Topics:
- Bold & assured: 3rd generation Avensis
- Toyota’s revolutionary new iQ urban car
- Urban Cruiser, Toyota’s new compact SUV
- Award-winning Prius and Plug-in Hybrid technology
3rd generation Avensis
Toyota is proud to present the third generation Avensis, its European flagship model. Bold in character and strong in intelligence, the all-new Avensis projects an athletic and sleek design in a harmony of smooth flowing lines. Designed and built in Europe, the car exudes a quiet confidence that comes from years of preparation, knowledge and attention to detail. Featuring more powerful and cleaner engines that emit less CO2, improved quality, and enhanced equipment levels, the Avensis is set to push the boundaries of the D-segment in Europe.
New iQ urban car
Also on stage is the eagerly awaited Toyota iQ. Measuring less than 3 metres in length, the iQ is not just the world’s smallest premium 4-seater, it is also a serious driving machine with CO2 emissions levels starting at a mere 99 g/km. Important for a car of this size, the iQ will offer 360° protection to all occupants. Its high levels of active and passive safety include the world’s first curtain shield airbags installed behind the rear seats. The iQ is an expression of individuality and quality, designed to offer the urban mobility, refinement and sophistication that modern buyers demand. Production starts in late 2008.
Urban Cruiser, a new kind of urban all-roader
Another show highlight will be the 1.4-litre D-4D diesel All Wheel Drive (AWD) Urban Cruiser – Toyota’s new urban all-roader. Drawing on Toyota’s rich heritage of successful SUV’s, it features a unique rugged exterior design and unequalled safety performance. Moreover, with a CO2 emissions level of only 133 g/km for the AWD version, the Urban Cruiser is an environmentally responsible SUV. Scheduled for introduction in the first half of 2009, the Urban Cruiser is set to become a powerful challenger in the urban all-roader market for tomorrow’s low carbon society.
Award-winning Prius and Plug-in Hybrid technology
Toyota Prius continues to collect top awards across Europe, most recently First Place for Customer Satisfaction in the 2008 JD Power awards, and Engine of the Year for the 5th consecutive year. Sales figures demonstrate the car’s iconic status: over 1 million sold worldwide and over 100,000 in Europe.
Toyota committed to launch Plug-in Hybrid by 2010. Plug-in Hybrid represents the best of both worlds as it combines in one vehicle zero-emissions electric drive with unlimited autonomy.
Yoshikazu Tanaka, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Chief Engineer, explains: “Like early TMC-developed hybrid cars, the Toyota Plug-in Hybrid runs on both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. However, what sets the Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle apart is the increased battery capacity that enables a longer electric-motor-only cruising range, and a battery-charging function that allows users to recharge the batteries externally using household electricity.
