The Auris is specifically aimed at the European market but will find its way to South Africa too.
However, we expect the local introduction to only happen in 2008.
This new core model has been designed to appeal to those customers in market for a C-segment family hatchback.
The Auris will be offered at launch as a 3 or 5-door hatchback with a choice of 5 engines.
There are two petrol engines, 1.4 VVT-i and 1.6 Dual VVT-i, and three diesels, 1.4, 2.0 and 2.2 D-4D. According to Toyota these engines all meet Euro IV emissions standards.
The car was designed by Toyota's European design studio and will be positioned separately from the Corolla.
The newcomer is based on based on the Auris concept car, which was shown at the recent Paris Motor Show. The production version's styling is a close match to that of the concept model.