Toyota announces hybrid Corolla for Euro market

Toyota's European arm has announced plans to manufacture a full hybrid version of its Auris -- that's the European name for the Corolla hatch. Production will commence at the company's UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire in mid-2010, using engines from its plant in Wales.

European CEO Tadashi Arashima described the announcement as "a significant step" in making full hybrids more accessible to more consumers. "Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads," he said in a statement.

Since its European release in 2007, the Auris has sold over 370,000 units. Its 1.3-litre VVT-i four already has automatic stop-start, keeping CO2 to 135g/km and combined cycle fuel economy to 5.8L/100km.

Locally, Toyota is coy on the question of whether the hybrid Auris/Corolla was one of the eight mystery vehicles about which the company dropped hints at its recent launch of the next-generation Prius (more here).

And asked about the likelihood of a British-made hybrid Corolla appearing in Australia, spokesman Mike Breen offered neither confirmation nor denial. "It's a bit early to confirm anything yet, beyond the fact that we have no plans for a hybrid Corolla in Australia at this point," he said.

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