Next-gen Toyota Auris starts testing

All-new Auris expected to arrive in 2018.

The second generation Toyota Auris, also known as the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Corolla iM in some markets, was revealed in August 2012 and had its world debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Later, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Toyota unveiled the facelifted second generation Toyota Auris. Now, Toyota has started testing the next-gen Toyota Auris in Europe, spyshots published by Motor1 reveal.

The third generation Toyota Auris test mule seen in the spyshots is tailed by the fourth generation Toyota Prius. The next-gen Toyota Auris seems to have borrowed the boomerang-shaped headlamps, sleek upper grille and three-slat lower grille from the new generation Toyota Prius.

At the sides, the quarter glass seems to have been disposed off to make space for a vent glass in the rear door. At the rear, things have either remained largely unchanged, or Toyota is yet to implement the new design completely on the engineering mules.

Also See: Toyota C-HR compact SUV showcased at Goodwood FOS

The next-gen Toyota Auris will be underpinned by the NGA-C version of the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform. It should be offered with updated/new petrol and diesel engines with displacements ranging from 1.2- to 1.6-litre. The smallest engine will probably be the 8NR-FTS 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit that debuted in the current Auris and is planned to be offered in the C-HR and the current Corolla sedan. The hybrid variant should borrow the latest Prius' powertrain.

Head over to Motor1 to see the next-gen Toyota Auris spyshots.