Motor Show: Paris: Toyota Auris

Toyota is calling this the "Auris Space Concept" but that's not fooling anyone: we all know it's the replacement for the Corolla. And now, from its title, that it's going to be roomier than the car it supercedes.

The Auris - from the Latin for gold, reflected in its snazzy paint job and interior trim detailing - is, says Toyota, "designed from the inside out". Design chief Wahei Hirai explains: "The Auris space concept is tall and spacious. The high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture ensure it retains a sense of dynamism and agility, a quality we call perfect imbalance." Well, that explains a lot, Hirai-san.

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Toyota calls is design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity", but what we can deduce from all this is that this car should be a bit sportier to drive than the outgoing Corolla (which wouldn't be hard), and that it'll be more practical and versatile inside, as well. It has a bridge-type centre console with a lower open section, giving more front legroom, and high-mounted gear lever, to free up space between the seats, and large windows and a glass roof, for a light, airy cabin. The show car is finished off with 19-inch alloy wheels, large bumpers and chrome exhausts, underlining its sporting pretensions.

No confirmation as yet as to whether the production car - due February 2007, and likely to be built, at least in hatchback form, at Toyota's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire - will take this "Auris" name, but it's possible. Toyota has indicated that the Corolla name will be dropped in Europe, to emphasise just how different and all-new this car is from its predecessors, though it will be kept for the more conservative saloons in some markets. Ultimately, estate, SUV-crossover and MPV models will be built on this same platform, too.

Toyota's other important story is the Yaris TS, a hotted-up version of its supermini with a 130bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine and variable valve timing. This can do 120mph and 0-60mph in an entirely meritable 9.3 seconds, and has its suspension and steering specially tuned; it has a lowered ride height, modified springs, retuned shock absorbers and a thicker anti-roll bar, as well as a sharper steering ratio. It'll go on sale in early 2007, in both three- and five-door bodystyles.

Practical details include a fuel consumption figure of 37.7mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 178g/km. Most importantly for many buyers, though, the Yaris TS is suitably butch with its black mesh grille, dark-tinted headlamp trim, deep front bumper with integrated headlights, chromed exhaust, side skirts, roof spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels; a series of unique paint finishes will be offered. Its cabin has sports seats, alloy trim, a leather steering wheel and amber-lit instruments.

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