Friday 3rd August 2007

Grandad's Toyota Goes Steroidal

Yes it’s an Auris...but this one is powered by a 3.5 litre V6

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Here’s one Auris that can’t be called boring. This

Deceitful looks: this Auris packs 276bhp

is the Toyota Blade Master G - does the G stand for grandad? On sale in Japan, it is designed to take on Volkswagen’s Golf R32. It may look only slightly different to the dull-but-faithful Auris we know and our grandparents love, but if you look under the bonnet, that dutiful 1.4 litre D-4D unit has been replaced with a 3.5 litre V6 petrol.

It’s essentially a de-tuned version of the 3456cc unit from the Lexus IS350, producing 276bhp and 254lb ft. The Master G retains the standard car’s front-wheel drivetrain layout but it receives a six-speed sequential auto gearbox and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Cosmetic changes are slight - look closely and you’ll spot a deeper front grille and 17in alloys.

Most powerful Auris gets six-speed sequential auto 'box

Toyota says there aren’t any plans to bring the Master G to the UK, but with an equivalent retail price in Japan of just £13,650, this Q car could prove a very attractive grey-import proposition.

[Hendry]

They'll change the name of course...

I am looking forward to the Toyota Yaris Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five-pot.