UK production of the Toyota Auris Hybrid will start at the manufacturer’s UK plant at Burnaston this month, the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to be built in Europe.

The company says that in investing in Toyota Manufacturing (UK) to build the new full C-segment hybrid hatchback, it has signalled its confidence in its UK operations – the engine factory at Deeside in North Wales as well as the car plant at Burnaston in Derbyshire – and in British manufacturing.

Tony Walker, TMUK deputy managing director, said: ‘Auris Hybrid provides a great opportunity for Toyota to increase sales and for TMUK to increase production. Being the first to manufacture this new technology is a source of immense motivation for everyone here at TMUK.’

Although Auris Hybrid is a development of the conventional five-door model already produced at Burnaston, its introduction has required extensive training, new ways of working, new parts, alterations to the production lines major changes to testing procedures.

Not the least of the challenges was the fact that although it is built on the same production line as petrol and diesel Auris models, the hybrid takes 11 minutes longer to complete, calling for clever integration of new equipment and specialist team members to ensure no bottlenecks occur.

The new Toyota Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) will go on sale in the UK and across Europe on July 1. Two versions will be available delivering 89 g/km emissions and 74.3 mpg on the combined cycle fuel economy and 93 g/km emissions and 70.6 mpg on the combined cycle fuel economy

The Auris Hybrid is powered by a 1.8 litre VVT-i petrol engine developing 97 bhp at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, which is mated to an electric motor generating a maximum 207 Nm between zero and 13,000 rpm.

In combination, the petrol engine and electric motor generate a maximum system power output of 134 bhp, giving performance to match a conventional 2.0 litre petrol or diesel hatchback. Model pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.