The New Toyota Avensis – A Superior Quality Experience

KEY POINTS

• All new car launched in the UK on 1 March in saloon, hatchback and Tourer bodystyles
• On the road prices from £13,995 for T2 saloon/hatchback to £21,495 for T Spirit Tourer with sequential automatic transmission
• Available in five specification grades – T2, T3-S, T3-X, T4 and T Spirit – offering a wide choice of equipment
• Superior quality concept introduces premium model levels of comfort, convenience and performance to the D segment
• Built exclusively at Toyota Manufacturing UK factory at Burnaston, near Derby
• Target of c27,000 full-year UK sales
• New Toyota flagship model in Europe, forming core of product range with Yaris and Corolla
• Designed and engineered in Europe and extensively tested on European roads to ensure strong appeal to local markets
• All engines, petrol and diesel, comply from launch with EURO IV emissions legislation – a world-first achievement
• Two petrol engines available at launch – 1.8-litre VVT-i and 2.0-litre direct injection
• 2.0-litre direct injection D-4D diesel available from May 2003 offers a three per cent saving in company car tax (BIK) over all competitors
• All models equipped with nine airbags as standard, including driver’s knee SRS airbag – a European first
• Highly rigid Minimum Intrusion Cabin Structure (MICS) increases passenger safety
• All models equipped with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• All 2.0-litre petrol models additionally equipped with Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• ISO-FIX child seat anchors with top tether fitted as standard
• 2.0-litre diesel engine with Diesel Clean Advanced Technologies (D-CAT) available from last quarter of 2003
• D-CAT achieves new low in emissions levels for diesel engine, substantially below EURO-IV requirements for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM)
• Double-wishbone-type rear suspension derived from Celica sports coupe offers excellent handling performance
• Electric Motor-assisted Power Steering (EMPS) fitted to 1.8-litre petrol models for greater steering feel and improved fuel economy
• Optional sequential automatic transmission available on all petrol versions
• Standard-fit Optitron instrumentation offers clear read-out in all conditions
• Eight speaker audio system with CD player and steering wheel-mounted controls fitted as standard
• New Ultra Light ConceptTM (ULC) insulation achieves new levels of absorption of engine and road noise offering substantial weight savings, aiding fuel economy
• Class-leading insurance groups, extended service intervals and reduced parts and material costs contribute to excellent cost of ownership profile

Toyota will raise the stakes in the key D segment with the launch of its all-new Avensis model on 1 March. All three body styles – saloon, hatchback and Tourer – will be available from launch in five distinct specification grades: T2, T3-S, T3-X, T4 and T Spirit.

Initially there will be a choice of a 1.8-litre VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligent) and 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engines. A 2.0-litre D-4D direct injection diesel will be available from May 2003. The new Avensis is the first model in the world to be offered with an engine range fully compliant with EURO IV emissions regulations.

Setting New Standards in Safety

Safety has been a fundamental priority in the development of the new Avensis. As standard, nine airbags will be offered across the range. They include the first European standard-fit driver’s knee SRS airbag, which deploys from beneath the steering column.

Occupant protection is provided through an exceptionally strong and rigid body structure. This Minimal Intrusion Cabin System (MICS) is designed to absorb and disperse impact energies away from the passenger cell through high-strength sheet steel construction and the careful location of reinforcements, cross members and impact beams.

All models are equipped with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are (additionally) standard on all 2.0-litre petrol models.

An innovation on the new Avensis is a dual-stage seatbelt reminder. An initial warning light comes on if the driver and front passenger fail to buckle up, followed by a warning buzzer when the car’s speed reaches 10mph. After 30 seconds the volume and frequency of the buzzer increases.

Further standard safety elements include the provision of ISO-FIX child seat mounts with top tether anchor and clear view Optitron instrumentation.

World First in Clean Engine Technology

The new Avensis is the first model in the world to be launched with an engine line-up fully compliant with EURO IV emissions legislation, well in advance of its enforcement date of January 2005.

The 129bhp 1.8-litre VVT-i and 147bhp 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engines are developments of units which appeared in the previous generation Avensis, now offering lower CO2 emissions levels.

These will be joined in May 2003 by a 116bhp 2.0 D-4D diesel, one of the first to comply with EURO IV requirements. The diesel profile will be extended during the last quarter of 2003 with the introduction of Toyota’s Diesel Clean Advanced Technologies (D-CAT). Using this system, the 2.0-litre diesel will deliver greatly improved emissions levels with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions way below the EURO IV benchmarks.

Engineered for Success

Central to the handling character of the new Avensis is its double-wishbone-type rear suspension. The system has been derived from the Celica sports coupe, a car which has earned much press and popular acclaim for its handling performance. The system has been adapted for use in the Avensis and tuned to provide a more compliant ride, better suited to a family vehicle. At the front there is a new MacPherson strut independent suspension.

Another key factor in the dynamic quality of the new car is its strong body structure. Constructed in lightweight high-strength steel, it offers excellent torsional rigidity.

Superior Quality Comfort and Convenience

The new Avensis will set new standards in the segment with its refined styling, precision build and excellent ride and handling qualities. The new car is larger than the previous model but not as large from the outside as many of its competitors. The very essence of the design of the new car was not to make it a cumbersome large car but to make it very roomy and spacious from the inside, using intelligent use of space.

The new Avensis at 4,630mm long is 50mm shorter overall than the VW Passat and 100mm shorter than the Ford Mondeo.

High quality materials have been used throughout for the trim and upholstery and NVH levels have been reduced to rival the standard of premium market models.

Central to the elimination of road and engine noise has been the introduction of Ultra Light ConceptTM. This new sound damping material is not only highly effective in absorbing noise, in particular high frequency sound, it is also remarkably light. Weight savings achieved through its use make an important contribution to fuel economy.

Multi-use storage areas are located all around the passenger compartment. Detail touches include damped lids and use of soft-touch plastics. Rear seats split-fold in the hatchback, Tourer and most saloon versions. Extra concealed storage space is available under the load floor in the Tourer. The floor panel can also be adapted to create separate stowage areas.

Toyota’s European Flagship

From the outset, new Avensis has been designed, developed and engineered for the European market, where it will complete Toyota’s core product line-up alongside Yaris and Corolla. It will enjoy the status of Toyota’s European flagship, targeting 130,000 sales annually – around 27,000 of those in the UK market.

New Avensis was designed at Toyota’s ED2 design studio in the South of France and engineered specifically to meet the demands of European drivers. Extensive testing was undertaken on European roads to ensure optimum handling and performance in local conditions.

Formidable Cost of Ownership Qualities

Competitive cost of ownership qualities were engineered into the new Avensis from the outset. Components were designed for simple repair and replacement at low cost in the

event of typical low speed front and rear impacts. The new Avensis also benefits from Toyota’s pan-European Health & Safety schedule with major maintenance services only every 20,000 miles. Health & Safety checks, including an oil change, are required at 10,000-mile intervals or annually.

UK insurance groups begin at an equal-best-in-class 7E for certain versions of the 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel; the rating for the 2.0-litre petrol model starts at a best-in-class 8E. All models have earned the ABI Thatcham ‘E’ classification for exceeding industry standard levels of vehicle security.

On the road prices start from £13,995 for the 1.8 T2 saloon and hatchback, rising to £21,495 for the T Spirit Tourer with sequential automatic transmission. Full pricing details are provided overleaf.

New Toyota Avensis Pricing

NEW AVENSIS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

NEW AVENSIS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – CONTINUED

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