Hybrid power: Toyota's Auris hatchback goes native in the bid to go green

SO it’s the big, gas guzzling Chelsea tractors that are the most anti-social vehicles on our roads and the seen-to-be-green hybrids that have a halo hovering over their every journey?

Well, just tell that to the old dear on Wath High Street who almost had a heart attack when she began to cross the road before realising that my Toyota Auris test carmoving in silent EV (electric vehicle) modewas hurtling towards her.

The look of surprise, followed by anger and disapproval would, I suspect, not have abated even if I had had the bottle to stop for a moment and explain to her that I was actually driving well within the speed limit in one of the world’s most eco-friendly cars.

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All she knew was that the silent arrival of the hybrid hatchback had taken her by surprise...and she was seeing red rather than green.

The Auris Hybrid is one of the more subtle hybrids out there.

It sees Toyota’s range join Lexus and Porsche in offering a fusion of electric and traditional internal combustion power in a vehicle which can also be bought without electric intervention.

Only a few aerodynamic tweaks distinguish the hybrid from conventionally powered Auris.

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With a starting price of £19,139, however, its added technology, which includes lithium ion batteries and an electric motor which can double as a makeshift battery charger, does come at a price.

That's around £1,000 more than a Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion which uses diesel power to achieve near identical results, i.e. road tax-dodging CO2 emissions and 70mpg-plus.

The range-topping Auris Hybrid T Spirit tested here comes in at £20,881 standard, £22,691 if specced with pearlescent white paint (£610) and Sat Nav (£1,200).

Doing their best to reflect the Volkswagen Golf/BMW 1-Series rivalling asking price, the Auris benefits from soft-touch surfaces and a broad, silver-flanked centre console topped by the tiny blue gear selector and a neatly integrated touch screen sat nav system which also incorporates a rear view camera to aid reversing.

Impressive finish and refinement...and it’s British built

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Climate control, a stylish, slightly oval leather steering wheel and leather/Alcantara seats further the sense of quality, which puts it not far behind the sectors standard setters.

Toyota claims that the Auris Hybrid offers similar performance to a two-litre petrol engine with the economy of a small diesel and its hard to argue.

Built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, the hybrid uses a 1.8-litre VVTi petrol engine and electric motor to create maximum power outputs of 134bhp and 153lb.ft. of torque from very low revs.

An 11.4 second sprint to 62mph and 112mph top speed should be on the cards if you ditch the eco-friendly pretence.

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Three drive modes are offered via buttons on the centre console. EV can serve up emissions-free, all-electric motoring for up to 1.2 miles at speeds of up to 30 mph.

Normal constantly switches from petrol to electric power to offer the most economical blend.

Power mode sharpens throttle responses by around 25 per cent, boosting power to improve acceleration.

Swift, but lacking dynamic inipiration

It is surprising just how swiftly the Auris Hybrid will leap off the line thanks to its instantaneous electric power delivery and it will make impressive progress.

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Even the inclusion of a constantly variable transmission, which relies on constant and droning high revs to create meaningful urge, is kept to a minimum thanks to impressive sound deadening which makes the Auris Hybrid one of the most refined hatchbacks I've ever driven.

The Auris driving position is comfortable despite seats which offer little lateral support.

My only real gripe with the driving experience was a sense of weight, of unrelenting momentum, which makes it seem unwilling to change direction with any real conviction.

Its determination to understeer, the front tyres pushing wide, leaves you with no choice but to scrub off pace well in advance of tighter corners.

A relatively small boot is another drawback.

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Part of the area immediately behind the rear seats is gobbled up by the batteries, leaving a shallow 245-litre space.

Passenger room remains unaffected with impressive space, as in the standard Auris hatchback.

Fuel economy remains something of a let down.

At the crux of the issues surrounding any hybrid vehicle is its day-to-day fuel economy and I have yet to come across a petrol/electric powered car that doesn’t require an honours degree in eco driving to get near its claimed miles per gallon figure.

The Auris is no exception.

During the course of my test I managed to average 56mpg.

Although I did smoke a BMW 525d away from the traffic lights on one occasion, using the electric motors impressive low down urge, I did try my best to be gentle with my right foot for the most part...to no avail.

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As impressive as the Auriss build quality, comfort and 93g/km CO2 figure is, it still fails to put clear air between itself and a frugal diesel where it really mattersat the forecourts.

Sadly, it’s another impressive hybrid from Toyota that leaves me with more than a whiff of disappointment.