As a concept, it has a certain zen-like symmetry, as Toyota approaches the same car - the Auris hatch - and the same objective (feel-good motoring) from two very different viewpoints.
The first is the Auris HSD, released this week in South Africa at a media drive in Cape Town. It's the first mainstream hybrid in Toyota's line-up and the first in the C segment in South Africa.
And the yang? That's the Auris TRD, stepping up the pace with a supercharger and appropriate go-fast accessories.
Toyota marketing maven Kerry Roodt said: “The two new Auris' show the direction Toyota is taking to deliver performance where it matters.
“Hybrid drive is the core technology for all future Toyota models - the Auris HSD just happens to be the first mainstream model to use it.
“The Auris TRD, on the other hand, signals the return of the driver's car; it's the start of a performance evolution in the Toyota range.”
First, the hybrid: it combines a 1798cc Atkinson-cycle petrol engine rated at 73kW at 5200 revs and 142Nm at 4000rpm with a 60kW electric motor that's good for 207Nm at zero revs - which is where most electric motors produce their highest torque.
During deceleration and under braking, the electric motor works as a generator to recover kinetic energy that would usually be lost as heat as electrical energy for storage in the nickel-metal hydride battery under the floor of the boot, so the battery never needs to be charged from an external source.
The Auris Hybrid has four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco and Power. From start-up and at speeds of less than 50km/h in Normal, the car automatically goers into EV mode to run on the electric motor alone (if the battery's up to it - see above!); the petrol engine cuts in when needed.
Eco mode flattens throttle response and optimises aircon output to support fuel economy, while Power mode sharpens throttle response by 25 percent and uses both petrol and electric power for best results.
Toyota quotes 0-100 in 11.4sec and a top speed of 180km/h; it also claims average fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100km, but launch correspondent Denis Droppa didn't get anywhere near that figure on the media drive in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“My best efforts at feather-footing it achieved 5.2 litres per 100km,” he said.
“As long as speed's kept below 50km/h the HSD Auris should be able to cruise several kilometres on electric power alone on a full battery, but the car I drove never managed more than 200 metres of EV mode in a single go - which led to the Toyota people suggesting there may have been something amiss with our particular unit,” he added.
“As for its general driveability the hybrid Auris delivers adequate commuting pace in that comfortable middle ground between real laziness and real velocity. With its continuously variable transmission the car drones away in a smooth and stepless fashion, delivering an all-round relaxed ride.”
DISTINCTIVE STYLING
The Auris HSD's front bumper and spoiler have been revised and the lower grille enlarged to reduce airflow resistance and improve engine cooling, says Toyota, with a new foglight set-up incorporating LED running lights, and flat, vertical front corners that redirect the airflow as it passes over the front wheels, minimising turbulence in the wheel-arches.
Ride height has been lowered by 5mm and the front and rear dampers retuned to compensate for the extra weight of the battery pack right at the back of the car.
The cabin of the XS model is trimmed in a special dark grey fabric; the XR comes with mixed leather and alcantara upholstery.
The rev-counter of the conventional Auris is replaced by a multi-information display in that monitors energy flow, showing how much power is being used or generated at any time, and there's a blue push-button start at the side of the instrument cluster. The centre console incorporates a switch for the electric parking brake, switches to select the EV, Eco and Power drive modes, and a blue and silver transmission lever.
The Auris hybrid comes in a choice of two trim levels - XS and XR.
The XS version has auto aircon, six-speaker audio with CD, radio and MP3 file player, USB, Bluetooth and Aux-in connection with steering wheel controls, power windows and mirrors, front and rear fog lights, LED running lights, seven airbags including driver's knee airbag, vehicle stability control and 15” alloys.
The XR version adds leather and alcantara upholstery, cruise control, auto headlights and wipers, keyless entry and start, electrochromatic rear view mirror with reverse camera, and 17” alloys shod with 215/45R17 low rolling resistance tyres.
PRICES
Auris XS HSD - R267 200
Auris XR HSD - R289 800
The Auris HSD comes with a three-year or 100 000km warranty (eight years or 195 000km for the major hybrid components) and a five-year or 90 000km service plan. Service intervals are 15 000km.
TOYOTA AURIS TRD
TRD, of course stands for Toyota Racing Development; only two previous SA-market models have worn this prestigious performance badge: the 1983 rear-wheel drive Corolla 1.8 and the 2006 RunX RSi.
This new South African TRD derivative is based on the 1.6-litre Auris Sport X hatch, and only 200 will be made.
A traction-drive supercharger boost power 38 percent from 97kW to a claimed 132kW at 6400rpm and torque by 27 percent from 160Nm to a claimed 203Nm at 5200rpm.
Toyota quotes 0-100 in about nine seconds and a (governed) max velocity of 220km/h, at an average of 7.5 litres per 100km.
Droppa reports: “The supercharged Auris didn't feel fiendishly fast when I drove it at the media launch in Cape Town, and true boy racers will be seeking more venom underfoot, but it did have decent tractability.
“At sea level there's not much lag and the car feels quite responsive from low down, with the revs climbing fast and smooth. It's more about easy driveability than tar-rippling pace.
“The power boost is accompanied by lower and firmer suspension which made the Auris TRD neatly hug the curves of the Cape's twisty coastal roads but also made it bounce around a little on the bumps.”
The suspension has in fact been lowered by a significant 35mm, thanks to a TRD suspension kit comprising uprated shock absorbers and springs, and a bracing strut between the front suspension towers.
Warranty, service plan and service intervals are as per the hybrid models, but pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Unofficially, expect to pay around R285 000.