Jalopnik: auris

European Toyota Corolla Hatch Spotted In Phoenix

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST

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!)

Celebrate The New Year With A New Auris

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST

Those crazy folks at Toyota sure now how to party. This new year they're going to be debuting a new top-o-the-line Auris SR180 (the Auris being the hatch version of the European Corolla Hatch, and a social disease common in the West Indies). This range topper comes with a 175 horsepower 2.2 liter diesel that scoots the little hatch to 62 mph in a respectable 8.1 seconds while still producing 45.6 MPG in combined cylce driving. Oh, and of course you can get it in the Pure White paint job, which the press release describes as "über-cool." Photos and press release below.

Toyota Auris SR180

• New sports-focused Toyota Auris SR180 flagship model
• Toyota Motorsport lowered suspension and rear spoiler
• Dark-tinted rear privacy glass
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 175bhp 2.2 D-4D engine gives nought to 62mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds
• On sale on 1 January 2008
• Prices £17,995 (three-door) and £18,495 (five-door)
•
A new flagship Toyota Auris hits the streets early next year, giving the range a new sporting edge. The SR180 does not stint on eye-appeal, with Toyota Motorsport lowered suspension springs giving it a ground-hugging stance and a neat new rear spoiler positioned atop the tailgate. Dark-tinted rear privacy glass and five-spoke 17-inch alloys add further to the style factor, while the choice of body colours includes an über-cool Pure White.

The SR180 is far from being all-show-and-no-do. The 2.2-litre D-4D engine generates 175bhp and a maximum 400Nm of torque from 2,000rpm, giving responsive and rewarding driving performance through the six-speed manual transmission. Benchmark acceleration from nought to 62mph is 8.1 seconds, while the D-4D engine's strong fuel efficiency returns an official 45.6mpg in combined cycle driving.

Further driving rewards are delivered by the dedicated, lightweight double wishbone rear suspension, tailored specifically to meet the demands of the model's higher performance characteristics. Vehicle stability control (VSC) with traction control (TRC) are provided as standard.

In keeping with its flagship status, the SR180 has a high equipment specification with automatic dual-zone air conditioning, dusk-sensing headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control all part of the standard package.

The new model is available to order now (for delivery in January), with both three and five-door versions available, priced respectively £17,995 and £18,495 on the road. [Toyota via World Car Fans]

Toyota Builds Excitement in Japan With Blade Master G

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EDT

While Toyota's been following the US-market line of boring car buyers into a vegetative state, then taking their money, in Japan they're playing mix-and-match with stuff in their parts bin to quicken buyers' collective pulse. In Japan, Toyota's offering a hotted-up version of its Blade hatch — itself a sportier variant of the Corolla-based Auris hatch. Removing the Blade's standard 2.4-liter four, ToMoCo replaced it with the same 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 as powers the Lexus IS350 in the US. The result is the Blade Master G. The hot hatch produces 276 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. The engine swap puts an modest extra 176 lbs on the Blade's front section, which Winding Road surmises will likely give it the nose of a 1989 Barolo Monprivato, though not quite in those terms. A six-speed sequential auto with paddle shifters, 17-inch alloys and a deeper-inset grille complete the package. Nodding off is likely not an option. [Winding Road]

I'll Cut You: Toyota Launches Blade in Japan

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:06:03 EST

Toyota launched its new Blade hatch in Japan earlier today. Named not for the weapon of choice among Yakuza assassins of past decades, rather to "suggest an automobile with a 'sharpness' that fascinates people" (hmm), the Blade is a swank version of the Auris, which will is essentially a hatchback'd Corolla. It's got an interior swaddled in leather and alcantara, a 167-hp 2.4-liter four, and despite its mock-violent name, it's targeted to those approaching retirement. More important for our purposes, however, are rumors that a 280-hp, hot-hatch version could follow next year, sporting Toyota's 3.5-liter GR-FE V6. Dare we dream of a Toyota? – Mike Spinelli

Press conference on the Toyota Blade HDTV [Nihon Car and Bike]

T(u)RD Kit: The Toyota Auris Sportiva

Ray Wert — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:07:19 EDT

We just showed you the new Toyota Auris the other day and folks were already lamenting the plain-Jane upgrades available for Toyota's newest entry into the euro C-segment market. Without a performance upgrade, how could Japan's A-plus number one bestest automaker compete with the VDub GTI's of the world? Well, the folks in Toyota's aftermarket speed-freak shop, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), are already getting their body kit action on — so at the very least you'll be able to kit up your Auris to look like it's got the horsepower to match what the rest of the kiddies have. And don't worry — it'll still look that way when they're a mile ahead of you too. – Ray Wert

Auris Sportivo Version by TRD [Nihon Car]

Vibrant Clarity: Toyota Reveals Auris for Europe

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 07:54:31 EDT

With little in the way of fanfare (other than a quick e-mail), Toyota revealed the production version of the Auris C-segment concept it showed off in Paris last month. The new Auris hatch, which was designed at Toyota's new European design center under the company's new "Vibrant Clarity" design language, is built on an entirely new platform, and will sport a range of gas (1.4, 1.6 liter) and particulate-fiiltered diesel (1.4, 2.0, 2.2) engines. Six-speed manual is standard, with paddle-shifted MultiMode transmission an option on models with the 1.6-liter gas and 1.4-liter diesel engines. Europeans will get their first eyeful at the Bologna show in December, with sales set for spring 2007. [Gallery] – Mike Spinelli

Related:
Paris Show Wrap-up: Toyota Auris Concept [internal]

Paris Show Wrap-up: Toyota Auris Concept

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 18:27:04 EDT

Last week at the Paris show, Toyota showed off a new C-segment compact that employs the company's recent "Vibrant Clarity" design vocabulary — a combination of soft, flowing lines and hard surfaces introduced with its FSC concept at last year's Tokyo motor show. The Auris space concept showcases how deft spacial engineering can make even miniscule spaces comfortable and inviting for passengers. A panoramic glass roof, flat passenger floor and high windows, the company says, contribute to SUPER LIGHT-AND-SPACE POTENTIAL, while the 19" alloys, visible brake calipers and chrome exhausts integrated into the rear bumper make for FAST MAXIMUM SPORTY GO! (please, mom, don't take our Japanese magazines away, we'll be good). [Gallery] – Mike Spinelli