Spy Photos, auris, corolla, corolla hatch, toyota, toyota auris, toyota corolla

European Toyota Corolla Hatch Spotted In Phoenix

We love when readers send in their own spy photos, whether from a cameraphone, point-and-shoot or DSLR. OK, that's a lie — we absolutely prefer DSLR. But we digress. Automakers in the Phoenix, Arizona area better beware as Josh (who also grabbed the left-hand-drive Nissan GT-R) has spotted yet another out-of-place Japanese car wandering the streets. This time it's the Toyota Auris, which is the European five-door Toyota Corolla hatchback. A five-door Corolla testing in the desert, in winter, with Michigan manny plates, you say?

We've got some theories as to what's going on, but none of them are good enough to print (and at least three involve Charles Barkley). Does anyone out there have a good theory? (Hat tip to Josh!)

10:00 AM on Mon Mar 3 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,627 views
20 comments

Comments

Ash78 at 10:08 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 195
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Well, if they hadn't just introduced the new Matrix, that would have been my guess.

Maybe they're doing grid testing. That is, finding the greatest concentration of 90-degree, cardinal grid streets in the US to approximate the most boring possible driving conditions ;)
scottyboy at 10:11 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Auris-Shmauris, It is the new Matrix. They're already on dealers' lots and for sale.
yellofury * * * * * at 10:13 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Scion?
mikedrawcar at 10:16 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

@ash78: that would be appropriate for Toyota.

Ahhh! a 120-degree corner, time for that "sport" tuned suspension!
mikedrawcar at 10:20 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

[www.kingtet.com]
POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO at 10:21 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 592
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Judging from the picture, I think it picked the wrong time of day to sun itself.
graverobber- Same... at 10:22 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 181
Brought to you by Acura TSX

A butt-load of manufacturers hot-weather test cars in the American South-west, despite the cars not being sold here. Also, U.S. car makers frequently buy and evaluate competing products - well, apparently Chrysler doesn't if the new Sebring is anything to go by.
halfshafter at 10:26 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Caught sunning self? Looks more like prostituting.
Ray Wert at 10:34 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 177
Brought to you by Acura TSX

@やのГ人Ӄ: Apparently nobody's getting my ironic edits.
Advice...Gun_It at 10:40 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Hard so say, but it looks like the line between the Toyota Corolla and the Subaru WRX is getting even more blurred.

(In a bad way)
Maymar at 10:41 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Part of Toyota's evil world domination scheme, they're probably testing to see if it's superior to a Pinto in concealing mind-controling equipment.

For the record, I only support evil world domination schemes in which I'm part of.
Joepel at 11:11 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

That's not the Auris, not sure what the hell it is but the Auris doesn't have those reflectors/lights in the bumper/fender/whatever they're called there.
Benson2175 at 11:45 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

I hope nobody paid for this "spy" photo.
Strega07 at 11:46 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Thanks for the Hat Tip, just doing my job for Jalop-Nation
-Josh
20vMRToo at 11:50 AM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Umm..isn't that just the new Matrix?...looks just like the '09. Which IS a Corolla with a hatch?

[www.toyota.com]

Am I missing something here?
jakay11 at 12:00 PM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

just doing some hot-weather testing...
nothing to look at here...
go about your business, nothing to look at here...
SoLoveLA at 12:09 PM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

Just like the guys above said its a garden variety US market 2009 Toyota Matrix.
Matt Hardigree at 12:11 PM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

@20vMRToo: They are similar autos, but note that the Auris has much different proportions than the Matrix, especially around the fenders.
ahasuerus at 05:10 PM on 03/03/08
Reply by Email
*

its a new matrix is all:

[www.leftlanenews.com]

vs.

[jalopnik.com]
Tom at 07:21 PM on 03/04/08
Reply by Email
*

who cares?, the most boring car in the entire world spotted in the most desalout city in the entire world