Wednesday, August 20, 2008

2007 Toyota Avensis










2007 Toyota Avensis

The Avensis is the flagship model for Toyota in Europe and it reflects the superior quality essential to achieve such status.

Designed and built in Europe, the Avensis accurately embodies all the key elements of the Toyota DNA - innovation, driving pleasure, design and superior quality.

The current generation Toyota Avensis was launched in 2003 and immediately recognised as a model that set new standards for the upper-medium car segment for refined quality and reliability.

With an exterior style conceived in Europe at ED2, Toyota's advanced design studio on the Côte d'Azur in the south of France, it has a timeless beauty while, at the same time, conveying strength and dynamic performance. That impression is further enhanced by the styling and design changes introduced for 2007.

The Toyota Avensis is also built in Europe. The car is produced at the Toyota Manufacturing UK plant at Burnaston, near Derby, in the United Kingdom.

The majority of the engines in the range are European too. All the diesel engines are produced in the new Toyota Motor Industries Poland factory while the best selling petrol engines (1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i) come from TMUK, Deeside in north Wales.

More sporty, dynamic styling


The key words for the current model exterior design, created at ED2 in Europe, were Modernity, Dynamism and Sophistication. The Toyota Avensis was conceived as having timeless beauty while also conveying strength and dynamic performance.

The 2007 Avensis develops these characteristics further with a series of subtle styling changes which emphasise the sporting and premium nature of the car. These styling enhancements set a new tone for the exterior and interior design of the car.

At the same time, the sophistication and high quality perception of the Avensis range has been improved through a series of enhancements to the driving environment, including the instrument panel, navigation ergonomics and minor controls.

The 2007 Avensis has a stronger and more emotional exterior design to give the car a more sporty feel and make it more recognisable on the road. Its role as a flagship model within the Toyota range is clear from the strong brand identity and bold frontal styling.

The front bumper styling is all-new, following the consistent design of Toyota core models. It is styled to create a premium image while emphasising the sporty and dynamic nature of the range.

There are strong vertical character lines which flow down from the bonnet and then extend horizontally along the bottom edge of the bumper. These divide the centre and side sections of the front bumper to create a dynamic shape.

The new radiator grille is designed around the double concave theme that gives it a clear Toyota identity and it has a chrome surround to enhance the premium image.

The new headlamp design clearly adds to the sporty nature of the 2007 Avensis with twin cylindrical lamps for high and low beams, aluminium textured reflectors and a smoked glass finish.

This sporty look is carried through to the rear of the 2007 Avensis with a new combination lamp where the cylindrical portion of the outer lens is clear and other portions are changed to rose-red, creating a high design contrast. The lamp cover adopts a vertically-striped design to emphasise the appearance of depth.

Attention to detail and a more premium feel is created by the introduction of LED turn-lamps mounted within the outer door mirrors. The mirror itself has been enlarged to improve rear vision and safety.

Five new colours are introduced on the 2007 Avensis. These colours are Ash Grey, Brocade Red, Storm Bronze, Fir Green and Pacific Blue.

Premium interior trim

The 2007 Avensis features a new interior colour and trim, even greater perceived quality and new ergonomics for the navigation system, steering wheel switches and instrument panel.

While the dark grey interior has proved extremely popular with customers, and is retained, a fresh two-tone interior of dark grey and greige has been created which gives a lighter ambience. This will appeal to customers who like a more modern feel.

At the same time, the interior trim fabrics have been upgraded with a small contrasting pattern to reflect the more modern, premium atmosphere.

The interior trim changes are further emphasised by the new decorative trim to the instrument panel and console which features a woodgrain effect for contrast with lighter interior colours or a more hi-tech metal grain.

Enhanced equipment levels

Premium quality levels of equipment have always been a feature of the Toyota Avensis and this strategy is further developed with the 2007 model.

Dusk and rain sensors will be standard from mid-grade specifications while the standard-fit audio, with turn-by-turn navigation (optional), is also upgraded. This now uses a 4x40W high power amplifier with a head unit that can read MP3 and WMA files plus display CD-text such as track and artist details.

A high quality audio sound is obtained with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Automatic Sound Leveliser (ASL) which controls sound volume and frequency characteristics automatically by estimating noise level from vehicle speed.

Where the optional, full map navigation is installed, the remote control is now built in to the centre console allowing better ergonomics and easier control of the many functions.

Three distinct bodystyles

The 2007 Toyota Avensis will be offered in the same range of bodystyles as the current model: Sedan, Wagon and Liftback.

Although the interior dimensions of the 2007 Avensis remain unchanged from the currentmodel, the new, more dynamic frontal styling has resulted in an extra 15mm of length.

The overall length of the Sedan and Liftback models is 4,645mm with the Wagon at 4,715mm.

Brand new D-4D 125

The brand-new 2.0-litre D-4D 125 is an important development in the evolution of the new generation Toyota diesel engines. The new engine shares much of the advanced technology of the 2.2-litre D-4D units from which it has been derived and delivers excellent power and fuel economy to satisfy customer demand for refined driving performance.

Installed in the 2007 Avensis, the D-4D 125 will achieve best-in-class performance with highly competitive, low CO2 emissions of 146 g/km (combined cycle). The engine develops 93 kW (126 DIN hp) and 300 Nm of torque with the torque output flat from around 2,000rpm to 2,800rpm. Engine power output has been raised by 9% and maximum torque is up by 7% compared to the outgoing 2.0-litre D-4D 116 DIN hp.

With a six-speed manual transmission as standard, top speed of the Avensis D-4D 125 will be 200 km/h and acceleration to 100 km/h will take 10.6 seconds. In the mid-range, acceleration from 80-120 km/h takes 12.0 seconds.

This takes the Avensis D-4D 125 to the heart of the European upper-medium diesel car market and, just like the car, the new engine has been developed and calibrated in Europe. It will be built at Toyota Motor Industries Poland (TMIP) alongside the rest of the D-4D range.

Powerful D-4D 180 Clean Power

At the top of the 2007 Avensis range will be the D-4D 180 Clean Power engine which allows the Avensis to truly demonstrate its refined driving performance and challenge established models in the premium upper medium sector. The unique combination of a low compression ratio and high boost turbocharger creates remarkable power output and engine efficiency.

The D-4D 180 puts the 2007 Avensis among the most powerful diesel cars in the uppermedium segment with 130 kW (177 DIN hp) of power at 3,600 rpm and a remarkably flat torque delivery of 400 Nm across an engine range from 2,000 to 2,600 rpm.

With a six-speed manual gearbox, this enables the Avensis to reach 220km/h and accelerate to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds while delivering outstanding mid-gear acceleration for safe and enjoyable performance in real world driving conditions. Furthermore, the Avensis D-4D 180 has a combined fuel consumption of only 6.1 l/100 km which makes it, on average, 20% more fuel-efficient than diesel competitors of similar power.

The D-4D 180 is not only powerful, but clean - thanks to Toyota's advanced and unique Toyota D-CAT emissions control technology which reduces NOx and particulate emissions at the same time. The technology allows the engine to easily pass EURO IV emission standards by greatly reducing hydrocarbons (HC) + Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Particular Matter (PM) emissions.

Indeed, thanks to Toyota's D-CAT (Diesel Clean Advanced Technology), the D-4D 180 Clean Power engine boasts the smallest combined NOx and PM emissions for diesel engines in its segment. Most crucially, and unlike most particular filters found on the market, DPNR is maintenance-free and doesn't require any component replacement.

Piezoelectric injector technology allows faster and more accurate fuel injection during the combustion cycle. Running up to pressures of 1,800 bar, the Toyota piezoelectric commonrail system can deliver five fuel injections per cycle resulting in greater efficiency and reduced engine noise due to lower combustion impact.

The engine has also been equipped with ceramic glow plugs. The ability to withstand much higher temperatures allows the Toyota ceramic glow plug to maintain the same efficiency rates for a much longer period than conventional metallic glow plugs would allow.

Furthermore, the ceramic glow plugs are able to reach the ideal temperature quicker than metallic ones. This leads to more rapid cold starts at lower air temperature.

The D-4D 150

The 2007 Avensis D-4D 150 aims to offer customers a well-balanced proposition of power and economy. It shares 85% of the components with the 177 DIN hp version.

This engine is positioned between the new D-4D 125 and the D-4D 180 , thus representing the 2007 Avensis in the mid-power band of the diesel upper-medium segment. The D-4D 150's strong point is wide torque range - it delivers 310 Nm between 2,000 and 3,200 rpm.

The benefit from this torque curve is an unparalleled level of effortless performance. Under most driving conditions, the driver can use the maximum torque which translates into highest efficiency (more performance with lower fuel consumption) or the ability to overcome steep climbs without additional throttle input.

Power output from the D-4D 150 is 110 kW (150 DIN hp) and will reach a top speed of 210 km/h. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 9.3 seconds.

Like the other diesel engines in the 2007 Avensis range, the D-4D 150 benefits from allaluminium construction and a low compression ratio (16.8:1) that helps achieve higher efficiency with lower levels of noise and vibration.

The common-rail injection system has a maximum injection pressure of approximately 1,700 bar.

The VVT-i engines

Two of the petrol engines, the 1.6 and 1.8-litre, are already well recognised within the Toyota model range and offer an excellent balance of lively performance and exceptional fuel consumption. The Toyota VVT-i technology (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent) is well established to deliver increased mid-range acceleration and torque with reduced fuel consumption.

Both engines comply with Euro IV emissions standards and improved low emissions have been achieved by positioning the catalytic converter directly behind the exhaust manifold to reduce cold-start emissions.

The 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre VVT-i engines are both sourced in Europe and built at the Toyota Motor UK plant at Deeside.

The 1.6-litre VVT-i petrol develops 81kW (110 DIN hp) at 6,000rpm and has maximum torque of 150Nm at 3,800rpm. It gives the 2007 Avensis a maximum speed of 195km/h and acceleration to 100km/h from rest in 12.0 seconds (12.2s for Wagon).

Fuel consumption on the European combined cycle is 7.2 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 172g/km (173 for Wagon).

The 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol is the best selling petrol engine in the range and develops 95kW (129 DIN hp) at 6,000rpm and has maximum torque of 170Nm at 4,200rpm. It gives the 2007 Avensis a maximum speed of 200km/h (195km/h: A/T) with a manual gearbox and acceleration to 100km/h from rest in 10.3 seconds (10.5 s. Wagon), once again with a manual gearbox.

Fuel consumption on the European combined cycle is 7.2 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 171 g/km (172 for Wagon) with manual gearbox.

2.0-litre direct injection

The 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine is the latest derivative of the advanced directinjection petrol unit available in the current model range.

The Engine Control Unit (ECU) offers low emission levels (with reduced NOx) with improved performance and superior acceleration, thanks to highly accurate fuel metering and efficient combustion of the direct injection. Further improvements to the 2.0-litre direct-injection engine include an under-floor catalyst and an engine ECU that retards the ignition of the engine on cold start in order to warm the catalyst more quickly.

The 2.0-litre direct injection engine in the 2007 Avensis offers a sporty drive, particularly when the latest enhancements to suspension and steering are taken into account. It develops 108kW (147 DIN hp) at 5,700rpm and has maximum torque of 196Nm at 4,000rpm. It takes the 2007 Avensis to a maximum speed of 210km/h (205km/h: A/T) and accelerates to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds (9.6s: Wagon).

Thanks to its advanced technology, the 2.0-litre direct injection Avensis is remarkably economical at 8.1 litres/100km on the European combined cycle with 191g/km CO2 emissions (193 for Wagon) with manual transmission.

Powerful 2.4-litre direct injection

The latest addition to the Avensis petrol engine range is Toyota's pioneering 2.4-litre petrol direct-injection unit.

The engine is based on the 2.4-litre VVT-i engine from Previa where, among other modifications, a new engine head was adopted in order to enable fuel injection directly into the cylinder. With 120kW (163 DIN hp) at 5,800rpm on tap, and a healthy 230Nm of torque at just 3,800rpm, driving pleasure and performance is excellent. The 2.4 petrol direct injection Avensis accelerates from 0-100km in 9.1 seconds (wagon: 9.3 s.) and has a top speed of 220 km/h.

At the same time, the direct injection technology offers excellent fuel economy thanks to its sophisticated control systems. Combined fuel consumption for the 2007 Avensis is 9.5 l/100km (9.6 for the Wagon) and CO2 emissions are 227 g/km (wagon: 228).

The 2.4-litre direct injection is a high technology unit that can claim the highest injection pressure (between 8 and 13Mpa) of any direct injection petrol engine yet launched. Yet this higher pressure, which contributes to the improved performance and better fuel economy, has been achieved without adversely affecting noise levels.

Toyota has developed a totally new engine cover that ensures noise levels and general vibration measurements on the 2.4 petrol direct-injection are in line with the 2007 Avensis premium quality position. A new twin balance shaft, installed below the crankshaft in a special housing, contributes for improved smoothness, with a low level of noise and vibration.

The Avensis 2.4 petrol direct injection is available exclusively with an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth and seamless gear changes and contributes to the car's impressive levels of refinement in all driving modes.

The five speed gearbox is no larger than most other four-speed units and is some 7kg lighter and 40mm more compact than other five-speed units currently in production. Yet it has a torque capacity that is greater than that of most four-speed units. The end result is a transmission that benefits both acceleration and fuel economy with five ratios less widely spaced than is possible with a four speed unit, but with a higher final gear ratio.

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