Toyota Auris news - Hy’ powered Auris - 2009

Toyota, the company that gave hybrids to the masses with the Prius, is expanding its petrol-electric range. From the middle of next year it will build a hybrid version of the Auris, right here in the UK.
 
That's good news for people with leather sandals, and even better news for the 4,100 workers at Toyota's Burnaston factory in Derbyshire. The plant has churned out more than 2.5 million cars since it opened in 1992 and is the place where the current Avensis is put together.
 
The Auris hybrid will share the Prius' 1.8-litre petrol engine and 80bhp electric motor. But because it's smaller and a bit lighter, it might squeeze some slightly better economy figures than its bigger brother. So expect better than 72.4mpg and 89g/km C02.
 
It's been a pleasantly green week for Toyota - just a few days ago, it shipped a load of cars to the US aboard a solar-powered ship, the first of its kind. Rumour has it that the life rafts were powered purely by cosmic gypsy juice. Possibly.