Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid revealed, will go on sale in 2010

Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept

It’s been quite sometime that we’ve been hearing that Toyota is working on a hybrid that is smaller than the Toyota Prius. It was first reported that Toyota is working on a hybrid variant of the Yaris, which the company eventually denied. However, it did confirm that a smaller hybrid is on the way.

Well, we’ll have our first look at the compact hybrid at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next week with the new Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept.

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept shares its powertrain with the new 2010 Toyota Prius. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system is paired with a 98-hp 1.8L engine that helps the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept go from 0 to 62 mph in 10 seconds while returning CO2 emissions below 100 g/km. Estimated fuel-economy figures were not released. The model also features ECO mode to maximize fuel-economy and a POWER mode to boost performance. An EV mode is also available that allows the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept to run on electric power alone for up to 1.2 miles at speeds of up to 31 mph.

The model also features dash-top mounted solar panels that generate enough power to recharge mobile phones or music players mounted in charging trays on each side of the dashboard.

Toyota said that the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept will go into production, with sales due to start in the second half of 2010. Want it in the U.S.? Beg for it in the comments section below.

Follow the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept:

Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept

Press Release

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept is proof of Toyota’s intention to extend its full hybrid technology to European mainstream models. Toyota is committed to reducing the global impact of motor vehicles, by making the environmentally-friendly credentials of Hybrid Synergy Drive® (HSD) accessible to a wider customer base. The company is on-track to offering a hybrid version of every model in the early 2020s.

The C-segment is considered to be the centre of gravity of the European car market. Consequently, the installation of Hybrid Synergy Drive® within the Toyota Auris is the logical first step in the deployment of full hybrid technology across Toyota’s entire European model range.

The introduction of the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept also aims to create an important shift in customer perceptions of full hybrid technology. The advantages of exceptional fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions are obvious. However, the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid customer will also experience a smooth and sophisticated driving experience, unique to the C segment, thanks to the everyday usability, driving comfort and remarkable quietness of Toyota’s Full Hybrid powertrain.

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, with sales due to start in the second half of 2010.

Exterior Design

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept reflects the installation of Full Hybrid technology in an entirely mainstream package. Subtle styling enhancements, targeting improved aerodynamic efficiency and blue accented, hybrid badging instantly identify the car as the latest addition to Toyota’s full hybrid fleet.

The front has been designed to optimise the flow of air over the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept in the interest of maximising fuel efficiency. Front and rear bumper corners feature flat surfaces. This not only gives the car a wide, solid stance, but also smoothes the flow of air down the flanks of the car, minimising turbulence and drag.

With a ride height lowered by 20mm, the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept features under-body panels and a rear diffuser to smooth and control the flow of air beneath the car, further improving fuel efficiency. Unique 18″ alloy wheels are designed to minimise air turbulence within the wheel arches. The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept is also equipped with low rolling resistance tyres and a larger, more efficient rear spoiler. These aerodynamic elements target a drag coefficient of just 0.28.

In common with every Toyota vehicle at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept is presented in a striking, white pearl finish. This reflects the clean, high technology, sub- 100 g/km credentials and superb environmental performance of the concept car’s Hybrid Synergy Drive®.

Roomy, relaxed and high quality interior

Within the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept’s comfortable, roomy and practical cabin, several unique styling features hallmark the vehicle’s full hybrid status.

The seats and upper dashboard are finished in blue, Gaucholino leather with light blue accent stitching. Complementing the concept car’s exterior body colour, the centre console and side air vents receive a refined, highly tactile pearl white finish.

The driver’s instrument cluster features hybrid blue illumination, combining high technology styling with an easy-to-read, visually relaxing design. Alloy pedals further reinforce the performance attributes of HSD technology, and the steering wheel is of a new, flat bottomed design for ease of access and improved driver upper legroom. Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept-specific entry and exit sequenced illumination includes external, door mirror-mounted puddle lights and unique, ambient footwell and roof contour illumination. Thick, high quality carpeting enhances on-board comfort and refinement. It also contributes to a marked improvement in cabin quietness.

Refined driving experience

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept shares the latest generation Prius’ powertrain. It brings the extraordinarily refined, smooth and silent Hybrid Synergy Drive® experience to a Toyota mainstream model customer base for the first time in Europe.

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in approximately 10 seconds, yet returns class leading combined cycle fuel economy, and CO2 emissions below 100 g/km.

The Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid offers four driving modes, including three on-demand modes to further increase the capabilities of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® powertrain.

An ECO mode maximises hybrid system efficiency and fuel economy. A POWER mode boosts system performance. And, only available to vehicles equipped with full hybrid technology, an EV mode allows for ultra-quiet running on electric motor power alone for up to 2 km at speeds of up to 50 km/h, resulting in zero fuel consumption, zero CO2 and zero PM.

Taking advantage of the inherent operational quietness of Hybrid Synergy Drive®, particular attention has also been paid to further Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) reduction measures. This ensures customers enjoy a calm, quiet cabin environment at all vehicle speeds. Road and engine noise have been rigorously suppressed through the comprehensive use of sound-proofing materials. Full thickness glazing and an acoustic windscreen design further reduce wind noise for improved quietness at cruising speeds.

Environmentally efficient technology

First realised in the latest generation Toyota Prius, the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept introduces a further development in the field of solar powered ventilation technology. Solar panels have been applied to the entire roof surface of the full hybrid Toyota Auris. The solar powered ventilation prevents the interior air temperature from rising.

In the coming years, Toyota aims at offering solar panels which can recharge the hybrid battery.

Similar technology has also been incorporated into the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept interior. Dash-top mounted solar panels generate sufficient power to recharge mobile phones or music players mounted in purpose-made charging trays on each side of the dashboard. In the coming year, Toyota aims and offering solar panels wich can recharge the hybrid battery.

Further energy saving measures include the use of LED technology for both front and rear lights, once again improving HSD efficiency for enhanced fuel economy.

– By: Kap Shah