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Does Toyota's new 1.2 Turbo petrol engine inject some more athleticism into the Auris Touring Sports, ponders Al Suttie?
1 - It's a strange anomaly that car makers feel the need to add the word 'Sports' to estate models. Does it make them better to drive? No.
2 - So, the Auris Touring Sports, or estate as I think of it. It's decent to look at and the boot offers a fine 507- and 1635 litres.
3 - Inside, a new touch-sensitive infotainment screen works fine, but can we have back the simple rotary controls for the volume please?
4 - The rest of the Auris' cabin is functional, if a little dour, but it's comfortable, spacious and well fixed together.
5 - Now, on to the racier part: a turbocharged 1.2-litre engine. It's new for the Auris range and has 116hp.
6 - That's more poke than the base Focus 1.0T Ecoboost, but the Ford is easier on fuel and emissions.
7 - However, where you often feel you have to flog the Ford to get something approaching decent performance, the Toyota is much better.
8 - For a 1.2, it builds impressively from low revs and keeps on pulling willingly, if a tad noisily at higher revs.
9 - The six-speed manual 'box enjoys a hassle-free shift and works fine whether you're in town, on motorway or back roads.
10 - Does the new 1.2 justify the 'Sports' tag? No, but it's a decent alternative to the Focus 1.0T if you can see past the higher emissions.
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