Toyota has launched the latest generation Auris Van to the Irish market this week. The new model has gone on sale from €18,495 and will look to take on similar offerings from the likes of Opel and Renault.
Exterior
The Toyota Auris Van bears no obvious differences from the standard hatchback, apart from the rear windows bearing a very heavy tint. This means that, whilst many C-segment vans have to make do with just a hatch-opening for access, the Auris Van still has its rear doors. That should make loading a lot easier. In addition Toyota has fitted LED daytime running lights and follow-me-home headlights round the front, and the 15-inch wheels fitted to each corner mean that replacing tyres won't break the bank. Nine metallic paint finishes are also available from launch.
Interior
Up front, the interior is taken straight from the latest Auris; marking a significant improvement over the outgoing Auris Van. There's blue lighting throughout that illuminates the climate control, stereo with aux-in and USB connectivity, multifunctional steering wheel and electric windows. Opening the rear doors is a strange affair, as the Auris' seats have been replaced by air - helping to increase the load bay by 12 per cent over the standard hatchback.
Mechanicals
As this is a commercial vehicle, good fuel economy ranks high in the list of "must haves". The 1.4-litre D-4D engine looks to fulfil this requirement as fuel consumption has been cut by 12 per cent over the previous generation, bringing economy up to 67mpg on the combined cycle. Emissions now sit at 110g/km, an improvement of 14 per cent. To make this efficiency possible Toyota has fitted a six-speed manual gearbox and a stop-start system as standard. Toyota also states that driving dynamics are improved, thanks to new steering and suspension systems.
Anything else?
The Auris has also made news in the Euro NCAP results this week, as the family car scored a maximum five-star safety rating alongside the Toyota RAV4.