The Toyota Auris Hybrid Version

Toyota is introducing the hybrid power train to its Toyota Auris range

. It's a third power-train option - after regular petrol and diesel engines - for buyers in the all-important family hatchback market and a very clear signal that Toyota is not prepared to give up on the hybrid model for all the hype over full electric vehicles.

For the few who still don't understand the hybrid, basically you get a regular petrol engine but support it with an electric motor. The power comes either from the motor or the engine or a mix of both.

In Toyota's defense, it offers hybrid alongside other versions, not instead of them. The hybrid principles can also be applied to any combination of technologies. For now it features a petrol engine and the electric motor Overall, it's about widening the hybrid audience and that's where this Auris comes in. The body may be the same as the regular petrol and diesel variants of the family hatchback but the power-train is from the latest Prius. The 1.8-liter petrol engine is matched to a nickel-metal hydride battery; the power from both equating to 136bhp.

Toyota claims that's equivalent to a 2-liter petrol engine, which would seem more than ample for a family hatchback.

This is very noticeable on hill climbs or overtaking, when you boot down expecting the revs to flicker up and down as the power increases. The engineers say you can overcome this with a little change to your throttle movements As to the rest of the car, when cruising, or in towns with the battery providing back-up, it settles down nicely and noise/vibration issues are not a problem. The ride on either the 15" or 17" wheels is comfortable, and the car's handling differs little from the regular. The only way you can tell is that the hybrid Auris will only come in pearlescent white and carry the hybrid logo on the boot As to the all important fuel consumption and emission figures, the Auris promises and average fuel figure of 3.8l/100km and a CO2 of just 89g/km. Take one for a test drive today.

by: Jepan Mihai.

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