The new Toyota Avanza: fits any family

THE first-generation Toyota Avanza was a pioneering ?no-frills? compact MPV that delivered exactly what it promised ? it got as many people as possible from one place to another in comfort. However, the all-new Avanza which goes on sale on February 6 has upped the ante considerably by going big: it?s big on style, big on space and big on comfort. Make no mistake, the newcomer still retains all the virtues of the outgoing model: seven-seater flexibility, compact exterior dimensions and excellent value for money. However, the entire package is improved thanks to the following:
? A dynamic new design inside and out
? Improved comfort levels
? Improved storage capacity
? Improved safety specification levels
? Improved ride comfort and handling stability
? Improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions Says Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing (Toyota SA Motors): ?The Avanza with its three-row configuration and affordable price tag has virtually no competitors in the compact MPV market segment.

This all-new second-generation model offers so much more from a styling, refinement and comfort perspective, that we are confident it will be even more favourably received than its predecessor.?

Design and styling
Dynamic and spacious are the two keywords in the Avanza?s design language. More remarkable is the fact that this was achieved without dramatically increasing external dimensions. Frontal design traits include an outwardlythrusting ?snout? which incorporates the Toyota logo.
Interior
Dynamism and spaciousness characterise the Avanza?s indoor environment. The design of the instrument panel has been lowered to enhance visibility and opens up the cabin. The tactile quality of the interior has also been addressed with all dashboard and door panel surfaces offering a high quality texture without using paint or chrome. One of the biggest triumphs is the way in which occupant and luggage space has been increased without substantially enlarging the external dimensions. All three rows of seats offer occupants ample room including knee room and, even with a full complement of passengers utilising all the seats, there is still enough boot space to store a fair amount of luggage. Performance
T h e 1 . 3 - a n d 1.5-litre petrol engines and transmission are essentially carry-overs from the first-generation model, however, the vehicle body weight has been reduced by approximately 20kg, and aerodynamic performance has been enhanced. In addition, low rolling resistance tyres and EPS (Electric Power Steering) have been adopted whilst control of the air conditioning and engine has been improved. This together with a myriad of other minute improvements has combined to realise substantial accelerative performance and fuel economy enhancements.

On the performance front, the 1.5 manual goes from 0-100km/h in 11.9 seconds ? down from 12,1 seconds (the figure is marginally slower for the auto); interestingly the 1.3-litre version with its lighter mass dispatches the obligatory sprint in exactly the same time as its 1500 stablemate (also 11,9 seconds ? down from 12,2 seconds), but bear in mind that the in-gear acceleration for the 1500 is stronger than its smaller stablemate.

Safety
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) is standard on all new Avanzas. The brake booster has been changed to a floating structure type (where the vacuum valve is closed when not operated). This reduces initial ineffective stroke, resulting in enhanced brake feeling. On the passive safety front, all new Avanza models feature dual front airbags. All Avanza models come with a four-year/60 000 km Toyota- Care Service Plan included in the purchase price (service intervals are every 15 000 km), along with Toyota?s comprehensive threeyear/ 100 000 km warranty. Words and images: www.quickpic.co.za