Toyota has put the running gear from its hybrid Prius into the mainstream Auris to create the Auris HSD, that's Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Toyota is the global leader in hybrid technology, with over 2.5m hybrids on the world's roads. Now Toyota is putting the technology into a conventional range that already features petrol and diesel-powered models. We went to its European launch in Barcelona to test drive the car.
Auris recently got a much needed mid-lifecycle facelift that still leaves the Golf-sized car trailing in terms of desirability next to the main competition like the VW, Focus, Astra and Mazda3, to name a few. But now the Japanese brand takes the high ground with superb green credentials in the form of the Auris HSD.
There is 136bhp available from the combined power of the four-cylinder, 1.8-litre petrol engine and the electric motor. The CO2 emission figure is just 89g/100km and fuel consumption is listed at 3.8 litres per 100km travelled on average.
Like Prius3 there is an engine, an electric motor and electronic brain under the bonnet. The brain controls the power delivery to the front wheels and of course the recharging of the battery pack. The battery pack is in the boot and surprisingly there is still a decent bit of boot space in the five-door hatchback.
As Auris HSD uses Prius3's running gear the CVT automatic gearbox will still cause concern for some. This is because the Auris up to now has been a conventional machine and CVT gearboxes are very rare. They make a whine when revved as they have just one continuously variable gear - in other words it can sound like a badly slipping clutch when you accelerate. Once drivers get their heads around this drone, and drive the HSD with an eye to fuel economy, the irritating sound is mostly negated.
Auris HSD has a good bit of poke but Toyota tells us the 1.8-litre, which sounds a bit big in a car this size, is designed to run as efficiently as possible, so we should not think about an engine's cc in the future. There is a weight penalty that uses up a good few bhp and suspension modifications have been made to take the extra 55kg over the front wheels and 50kg on the rear.
There are three power modes that you can select using buttons under the stubby, fly-by-wire gear selector; EV/Eco and PWR. Electric Vehicle mode allows up to 2km of silent electric motor only travel at up to 50km/h (once you are light with the accelerator). Eco does what is says on the tin by delivering 50% of power to 80% accelerator input, while PWR or Power tells the car's brain to do the reverse. In other words, if the accelerator is pressed down 50%, the car delivers 80% of power.
Maintenance is very affordable as the HSD has no clutch, starter motor or alternator. Also as the car uses regenerative braking, its brake pads will last much longer. Toyota says Auris HSD has the same cost of maintenance as a 1-litre Yaris supermini!
Auris HSD, sadly, will not be cheap to buy. Toyota Ireland is still negotiating the price with Japan but for now we can expect a mid-twenties price tag when it comes here later in the year. It will be a shame if it cannot be priced to be a big seller as a lot more people would be open to the idea of owning a green, 'C' sector car - and you can have any colour as long as its pearl white!
Michael Sheridan
