Frankfurt 2011: New Avensis: Exterior design — elegance and refinement

Though the overall dimensions of both sedan and wagon versions of the vehicle remain unchanged, the new Avensis has been extensively restyled to give it a more elegant and athletic appearance.

A bolder, more refined frontal treatment features the distinctive new face of the next generation Toyota family. Key to the new design direction is a change in the proportions of the upper and lower grilles, with the emphasis now placed on enlarging the latter for a more assertive, dynamic look.

Beneath the trademark Avensis 'clamshell' bonnet, a new, wider and more powerful grille design is flanked by narrower, more expressive headlamps which emphasise the sleek, elegant proportions of the new styling. The new headlamps now incorporate daytime running lights.

The lower bumper has been expressively sculpted with a strong, protruding centre section housing a large air intake to focusattention on the bottom half of the vehicle. In conjunction with the crisp detailing of integral foglamp pockets placed at the bumper extremities, the design gives the new Avensis a wider, more purposeful stance and a more ground-hugging appearance.

To the rear, the new Avensis features a newly designed rear bumper incorporating a centre guard on sedan models. Both combination lamp clusters and foglamps have been restyled for greater prominence and visibility. And a new, sleeker, chromed license garnish design adds a further touch of elegance.

16" steel wheels feature a new cap design, whilst the existing 16" and 17" Fuji alloy wheels have been enhanced through new colour and machine facings. The other 17" and 18" alloys also benefit from a new, darker colour treatment.

One new exterior colour has been added to the range the standard Red being replaced by a deep, premium Dark Red which brings added maturity to the new model range.