Toyota plans to unveil a production version of the Toyota Auris HSD at the Geneva Motor Show. The new four-door is a follow-up to the concept model shown off at the Frankfurt Show last September.
Look for HSD, or Hybrid Synergy Drive, to potentially become a new sub-brand for Toyota. The Auris represents the first step in the automaker’s plan to offer a hybrid version of each of their models “by the early 2020s,” according to a press release.
The Auris HSD will be built in Burnaston, England. The car will go on sale in Europe by summer.
Appearing next to the hybrid is a new facelifted version of the Toyota RAV4. The SUV has a new hood with more aggressive styling as part of a less-bulky front. Headlights look less conventional, and foglights are now integrated into the new bumper. The new chrome grille is a nice touch. Toyota did not provide photos of the 2010 RAV4′s interior, but the company says it is “more refined.”
At Geneva, Toyota will also unveil the Prius Plug-in for the first time in Europe. Hopefully, the car’s brakes will be in good shape. The show will also feature Euro debuts of the FT-EV concept, and the FT-86 concept.
Press Release (Click to expand)
TOYOTA AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
KEY POINTS
World premiere of production-ready Auris HSD
European premiere of Prius Plug-in Hybrid and FT-EV electric vehicle concept
First European showing of Toyota FT-86 sports concept
Unveiling of 2010 RAV4
Hybrid Technology Development and Enhanced Product Appeal are the leading themes for Toyota’s presentation at the Geneva motor show, represented by a range of concept and production models that will be making their first appearance in Europe.
The occasion will mark the world-first appearance of the showroom-ready Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive), a model which marks a major milestone in Toyota’s programme to introduce its full hybrid powertrain technology across its entire model range by the early 2020s.
Built in Britain at Toyota’s Burnaston factory, Auris HSD appears at Geneva ahead of going on sale across Europe in the summer. It forms a key part of the new Auris 2010 model line-up, offering advanced clean engine technology at the heart of the C-segment.
Toyota’s lead in the drive towards sustainable mobility is further represented in the European premiere of both the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the all-electric FT-EV II concept. Toyota’s next-generation fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the FCHV-adv, will also be on display, demonstrating one of the many potential future applications of Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The Toyota FT-86 sports concept will also be making its first European appearance, a vision for a driver-focused, highly aerodynamic rear-wheel drive machine that draws on Toyota’s rich heritage of creating exciting sports cars. The FT-86 has been rendered as compact and lightweight as possible to maximise its agility and performance potential.
The RAV4 2010 will break cover at the show, presenting a more sophisticated front-end design and a more refined interior. Thanks to its range of Toyota Optimal Drive powertrains, RAV4 2010 will be one of the cleanest competitors in the compact SUV segment.
Toyota will host a press conference on its stand in Hall 4 on Tuesday, 2 March at 4.30pm.
