The Toyota Auris will field a number of improvements when it arrives in South Africa next month.
Toyota’s VW Golf rival has been given a facelift for 2015 starting with updates to the exterior. There’s a more pronounced grille with chrome detailing and a reshaped lower bumper which sandwiches revised headlights. The goal behind the styling was to give the Toyota Auris a more muscular stance, appearing wider and lower than before. Larger overhangs give off the impression of a longer side profile but exterior dimensions remain unchanged.
The Auris should drive with more refinement and better control from the updated suspension and new steering feedback. Toyota claim big improvements have been made in the level of noise entering the cabin. Inside a 4.2-inch touchscreen is standard on higher grade models and overall material quality and finish is crafted to a higher standard. Lane departure warning will make its debut.
International markets will get some interesting engine options including a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a brawny 1.6-litre turbo diesel. The 85kW 1.2-litre provides similar performance to the diesel with 0-100km/h in a fraction over ten seconds with C02 emissions below tax limit of 125g/km. South Africa will certainly get the 1.4-litre turbo diesel and the hybrid model.
Read our reviews when we road test the Toyota Auris in South Africa next month.
