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Toyota Auris Cross Introduces Itself in First Spyshots, Touring Sports Cross Might Follow

Since customers are now bewitched by crossovers, there’s a funky trend in some automakers’ backyard to take normal vehicles and turn them into crossover imitations by raising their suspension and adding some plastic moldings on the sides. Toyota is hooked up too and it looks like the Auris is the next one to get the treatment.
Toyota Auris Cross spy 7 photos
Photo: Automedia
Toyota Auris Cross spyshotsToyota Auris Cross spyshotsToyota Auris Cross spyshotsToyota Auris Cross spyshotsToyota Auris Cross spyshotsToyota Auris Cross spyshots
Yes, the next one; because the first one was the Etios Cross model that is available in India and South America, if you’re not accustomed with all Toyota’s models by now.

Just two days after spotting the special carbon fiber GT 86 being tested on the Nurburgring, our spy photographers caught a disguised 2014 Toyota Auris hatch being tested somewhere around Germany, most probably at its Toyota Motorsport GmbH proving grounds.

At first sight nothing seems new, but at closer inspection a trained eye will spot that the Auris in question has a slightly higher suspension and also a narrower front lower grille, all saying that an Auris Cross might be on the way.

Characteristic wheel arch and side plastic moldings are not showing their contour under the camouflage wrapping, but since this has to be a mule, we expect them to find their way onto the production version. In the side by side photo bellow, you can also see the exhaust muffler has been mounted higher on the mule to make for a better ground clearance.

Regarding what engines will be powering the new “crossy”, we can exclude the 1.8-liter hybrid and 1.33-liter VVT-i gasoline units as they doesn’t seem to fit for occasional off-roading. What we’re left with is the 1.4-liter D-4D diesel making 90 hp and 205 Nm as well as the 1.6-liter Valvematic gasoline worth of 132 hp and 160 Nm.

Since the Auris is also offered as an estate, the Touring Sports Cross might find its way in the lineup if the off-road-ish hatch catches on to the public. Toyota said nothing about the two models, but stay close as info will surely surface soon.
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