Brief test: Toyota Auris HSD 1.8 THS Sol
Either way, Toyota deserves credit for deciding to go into Europe with a hybrid powertrain that, after all, hasn't proven itself yet. The Prius has received a lot of praise, but the sales figures are not so convincing yet.
Of course, they cannot make a living from the accolades and names of various car brands. The most important thing is sales, and it has to do with simple things, whether customers accept the car and whether they buy it in large enough quantities.
It's the same with the Auris. At a launch a few years ago, when the European Toyota replaced the world-wide successful Corolla, the Auris did not prove itself to buyers. The demand for Toyota Europe was definitely lower than expected. This is one of the reasons why updating the Auris offering with new drive technology would be welcome.
The Auris HSD is actually a combination of the already famous exterior and interior of the previous model, and a combination of drive motors from the Toyota Prius hybrid. This means that the buyer can get an even shorter hybrid vehicle with the Auris, in fact the smallest production five-seat hybrid to date.
From the Prius, we're used to some of the features of Toyota's hybrid powertrain. Less gratifying is that he now has an Auris. slightly reduced trunk. But this is compensated by the rear seat, which can be turned over and the trunk can be increased, of course at the expense of fewer passengers.
There are also many pluses. If you impartially sit behind the wheel of an Auris, then for sure we love the ease of operation and driving. This is primarily due to the automatic transmission. It is a planetary gear that performs all important drive functions - transferring power from a gasoline or electric motor to the front wheels, or transferring kinetic energy from the front wheels to the generator when the car is stopped or when braking.
The planetary gearbox acts like a continuously variable transmission, which is normal when the Auris is driven by an electric motor only (when starting off or a maximum of a kilometer in optimal conditions and only up to 40 km / h). However, as is the case with the Prius, we have to get used to the unusual sound of a gasoline engine, as it usually runs at a constant rpm, which is optimal in terms of fuel consumption.
That's all about driving theory.
In practice, driving the Auris is not much different from the Prius. Means yes with a hybrid, you can use little fuel, but only if we are driving through the city or leisurely somewhere on open roads. Any acceleration of more than 100 km / h and subsequent driving on the motorway has a significant effect on fuel consumption.
In practice, the difference can be three liters (five to eight), and the average in our test of 5,9 liters per 100 kilometers is mainly due to the large number of trips outside the cities or on the Ljubljana ring road. And one more thing: you cannot drive more than 180 kilometers per hour with the Auris HSD, because it has an electronic lock.
If we pressed on the gas more sparingly, we could have achieved with the help of the Auris. even below five liters on average. This is possible in a city with more stops and starts (where the electric motor saves money) than on the roads, where a short full-throttle trip with short accelerations is also required.
It must be admitted, however, that the Auris is quite reliable in corners, and also comfortable enough to be compared to its petrol rivals in all other respects.
Of course, we cannot ignore the usual observations of the Auris: both front seat passengers have a hard time putting anything in too small or unsuitable space for small items (especially the one under the center arch, which has the automatic transmission). transmission lever installed). Both closed boxes in front of the passenger deserve the greatest praise, but they are difficult for the driver to reach.
It is surprising and cheap impression of the shelf above the trunk, because it almost always happens that after we open the tailgate, the lid no longer falls on its bed. In fact, such cheapness is not worthy of this brand ...
To praise however, I need the camera screen to be comfortable to use in the rearview mirror. The resolution is much better than we're used to with screens in the center of the dashboard, sometimes too much light directed into the rearview mirror can be a little tempting.
The Auris HSD is sure to appeal to those looking to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions, but don't want to buy nearly the same fuel-efficient diesel versions.
Tomaž Porekar, photo: Aleš Pavletič
Toyota Auris HSD 1.8 THS Left
Basic data
| Sales: | Toyota Adria Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 24.090 € |
| Test model cost: | 24.510 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 73kW (99 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 11,4 with |
| Maximum speed: | 180 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 3,8l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - displacement 1.798 cm3 - maximum power 73 kW (99 hp) at 5.200 rpm - maximum torque 142 Nm at 4.000 rpm. Electric motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor - maximum voltage 650 V - maximum power 60 kW - maximum torque 207 Nm. Battery: Nickel-metal hydride - nominal voltage 202 V. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - continuously variable automatic transmission - tires 215/45 R 17 V (Michelin Energy Saver). |
| Capacity: | top speed 180 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 11,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 3,8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 89 g/km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.455 kg - permissible gross weight 1.805 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.245 mm - width 1.760 mm - height 1.515 mm - wheelbase 2.600 mm - fuel tank 45 l. |
| Box: | 279 |
Our measurements
| T = 5 ° C / p = 1.080 mbar / rel. vl. = 35% / odometer status: 3.127 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 11,5s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 17,0 years ( 125 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 169km / h (Shift lever in position D.) |
| test consumption: | 5,9 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 40,1m |
| AM table: | 40m |
evaluation
Auris HSD is the smallest hybrid. Anyone who is partial to such cars will be happy to use it. As far as economy goes, you can find it with another, less complicated and more expensive hybrid drive.
We praise and reproach
steering feel and handling
ease of driving and operation
very economical consumption under certain conditions
not enough space for small items for the driver and front passenger
cheapness of materials used in the interior
feeling when braking that it is a much heavier car
