I've had my 2014 Auris Hybrid TS for 9 months or so now, and I'm loving it, a lot more than I expected.
I'm curious about the way the Battery/motor is used during acceleration. Say you're on a flat road, maybe 55mph or something like that. Eco mode. Lets say you want to accelerate. Accelerator input is about 3/4 of the way, the engine RPM will be quite high, nearly at the top of the power band. At this point, acceleration is mild and the Battery is still receiving charge. Now, you gently push the accelerator all the way down. RPM didn't change much but there is a noticeable kick from the motor, now it provides maximum assistance. Acceleration is now fairly brisk, indeed 50-70mph is actually pretty impressive.
My question, really an observation I suppose, is... why doesn't Toyota provide more Battery assist earlier on? If I've been travelling long enough, my Battery will be 2 bars from full (so at its normal maintained charge). It seems to me that instead of increasing RPM for those moments of 3/4 throttle accelerations (or indeed climbing a slight incline), that Battery charge could be used instead and then replenished during any subsequent coasting/downhill. It would reduce the annoying high engine RPM and, possibly, improve efficiency (it's already excellent so no complaints there).