Toyota to unveil new Auris hybrid

Toyota will display its latest hybrid vehicle, the Auris HSD, at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.

Britain will become the first country in Europe to build hybrid cars following the decision by Toyota to produce the Auris at its Burnaston plant near Derby.

The Auris hybrid shares its chassis, 1.8litre petrol engine and electric motor with the Prius, but is a smaller and lighter vehicle. The new Prius emits CO₂ emissions of 89g per kilometre, and has an average fuel consumption figure of 72.4mpg.

The Auris will be pitched as a rival to the £15,490 Honda Insight Hybrid, a car recently crowned Green Car of the Year by the Environmental Transport Association.

Greenest car maker?

Toyota will also display its new plug-in Prius car and its latest iQ city cars models at the show, which runs for ten days from17th September.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Car makers at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show are falling over themselves in their efforts to be seen as the greenest manufacturer. The spotlight seems to be on the hybrids, but super-efficient city cars like the iQ may prove to be the best sellers.”

Greener driving

The ETA provides motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and insurance. The ETA exists in order to campaign for sustainable transport