TOYOTA is not exactly a company that lets grass grow under its feet, constantly moving the goalposts to remain successful and competitive.

Yet there must have been some considerable heart-searching among the traditionalists in the boardroom when it was proposed that, after nine model generations, the name Corolla should be superseded.

The latest manifestation of Toyota's middleweight puncher is the Auris and the change probably comes at a most opportune moment, for the family hatchback will certainly be the single most significant model that will help the Japanese company overtake General Motors to become the world's leading car maker this year.

It will also help the company achieve its target of 1.2 million sales in Europe in 2008 and that's especially good news for Britain because 100,000 of the new C-segment hatchbacks are being assembled alongside Avensis at the company's British plant in Derbyshire this year as well as in Turkey.

Like Yaris Mark II introduced a year ago, Auris is built on the premise that a small car need not be pinched for space.

It's as short and therefore as manoeuvrable as its competitors but it's taller in stance than most.

This, says Toyota, is to compensate, because we are growing taller.

Indeed, the car is derived from Toyota's space concept vehicle shown at the Paris show in the autumn and the real thing was unveiled at the Bologna show in December.

Accordingly, the four grade Auris, available with three or five doors, is larger in every dimension than the last of the Corollas.

And lots of thought has been given to making the most of what space is available - especially the flat floor at the rear.

Special attention has also been given to reducing engine and wind noise and to providing the optimum comfortable ride thanks to new suspension systems. The range-topping D-4D 180 exclusively uses a new double wishbone rear suspension and rear anti-roll bar.

All of the variants have electric- powered steering for first-rate response to what the driver desires.

Safety has also been accorded a high priority. Within a strong body structure up to nine airbags are fitted with a driver's knee bag as standard.

ABS brakes are supplemented by electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and the higher grade models are additionally equipped with vehicle stability control and traction control systems.

Initially, there are two petrol and three diesel engines with outputs ranging from 89 horsepower for the 1.4 litre diesel to 175 from the aforementioned 2.2 litre 180 oil burner.

The ultra clean D-4D has already earned its stripes when fitted to the Avensis, RAV 4 and Verso. It achieves more than 45 miles per gallon - but can also whip the car from standing to 60mph in little more than eight seconds.

The 2.0 litre diesel generates 125 horsepower while the 1.4 and 1.6 petrols achieve 96 and 123 respectively.

There's a wide choice of transmissions: five and six-speed manual and what's called a Multimode system with paddle shift controls that is optional with the 1.4 diesel and 1.6 petrol engines.

Prices start at £11,995 for the three door 1.4 petrol T2, which becomes available in April, and rise to £18,795 for the T180 five-door.

Corolla celebrated its 40th birthday last year and sales topped 31 million - if my maths are correct that means 90 cars were built in every hour since 1966. AD