Here’s Toyota’s predicament and by all marketing speak it’s a doozie: Toyota has developed its 4^th-generation hybrid engine – while many are still to unveil their first – but with the FT-86 on the way also has a performance obligation to meet. They’re trying to solve both with one car: The Auris.

This opposite ends approach differs from the other manufacturers because (in many cases) they’re moving from established performance cars to hybrid ones – the natural progression.

Toyota’s eco-safe city cars have been around locally since 2005 and suddenly backtracking a performance TRD division from the lurch could confuse its identity.

In the States the Prius has sold exceptionally well  and not because it’s a wise investment. Spurred on by the glamour of watching their favourite stars do their bit for the world is very persuasive advertising – for their own personal image and Toyota’s.

However, in South Africa hybrid cars haven’t captured our imagination or our wallets.

Government not so keen on Green

Government remains the most influential force behind the slow adoption of hybrid models. They’ve refused to subsidise green motoring or the low carbon footprint. Little competition in the hybrid genre is another factor – until more manufacturers introduce hybrid technology consumers won’t believe in the product.

On the road

Six years of evolution to a hybrid drivetrain is an enormous advantage for Toyota’s competition to claw back and now the Auris is the latest beneficiary of this technology.

New Auris HSD implements the latest Atkinson cycle engine which works similarly to the engine used in the Lexus CT200h and will be used in the upcoming Prius model.

Minor improvements have reduced consumption from 4.2l/100km to 3.8l/100km and best-in-class power figure of 73kW from the 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine. In the hands of rather hasty journalists it averaged 5.5l/100km and never went above 6.9l/100km/h in prolonged power mode. Soaking up the scenery in the tail of slow-moving traffic one can switch to full electric EV mode at speeds under 50km/h.

Unlike the current variety of hybrid models the interior of the Auris is orthodox. The dashboard doesn’t flash from red hues to green ones, depending on mode, and no disapproving alarm bells to command a new driving style.

It’s a hybrid you can drive the way you would any other car – behind the scenes it takes care of business efficiently. The CVT gearbox is one murderous drone but performance is ample, handling too.

Despite its hiatus from aftermarket performance, TRD is less of an alien product within Toyota’s family album. In South Africa it began with the 1983 1.8-litre Corolla and was followed by the RunX RSI TRD in 2006.

TRD is an independent tuning firm used by Toyota in the development of more niche products. TRD was commissioned to do the carbon fibre fabrication on the Lexus LFA and the three-letter badge is often plastered to the rump of aspiring Toyota Tazz models.

Under the bonnet of the TRD Auris is a fearsome embrace of boost pipes connecting the centrifugal charger to the prominent intercooler.  Power from the 1.6-litre supercharged engine is an underwhelming 132kW (up from 97kW) and 203Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes around nine seconds.

Slightly quicker than the RunX RSi, we’re told as if expected to be impressed.

On the road the engine needs to be given a healthy dosage of rpm and although brisk through the six cogs is no match for a Polo GTi, Peugeot 308 GTi or Megane GTline. They’ve also cheated on the interior by excluding the mandatory touches of aluminium to the pedals and gear shifter or a set of firmer bucket seats.

Stiffened and shortened springs as well as thicker anti-roll bars allow the TRD to sniff out tight hairpins without dealing the same compression over straight roads.

Cheeky or cheated looks

Conservative Toyota owners will appreciate the fact they can now own a lukewarm hatch without drawing the attention of zealous GTi racers massaging the accelerator pedal at red robots. Enjoying the anonymity of subtle extensions to the front and rear bumper, new side skirts and 17’’ alloys sets the tempo but there’s no large diameter single-bore pipe – or the sound of forced induction.

The HSD hybrid characterises itself with a blue Toyota badge on the nose, different alloys and, like the TRD, small badging on the rump.

Verdict

Neither model is expected to be a volume seller for Toyota but there will be a great deal learnt from the reaction towards them. Both will enjoy being sheltered by the existing Auris models and Toyota expect this familiarity with the current range will give buyers the confidence to step into the new offerings.

The Auris HSD is a fuss-free, economical hatch with conventional looks and a good spread of power. It is also backed by an eight-year battery warranty. It’s available in two trim levels; the higher-spec XR model adds cruise control, leather seats, rain-sensing wipers and reverse camera.

The Auris TRD is phased for a cautious 200 units over the next ten months and although pricing has yet been confirmed Toyota is aiming to sell it below R300 000. Warranty stays the same as all Auris models but oil changes have been moved to a more frequent service interval to accommodate the supercharger.