By Sam Hardy

19th September 2006

And not only is Auto Express able to bring you these first pictures of Toyota's replacement for the Corolla, but we can also reveal its name.

	Toyota has finally decided to axe the Corolla badge - one that has served the company's family model for 40 years

As we reported in Issue 920, Toyota has finally decided to axe the Corolla badge - one that has served the company's family model for 40 years. With the newcomer getting more mod­ern styling, bosses decided they wanted a more appropriate name.

So in Europe, the car will now be the Toyota Auris - a Latin word that means good taste. As you can see from our pictures, which were taken from a Jap­anese brochure, the Corolla name has already gone in the car's home nation, where it will be badged Netz. The front end gets the same pronounced bonnet treatment as seen on the Yaris and Avensis, plus bold headlamps.

The Auris's profile features low sills, flared wheelarches and small front quarterlight windows in the A-pillars, while a nifty boot spoiler and bright tail-lights finish off the rear. Inside, the newcomer will draw from sister brand Lexus for material quality, with buyers getting air-conditioning and Blue­tooth mobile phone connectivity as stan­dard. There will also be more space, thanks to a longer wheelbase.

A development of the current engine line-up is expected, with 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol units, plus the efficient 2.2 D-4D diesel. Three and five-door models will hit dealers here early next year, and prices will be similar to the Corolla's, starting from around £14,000.

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