It is not a surprise for anyone that all the automakers are marching on (like sheep I might add) with the same objective: to have more fuel efficient cars. It does not matter if building a hybrid model is doing more damage to the environment than running a big old American SUV. It is important that this is the global trend. You are not cool if you do not pretend to be concerned by the problems of the environment.

I would not blame the automakers, as they are just speculating the needs and demands of the market, no matter how stupid the demands of the market are.

After its huge success with the Toyota Prius, the Japanese automaker will be starting to sell another hybrid model in about a month and a half. We are talking about the Toyota Auris Hybrid, a car that will be built in the United Kingdom. The new Toyota Auris Hybrid will be available starting from July.

With a basic price of 21806 Euros for the new Toyota Auris Hybrid T4, it can go up to 23820 Euros for the Toyota Auris Hybrid T Spirit model. If we are to compare the Toyota Auris Hybrid to other ``eco-friendly`` models, we would notice that the Toyota Prius model has a base price ranging from 22455 Euros to 26018 Euros, which puts its dangerously close to the more popular hybrid in their range. But if we are to compare it to the Honda Insight, then the new Toyota Auris Hybrid is quite pricey. Thus, if you compare the 21806 Euros, which is minimum you need to pay to have a Toyota Auris Hybrid, to the 18682 Euros you need to pay to get a Honda Insight, then the new Toyota Auris Hybrid does not look too appealing at all.

If you are still interested in this model, then you should find out that when equipped with 17 inch wheels, the Toyota Auris Hybrid return an average fuel economy of 70.6 mpg UK or 58.8 mpg US or a fuel consumption of 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers and emissions of 93 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide. If you decide to equip the Toyota Auris Hybrid with 15 inch wheels, then the fuel economy is even greater. More precisely, 74.3 mpg UK or 61.8 mpg US or a fuel consumption of 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

Using the same drivetrain as the one found in the Toyota Prius, the new Toyota Auris Hybrid manages to reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h or 112 mph while going from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds. This is possible thanks to a 1.8 liter petrol engine capable of developing 134 horsepower.