These are the first official pictures of the 2013 Toyota Auris, due to debut at the Paris auto show at the end of September. From leaked Japanese brochures we know that it's longer, lower and lighter than its predecessor - as much as 40kg lighter, depending on the model.
Actual dimensions are 4275mm long (+30mm), 1760mm wide (unchanged) and 1460mm high (-55mm), on a 2600mm wheelbase (no change). Boot space, according to our cyberninja, is up six litres to 360 litres - or 127 in the hybrid version).
What that tells us is that the new Auris is an evolution of the previous model, rather than a radical departure, and that the Toyota UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, (which makes the current Auris and has already confirmed that it will produce the new model) will be able to build it on the same production line without too much re-tooling.
COMING TO SA EARLY IN 2013
Visitors to the Paris show can expect to see 1.3 and 1.6-litre petrol variants, a 1.4-litre diesel and a hybrid with a 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle prime mover and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
The new Auris will be released in South Africa during the first quarter of 2013. The final line-up has yet to be confirmed, but Toyota SA says the hybrid is almost a certainty, although a question mark still hangs over the diesel.