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04/10/2007 12:57 PM - (SA) Toyota Auris diesel is good value for money 051007
The model we evaluated was the Auris 2.0 D-4D RS. Toyota has plenty of experience with diesel powered commercials in South Africa, but this is the first time that they have marketed a diesel powered passenger vehicle. The 2.0 litre 16 valve double overhead cam, turbo charged engine produces 93 kW at 3600 rpm and a very substantial 300 Nm of torque between 2000 and 2800 rpm. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 5.7l/100 km. To transmit this power to the road the Auris 2.0 D-4D utilises a six speed manual transmission through a front wheel drive configuration. Body styling is very smooth, even the bulbous new nose of the previous Toyota range has been softened to give a more pleasing look, the new body is aerodynamic efficiency has resulted in a drag coefficient of just 0.292. The interior of the Auris is spacious, allowing five passengers to travel in comfort and carry a fair amount of luggage in the rear compartment. Styling of the interior is very interesting from the binnacle mounted Optitronic instruments to a semi floating centre consul. All controls are well positioned and easy to operate, with one exception, the control switch for the information display is mounted on the left side of the instrument panel and operation entails trying to get your hand around the steering wheel to reach this rather small control knob. The leather covered steering wheel is fully adjustable and houses the remote control switches for the consul mounted audio system. On this model it is a radio/6 CD player with MP3 compatibility and delivers sound through six speakers. The gear lever is mounted high on the centre consul and falls easily to hand, just behind the gearshift is the ergonomically shaped hand-brake lever. The centre consul also houses the audio system and controls for the air con-ditioning system. Electric windows front and rear as well as electrically adjustable side mirrors complete the package. There's no compromise when it comes to passive safety, and the Auris has credited with a maximum five-star rating in the stringent Euro-NCAP crash tests. With top scores achieved for adult occupant protection, child protection and pedestrian safety. Auris is fitted with front and side air bags for the driver and front seat passenger as well as driver knee and curtain shield airbags. On the dynamic side of safety there's ABS, EBD and brake assist ensuring maximum possible occupant safety. The new electric power steering system employed on the Auris is well balanced and loaded up nicely with increased speed. The chassis dynamics are, as usual for most Toyotas good and the Auris coped with all types of surface and conditions with aplomb. The handling is fairly neutral and inspires confidence in the vehicles capability. The ride itself was smooth, even on many of our deteriorating roads and offered a very comfortable ride. That 300 Nm of torque gives the Auris an amazingly tractable performance, from low speed traffic situations to climbing very steep passes, the car always had plenty in reserve without the need to constantly play with the gearbox. Overall the Auris proved to be an extremely good package, although a couple of things bothered me. Firstly, I found that on hard acceleration the engine noise became a bit intrusive and try as I may, I could not get the claimed fuel consumption figure, the best I managed on a combined cycle was 6.5 l/100 km. Incidentally the name Auris is derived from a combination of the Latin word 'Aurum' meaning gold, and the English word 'aura' that refers to a distinctive atmosphere. Pricing for the Auris 2.0 D-4D RS is R 213 900 and that includes a five year 90 000 km service plan. Thanks to Helderberg Toyota for the test vehicle.
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