increases space for driver and front passenger and raises the gear lever and other controls to an ergonomic height, all touches that set it apart from the Corolla it replaces.
At launch you will have a choice of two body styles (three or five door), five trim levels (T2,TR, T3, T Spirit and T180) and five engines. The top performer is the 2.2-litre D-4D turbo diesel, which will accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.2 and returns 45.6 mpg (preliminary figures) on the combined cycle.
Build quality on the Auris, as with all Toyota's, is exceptional, with the added plus that five door variants will be produced at the Burnaston plant near Derby (almost a British car), whilst the three door is manufactured in Turkey all to Toyota's exacting standards.
The Auris is entering the extremely competitive marketplace of the C Segment, which includes the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, but with the history of the Corolla, who would bet against the Auris and Toyota in delivering an extremely fierce competitor.
Like the looks of the Toyota Auris, why not check out the Citroen C3, the Volkswagen Golf, the Ford Focus or the Peugeot 307.
Finance your new Toyota Auris on a PCP car loan work out your monthly payments using our Car Finance Payment Calculator.
