TOYOTA'S AVANZA REVISED FOR 2009

TOYOTA SAYS: In line with Toyota’s philosophy of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, the company has announced a minor styling upgrade for its popular Avanza compact wagon.

When it was introduced, the Avanza created a new market by offering a 5+2 seating configuration in a B-segment size vehicle. It therefore offers flexibility that allows it to be tailored to a range of family transport needs, be they biased towards passenger or luggage carrying requirements, as all the rear seats can be folded and tumbled in various layouts to achieve this.

This compact MPV caters for buyers, mainly in the younger family market, who are faced with a change in their transport needs as the family increases in number, or grows up and transitions into the school going phase.

The Avanza offers a number of items that many would expect on high-level specification models. For instance all the models in the range have power windows on all four passenger doors, power steering, remote central locking and an immobiliser.

All, excluding the base model, are fitted with air conditioning, ABS brakes and driver and passenger front airbags. The TX grade is also equipped with 15’’ Alloy wheels.

The Avanza has achieved top-ten sales status in the passenger vehicle market in South Africa since its introduction – 6 062 of these compact MPVs were delivered to customers in 2008.

Interior revisions for the 2009 version of the Avanza include the introduction of a new dark grey trim, improving the vehicle’s practicality even more. On the top-of-the-range Avanza 1.5TX silver plating are added to the door arm rests for enhanced aesthetic appeal.

The exterior changes feature a ribbed roof design. Outside door handles are now painted in body colour on all SX models, while chrome handles have been added to the TX model. Further additions to the SX models include side protection mouldings and window frame black out. Green tinted laminated windscreen glass is now standard on all models, while the 1.5 TX still has shaded privacy glass fitted to the side and rear hatch window areas.

The four model range remains unchanged with its choice of 1.3 or 1.5 litre double overhead camshaft, 16-valve engines with VVT-i variable valve timing technology and ‘S’, ‘SX’ or ‘TX’ specification levels. The 1.3 litre engine produces 67kW @ 6000 rpm with maximum torque of 120Nm @ 4400 rpm. The 1.5 litre engine offers maximum power of 80kW @ 6000 rpm and torque of 141Nm @ 4400 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is fitted to all models.

Recommended retail prices (including VAT):

Avanza 1.3 S R123 300

Avanza 1.3 SX R138 500

Avanza 1.5 SX R146 200

Avanza 1.5 TX R165 500

All Avanza models come with a 4yr/60 000km service plan and 3yr/100 000 warranty.