The Toyota Auris range as shown at the Geneva Motor Show today, has been extensively revised for 2015 to increase its appeal to a wider range of customers.
Refreshed exterior and interior styling is the core change. In the cabin the focus is on higher levels of sensory quality, using premium quality trims and finishes. Additional measures to reduce NVH levels have been taken and detail adjustments to steering and suspension have improved handling, comfort and driver involvement.
Internationally, Auris also becomes the recipient of a new four-cylinder, direct-injection 1.2-litre turbocharged engine. This additional powertrain option, however, will not be available in South Africa at this time. Our local engine line-up remains as is with both hybrid and normally-aspirated petrol powered options.
The big news is the refreshed exterior styling presents a new-look front and rear, giving Auris a more prestigious and sophisticated road presence.
In profile the new styling generates longer overhangs, improving the overall balance of the design and leading the eye in a sweeping line from the front Toyota emblem to the rear lamp cluster. A new shark fin roof antenna and 16 and 17-inch alloy wheel designs add further impact.
To the rear, the lower half of the car has been completely redesigned, again to add visual emphasis to the vehicle’s broad stance. The width of the deeper, more muscular bumper design is amplified by the location of reflector lamp housings at the furthest edges and by a thin chrome trim line. The rear lamp clusters use LED light guide technology, giving Auris its own, distinctive lighting signature.
On board, the sensory quality of the cabin has been significantly raised with a redesigned dashboard, upgraded quality trims and surface finishes as well as a new 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen (on all hybrids and higher grade models). The driver’s instrument binnacle has a stronger, more sporting design with deep-dished tachometer and speedometer dials either side of a new 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen.
The 2015 Auris range further benefits from suspension and steering revisions to improve ride comfort, handling and driver involvement. Numerous measures have also been introduced NVH transmitted into the cabin.
Details of the upgraded Auris range will be disclosed closer to its local launch later this year.
