Toyota has released prices and specifications for the new Auris, which will go on sale in December. The British-built five-door hatchback, which makes its world debut later this week at the Paris motor show, will be launched in a four-grade line-up with on-the-road prices from £14,495.

All powertrain options will be available from the start of sales: 1.33 Dual VVT-i and 1.6 Valvematic petrol and 1.4 D-4D diesel units, plus Auris Hybrid with Hybrid Synergy Drive. The petrol and diesel models all use a six-speed manual transmission, with Toyota’s Multidrive S CVT offered as an option on the 1.6 Valvematic. Auris Hybrid uses an E-CVT automatic.

2013 Toyota Auris

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2013 Toyota Auris

Grade structure and specifications

New Auris will introduce a new Toyota grade structure, which rises from an entry-level Active trim, through Icon and Sport to the top-of-the range Excel. The 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine will be available in Active and Icon grades; the 1.6 Valvematic in Icon, Sport and Excel; and the 1.4 D-4D in all trims. Auris Hybrid will be offered in Icon and Excel versions.

All new Auris will be equipped as standard with seven airbags, a new follow-me-home lighting system, Hill-start Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Control and LED daytime running lights.

Active grade will include: –

• Automatic air conditioning
• Four-speaker audio system with USB and Aux connection and MP3 file player (from disc)
• Electrically adjustable, heated, body-coloured door mirrors
• Electric front windows

Key features of the Icon grade include: –

• 16-inch alloy wheels (15-inch for Auris Hybrid)
• Six-speaker audio system
• DAB tuner
• Toyota Touch multimedia control screen
• Bluetooth
• Rear-view camera
• Electric front and rear windows
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob trim
• Front fog lamps
• Push-button start (Auris Hybrid)

Sport grade adds sportier elements inside and out to the Icon specification, including: –

• 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for 1.4 D-4D model)
• Sports front seats
• Sports grille
• Rear diffuser and exhaust trim
• Rear privacy glass

At the top of the range, Excel grade provides: –

• 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for 1.4  D-4D model)
• Black velour seat upholstery, with leather bolsters
• Dual-zone climate control
• Smart Entry and Start
• Park assist system, with front and rear parking sensors
• Cruise control (not available on 1.4 D-4D model)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Dusk-sensing headlights
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Electric folding door mirrors
• Heated front seats
• Driver’s seat lumbar support
• Rear privacy glass

Park assist system

A new park assist system will be available in the Auris range, fitted as standard to Excel models and an affordable option for Icon and Sport versions. Not only will it steer the car neatly into a space, it will also help manoeuvre it out again.

Suitable for kerbside parking, it is designed to be quick, safe, simple and intuitive to use, and comes with front and rear parking sensors, too. Activated using a button on the centre console, it uses ultrasonic technology to determine whether a parking space is large enough for the car. Once the measurement is complete, the driver is invited to stop. The system will then govern the reverse steering of the vehicle into the parking space, with the driver controlling the accelerator and brake; for added safety, the system also indicates when the driver should apply the brakes.

The system is more sophisticated than any previously featured on a production Toyota in the UK, 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.

Equipment options

Owners can upgrade their new Auris’s specification with a range of comfort, convenience and styling options.

The Toyota Touch multimedia system on Icon, Sport and Excel models can be upgraded to Toyota Touch & Go, introducing satellite navigation and more sophisticated on-board connectivity and Bluetooth functions.

A Skyview panoramic roof, measuring 2,340 by 1,280mm, available for Excel models, brings significantly more light into the cabin and increases the sense of spaciousness. Leather upholstery can also be specified for Auris Excel.

A Comfort Pack is available for Sport grade, which bundles rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, Smart Entry and Start and a folding function for the door mirrors.

New Auris prices