Toyota Auris Hybrid in the UK

Toyota are to produce a Hybrid version of the Auris Toyota are planning on building – in the UK – a Hybrid version of the Toyota Auris. This will feature the same Hybrid platform as the Prius, which will give it a 98bhp petrol engine together with an 80bhp electric motor. But because the Auris is smaller than the Prius, and less well equipped, the new Toyota Auris Hybrid will come in at a lower price, which will pitch it below the Honda Insight – a key marketing advantage.

Nissan 370Z prices announced

Nissan 370Z prices announced By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 27 January 2009 12:21 Nissan has announced prices for UK-spec 370 Z sports cars, and punters will be pleased to learn that the entry-level Zed will cost £26,895 – a mere £166 more than the 350Z. All cars of course come with a rear-wheel drive chassis and 328bhp 3.7-litre V6, but base-model 370Zs also have climate-control, electric seats, 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon lights, plus aux-in and Bluetooth connections. For an extra £3300 you can get the GT pack, which replaces your measly 18-inch alloys with 19in forged Rays items, gives you electric heated leather seats, upgrades your stereo and adds the Synchro Rev Control, which automatically blips the throttle on downshifts.

Toyota FT-86 Concept – say ‘hachi roku’

The Toyota FT-86 Concept will preview at Tokyo The FT-86 (hachi roku is Japanese for 86) is a small (13′ 8″ long) rear-wheel drive sports coupe which is going to turn up not just as a Toyota but also as a Subaru. It uses the 2.0 Boxer engine found in the Impreza, but by the time it finds its way to market in 2011 – as both a Toyota and a Subaru – it’s likely to get the next generation Boxer lump. The FT-86 is Toyota’s way of launching itself back in to the sports market – a market it once did well in with cars like the MR2 – and gain some credibility, and custom, from younger drivers.