Auris HSD Unveiling

Exclusively designed for the European market, the Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) introduces full hybrid technology to a core model at the heart of Toyota’s model line-up.

It marks the first step in the deployment of HSD technology across the company’s entire European model range by the early 2020s.

Built in Britain at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston factory, it targets an important shift in customer perceptions of full hybrid drive technology.

The prospect of Britain – and Europe’s – first home-manufactured full hybrid model was welcomed by the UK Government.

Business Minister Ian Lucas said: "I'm delighted that Toyota has chosen its UK plants to produce the first European Toyota hybrid car and I look forward to seeing it when I’m in Geneva for the Motor Show.

"Toyota’s commitment to reduce CO2 emissions gives fresh impetus to our vision for the UK to lead in the design, manufacture and use of low carbon cars."

Auris HSD will be available in two levels: 89g/km and 92g/km, both offer the lowest CO2 emissions and strongest fuel economy in their class. HSD will thus play a significant role in further reducing Toyota’s European whole-fleet average CO2 emissions.

These have already fallen by 14g/km between 2008 and 2009 to 132g/km, thanks to the introduction of Toyota Optimal Drive technology.

Auris HSD adopts the new exterior styling introduced across the Auris 2010 model range, including a completely redesigned front-end. It also displays a number of model-specific features which help improve the car’s aerodynamic efficiency and reference the presence of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.

The opening in the upper front grille has been optimised to promote a smooth flow of air over the upper half of the body, and the lower grille has been made larger to reduce airflow resistance and improve engine cooling efficiency.

With a revised foglamp configuration, the flat, vertical surface of the corners of the front bumper corrects the airflow as it passes over the front wheels, helping minimise turbulence in the wheelarches.

Auris HSD is a full hybrid capable of operating in petrol and electric modes alone, or a combination of both. Its Hybrid Synergy Drive system delivers the energy-saving qualities of a series hybrid, combined with the performance benefits of a parallel hybrid.

Toyota’s latest generation Hybrid Synergy Driver uses a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine, a powerful electro motor, generator, high performance battery and a power control unit. A power split device with a planetary gear system combines and reallocated power from the engine, electric motor and generator according to the car’s operational requirements.

The lightweight and compact four-cylinder, 1,798cc Atkinson Cycle VVT-i engine develops 97bhp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The high performance permanent magnet synchronous 60kW electric motor generates a maximum 207Nm between zero and 13,000rpm.

Powered by the hybrid battery, the electric motor works in tandem with the petrol engine to boost acceleration in normal driving. When the car is operating in EV (electric vehicle) mode, it alone powers the driven wheels.

During deceleration and under braking, the electric motor acts as a high-output generator to effect regenerative braking, recovering kinetic energy that would normally be wasted as heat for storage as electrical energy in the battery.

In combination, the petrol engine and electric motor generated a maximum system power output of 134bhp, giving performance to match a conventional 2.0-litre petrol or diesel hatchback. Conversely, Auris HSD lower CO2 emissions and significantly lower NOx emissions than diesel-powered cars of comparable performance.

Auris HSD is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in July. Further details of performance, technical specifications, model grades and equipment features will be announced nearer the launch date.

(PR/GK)