2010 Toyota Auris Facelift gets Subtle Makeover and New Hybrid Version with Prius Drivetrain

When Toyota introduced the successor to the hatchback versions of the Corolla (the sedan variant kept the name) in Europe in 2006, the company's bosses decided to baptize the new car "Auris", not only due to its supposedly fresh and contemporary styling, but also because the name "Corolla" had become more synonymous with dull than with quality in the Old Continent.

Fast forward to 2010, and the Auris has yet to shake off its predecessor's bland-mobile reputation...

And while the subtle cosmetic makeover for the 2010 model year won't make the standard Auris any more interesting than before, the addition of a full hybrid version to the range is something that could very well capture the interest of European buyers.

Toyota's Spartan press release did not get into any details whatsoever, but the two official photos reveal that the 2010 Auris hatchback benefits from the same cosmetic changes as the JDM model that was introduced last October and almost the same styling upgrades as the Auris HSD Hybrid study that was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Show.

On the outside, the 2010 model year Auris features a revised grille, reshaped front and rear bumpers, new headlamps, tail lights and alloy wheels plus a different bonnet design and new exterior mirrors with integrated turning signals.

We assume that the production Auris HSD (which stands for Hybrid Synergy Drive) will keep if not all, most of the exterior styling cues and aerodynamic tweaks such as the underbody panels of the concept study.

The Auris HSD's petrol-electric hyrbid drivetrain will be largely shared with the Prius meaning that the five-door hatchback can run on battery power alone in zero-emissions mode.

Full details and photos of both the standard and hybrid versions of the Auris are expected to be released closer to their official debut at the Geneva Salon in early March.


2010 TOYOTA AURIS FACELIFT

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TOYOTA AURIS HSD HYBRID CONCEPT STUDY

Aston Martin Cygnet: First Official Photos of Toyota iQ-Based Mini, Goes on Sale in 2010

As strange as it may sound, this is Aston Martin's new premium mini car, the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. The British supercar maker had previewed the Cygnet earlier this year with a clay-covered prototype, but these are the first official photos of the production-ready concept model.

The Cygnet looks like the iQ because that's what it is; a retrimmed Toyota. Aston Martin's designers essentially took numerous design cues from their sports cars like the trademark grille and air-vents and applied them on the small Toyota without making any other changes on the car's shape.

Unique styling features on the outside are limited to the pop-up handles, reshaped front and rear bumpers, specific head and tail lamps, and newly designed multispoke alloy wheels.

The same goes for the Cygnet's cabin which has been adorned with premium materials and different trim, but other than that, it retains the iQ's basic architecture and design.

Aston Martin chose not to release any information on the car's hardware, but it is believed that the iQ's 1.33-liter petrol engine will be carried over to the Cygnet.

The firm's plan is to initially sell the Cygnet to current and future Aston Martin owners with a general release to follow at a later date.

Aston Martin said that it will continue to develop the Cygnet, but expects to have the car into production and on sale in the UK and Europe before the end of 2010.

Even though the Cygnet is nothing more than a more premium Toyota with DB9 styling cues, the mini will get an Aston Martin price tag, estimated to be somewhere around £20,000 or about $32,000 - €22,000 at today's exchange rates.


Aston Martin Cygnet


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Toyota iQ

Toyota and Lexus to Display 45 Production and Concept Cars at Auto Guangzhou 2009

The 'Auto Guangzhou 2009' motor show in China that runs from November 23 to 30 will see Toyota and Lexus exhibiting 45 concept and production vehicles including the world premiere of the new Lexus GX460 SUV that we told you about during the weekend.

Also on display will be the Chinese market Lexus ES240 powered by a 165HP 4-cylinder engine, the new Toyota Crown, which will be produced domestically with sales staring in China in December this year, the third-generation Prius and the Camry Hybrid.

Furthermore, the Japanese automaker will display several concept vehicles that we've already seen in other shows such as the compact commuter FT-EV, the FT-HS hybrid sports car and urban plug-in hybrid vehicle Hi-CT.

Tokyo '09: Redesigned Toyota Mark-X RWD Sports Sedan

Tokyo '09: Redesigned Toyota Mark-X RWD Sports Sedan

http://cars-mania9500.blogspot.com/The 41st Tokyo Motor Show saw Toyota and its affiliate Lexus revealing many new cars including the redesigned 2010 Toyota Mark-X, a sporty rear-wheel drive sedan based on the Lexus GS architecture that will only be available in Japan and in some Asian countries. For the 2010 model year, Toyota's affordable alternative to the BMW 5-Series has received a cosmetic makeover, mainly up front and the rear along with a refreshed interior boasting a restyled dashboard.

The new four-door saloon is available in Japan with two V6 gasoline engines matched to a standard six-speed automatic transmission; a 203HP 2.5-liter unit sourced from the Lexus IS250 and a 3.5-liter unit with 318 horsepower from the Lexus GS350.

All Photos Shot by our Tokyo Motor Show man Phil Alex