For Toyota the Frankfurt motor show is a major event as it has got several special things to present.
First of all there is the new HiLux pickup to show off, then comes the latest Prius, still by far the world’s biggest-selling hybrid. The new car will arrive in Irish showrooms in January. Toyota will also introduce the RAV4 hybrid and a mild update for the Yaris.
Alongside these will be another chance to muse on Toyota’s plans for a Qashqai rival. Probably called Auris Cross, the new car will be based on Toyota’s modular model platform, will feature BMW-sourced diesel power, hybrid and petrol drivetrains and could well keep the very avant-garde looks of the C-HR concept car that was shown in Geneva this year. Expect a final production version to be unveiled in Geneva next year.
Toyota boss Akio Toyoda has for years now been exhorting his stylists to create bolder-looking cars and the Auris Cross could well be a major line in the sand for Toyota’s design department. It could also be the car that pushes Toyota into the sort of sales success in Europe that it has long had in Ireland.
