Toyota has introduced Stop&Start technology on its 1.33-litre petrol engine in its Auris model.

As a result of the new technological addition the Auris gets a 17% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to 135g/km and a 19% improvement in fuel economy to 48.7mpg.

The new 100bhp engine will be built with the technology at Toyota’s UK plant in Deeside, North Wales and will also come with a new six-speed manual transmission.

The new Stop&Start engine has also been given Toyota’s “Optimal Drive” which focuses on improving environmental efficiency without losing driving performance.

The Auris is the first model in Europe to benefit from the Toyota Stop&Start technology. When the car is stationary, with the transmission in neutral and the driver’s foot off the clutch pedal, the engine automatically stops. When the driver re-engages the clutch, the engine automatically restarts.

All new Toyota models will benefit from Toyota Optimal Drive and the new iQ, Avensis and Auris 1.33 Stop&Start will be the first to feature the new technology.

The Stop&Start Auris is on sale now priced from £12,705.