The all-new third generation Avensis has its world premiere at the Paris motor show. Building on the success of its predecessors, Toyota’s new European flagship delivers a new level of superior quality, dynamic handling and refined ride comfort.
New Avensis will also contribute to a reduction in Toyota’s fleet average CO2 emissions to 140g/km by 2009. The Toyota Optimal Drive philosophy has been applied through a range of new petrol engines, upgraded diesel engines and new, advanced transmissions, giving customers reduced emissions without compromising power and driving pleasure.
INCREASED POWER AND TORQUE WITH LOWER, CLASS-LEADING EMISSIONS
The new Toyota Optimal Drive philosophy has been applied to the development of new Avensis’s engine line-up with a focus on minimising environmental impact while maximising driving pleasure through increased power and torque.
The best example of this is the new Valvematic range of petrol engines, which give 10 to 26 per cent lower CO2 emissions compared to equivalent power plants in the current Avensis. At the same time, power is increased by between three and 20 per cent. Toyota’s Valvematic technology helps improve fuel efficiency, power, torque and engine response and reduces CO2 emissions by simultaneously controlling valve timing and lift.
1.8-litre
Valvematic
The new 1.8-litre Valvematic offers a choice of the new
six-speed manual transmission or new Multidrive S, Toyota’s
latest continuously variable transmission technology. Power
is greater by 14 per cent compared to the previous 1.8 VVT-i
unit at 145bhp (147 DIN hp) and there is an extra 10Nm of
torque, with a maximum 180Nm delivered at 4,000rpm. CO2
emissions are down 10 per cent at 154g/km in the saloon with
manual gearbox; 16 per cent at 157g/km with Multidrive S
transmission.
2.0-litre
Valvematic
The 2.0-litre Valvematic is at the top of the petrol engine
range, offered with six-speed manual and Multidrive S
transmissions. Maximum output is 150bhp (152 DIN hp), three
per cent higher than Toyota’s 2.0-litre engine, and maximum
torque is 196Nm, produced at 4,000rpm. With manual
transmission, CO2 emissions have fallen 15 per
cent to 163g/km; with Multidrive S the decrease is even
greater – down 26 per cent to 164g/km.
With the benefit of these new engines, Toyota delivers a class-leading power to CO2 ratio.
Multidrive S
transmission
Multidrive S gives an incredibly smooth, refined shift
action, automatically optimising torque and fuel consumption
by always using the ideal engine speed. When the engine is
pressed a little harder, the transmission operates like a
seven-speed automatic, which helps eliminate the
characteristic whining associated with CVTs.
The transmission’s Sport mode gives a sportier drive, selecting a more responsive and power-maximising ratio in line with driver input. And for an even more involving drive, the system has a seven-speed sequential manual mode, letting the driver change gear using the shift lever or, exclusively on the 2.0 Valvematic, paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.
Diesel engines
The benefits of Toyota Optimal Drive are also evident in the
revised diesel engine line-up, with more torque at lower
speeds leading to lower emissions. The upgrades include new
piezo injectors and a higher injection pressure – 2,000 bar.
These new features help achieve a reduction in CO2
emissions of between 2.5 and 10 per cent compared to the
current generation Avensis.
2.0-litre D-4D 130
The 2.0-litre D-4D 130 engine delivers power through a
six-speed manual transmission and produces 124bhp (126 DIN
hp) at 3,600rpm and 310Nm of torque between 1,800 and
2,400rpm. Emissions are down seven per cent at 134g/km for
the saloon, with improved performance.
2.2-litre D-4D 150
The 2.2 D-4D 150 offers a strong balance of power and
economy. Output of 148bhp (150 DIN hp) is reached at
3,600rpm, with an increase in torque of nearly 10 per cent
to 340Nm, generated between 2,000 and 2,800rpm. This means
maximum torque is available in most driving conditions,
cutting the need for frequent gear changes, whilst still
delivering less than 150 g/km.
In a Toyota first for a diesel passenger car, this engine is offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission. This gives a fast shift response while maintaining comfortable performance by eliminating shift-shock. The system includes a sequential manual mode: by moving the shift level to the M gate, the driver can choose to select gears using the shift lever or paddle shifts on the steering wheel.
The 2.2 D-4D 150 engine benefits from Toyota D-CAT clean diesel technology and achieves CO2 emissions of less than 180g/km in the new Avensis saloon. D-CAT simultaneously reduces nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions through a maintenance-free system designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.
2.2-litre D-4D 180
The top-of-the-range diesel, the 2.2 D-4D 180 has a unique
combination of a low compression ratio and a high boost
turbocharger, which gives remarkable power and engine
efficiency. With 175bhp (177 DIN hp) and 400Nm of torque
across a rev band from 2,000 to 2,800rpm, it is among the
most powerful diesel engines in the D-segment. Nought to
62mph acceleration is achieved in 8.5 seconds, yet CO2
emissions are just 157g/km for the saloon, making it one of
the cleanest high power diesels on the market. Like the 2.2
D-4D 150, it uses Toyota D-CAT for cleaner operation.
Efficient driving
All new Avensis models are fitted with driving indicators to
help ensure efficient motoring. The on-board computer has an
ECO driving indicator on versions with six-speed automatic
and Multidrive S transmissions, showing the driver how
efficient his or her driving style is. Manual versions come
with a Gear Shift Indicator, which advises the driver on the
best timing for up and down gear changes.
