Coming soon, one of the most important new cars of the year. Toyota is unveiling its Derbyshire-built Auris later this week at the Paris Motor Show ahead of a launch in the UK in December.

It’s an important car for Toyota. Auris is the modern name for the Corolla, one of the world’s most successful ever models and still a mainstay of the Toyota family.

Auris is important in private and fleet markets and it goes head to head with a host of big-sellers from Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault and the rest. Costing from £14,495, the new model is a cost-effective option and it also comes with a host of interesting features designed to help the model stand out from the competition. They include a park assist system and a hybrid which promises to break new ground.

All powertrain options will be available from the start: 1.33 Dual VVT-i and 1.6 petrol and 1.4 D-4D diesel units, plus Auris Hybrid. The petrol and diesel all use a six-speed manual transmission, with Toyota’s stepless automatic an option on the 1.6 Valvematic.

Auris will introduce a new grade structure, which rises from an entry-level Active trim, through Icon and Sport to the top-of-the range Excel. The 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine will be available in Active and Icon grades; the 1.6 Valvematic in Icon, Sport and Excel; and the 1.4 D-4D in all trims. Auris Hybrid will be offered in Icon and Excel versions. All will be equipped as standard with seven airbags, a new follow-me-home lighting system, hill-start assist control, vehicle stability control and LED daytime running lights.

The new park assist system is interesting. Not only will it steer the car neatly into a space, it will also help manoeuvre it out again.

Suitable for kerbside parking, it is designed to be quick, safe, simple and intuitive, and comes with front and rear parking sensors, too. Activated using a button on the console, it uses ultrasonic technology to determine whether a space is large enough for the car. Once the measurement is complete, the driver is invited to stop. The system will then govern the reverse steering into the space, with the driver controlling the accelerator and brake. For safety, the system also indicates when the driver should brake.

The system is more sophisticated than any previously featured on a Toyota, being able to cope with non-standard parking situations, including bends. It will also take account of objects on the opposite side of the road that might affect manoeuvres such as parked cars or obstacles. The system’s park-me-out function will help the driver exit a tight parking space by judging the clearance.

The Toyota Touch multimedia system on Icon, Sport and Excel models can be upgraded to Toyota Touch & Go, introducing satellite navigation and more sophisticated on-board connectivity and Bluetooth functions. A Skyview panoramic roof, measuring 2,340 by 1,280mm, available for Excel models, brings more light into the cabin.

A comfort pack is available for Sport grade, which bundles rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, ‘smart entry and start and’ and folding door mirrors.