Thread: First drive review: Toyota Auris 1.6 Icon

Pleasing exterior styling, sharper handling, a fine ride and low running costs rekindle the Auriss appeal, but its dash is a dampenerIts a sharper-looking second-generation Auris, with proportions and weight distribution reconfigured to provide the more engaging drive demanded by enlightened Toyota boss Akio Toyoda. So while both platform and wheelbase are carry-over, a lower roofline and reduced ride height have yielded a roll-reducing centre of gravity affording more supple suspension. Those worrying about heads striking headlinings neednt fret, either. The height reduction has been in part prompted by the outgoing Auriss taller-than-average proportioning, and Toyota is compensating with a roof that billows above each seat row. A reduced frontal area is a useful aerodynamic gain, with the Auriss drag coefficient falling to 0. 28, while its weight drops by an average of 50kg across the range. Improved fuel efficiency, handling and ride are the aims, while criticism of the old cars striking but ergonomically troubled flying-buttress centre console has provoked a major rethink of the dashboards architecture and finish. Of which more shortly. The front suspension uses the same MacPherson strut layout as before but with tweaks, while the sophisticated double wishbone rear suspension, previously reserved for the most potent diesel, has now been bestowed on this 128bhp 1. 6, the most sophisticated feature of which is its variable lift and duration valve timing. Its hooked to a six-speeder, and youll be using it to chase a high-altitude, 4400rpm torque peak.