New Avensis

Designed, engineered and built in Europe, more than 1,711,800 Avensis cars spanning three generations have appeared on European roads since its launch at the end of 1997.

Quality, Durability and Reliability has always been one of the Avensis' strongest suits. The current model is consistently highly rated in the D-segment for QDR, and in 2014 received the highest score in Germany's J.D.Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Survey.

Though the Avensis has traditionally appealed to both private buyers and the fleet market, it is the latter which represents easily the largest sales base.

Responding, then, to both private buyers' demands for greater prestige, luxury and elegance and user-choosers' desires for increased sportiness, dynamism and chic, the new, 2015 Avensis has been designed to offer all its customers significant improvements in five key areas:

Styling —a new, more prestigious and dynamic exterior design with LED lamp technology.

Sensory Quality and Comfort- an all-new, more elegant and refined interior design prioritising significantly improved sensory quality, comfort, trim, finishes and colour schemes, and NVH.

Safety - a comprehensive upgrading of safety systems designed to achieve a 5-Star Euro NCAP rating. A focus on active safety technology introduces the new Toyota Safety Sense system, fitted as standard across the model range.

Equipment and Value for Money - a new, more clearly differentiated grade structure with class-leading standard equipment levels and advanced technology such as the Toyota Touch 2 system and an 8" multimedia screen.

Driving Pleasure and Running Costs - two new diesel engines, lower CO₂ emissions across the entire range, larger service intervals and lower service costs, and chassis enhancements for improved ride and handling.

Toyota anticipates that these comprehensive enhancements will not only promote greater loyalty within the model's existing customer base, but also appeal to new customers who are attracted by the generous offer that the new Avensis represents.

STYLING

Both the sedan and Touring Sports versions of the new Avensis have been designed to give them a more distinctive and dynamic appearance.

Extending overall vehicle length by 40mm, the front is a bold, prestigious interpretation of Toyota's Under Priority and Keen Look design language.

The Toyota logo is more prominently set within a smaller, more aggressively styled upper grille. The grille features a chrome trim bar which anchors new LED headlamp clusters. The headlamps incorporate LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), giving the new Avensis a unique frontal signature.

Encompassing a gloss black-painted bumper centre, the lower grille has been significantly enlarged. Pushing the foglamp housings to the very extremities of the front bumper, this makes the vehicle visually broader.

To the side, a new rocker garnish places a more horizontal emphasis on the vehicle profile to visually lower its centre of gravity. This more elegant profile is further enhanced by a choice of new 17" and 18" alloy wheel designs.

The rear of the vehicle has also been designed to add further emphasis to its broad road stance. The rear lamp clusters incorporate LED light guide technology, giving the new Avensis a high-tech light signature.

SENSORY QUALITY AND COMFORT

One of the aims of the new Avensis, was to guarantee comfort and convenience across the range. The elegant and refined interior is an important contributor towards this goal. Sensory quality and NVH levels are lifted to the next level, and the cabin is further enhanced by new trim, finishes and colour schemes.

The instrument panel is divided into two volumes. The sleek, full-width upper element showcases an instrument binnacle incorporating tubed tachometer and speedometer dials either side of a large 4.2" colour TFT multi-information screen (as of Mid grade).

The lower volume houses a centre console that is separated from the transmission tunnel and dominated by an 8" full colour touch screen interface. A carefully designed steering wheel and gear lever complete the cockpit.

The feel and operation of all switchgear has been improved, and sensory quality is further heightened by the careful harmonisation of text and symbols, and more consistent back-lit illumination.

Satin chrome highlighting to the instrument binnacle, steering wheel and centre console switchgear, air vents, and gear lever have a crisper, higher quality appearance.

Fully described in the 'Equipment and Value for Money' chapter, a new range of more appealing interior finishes includes fabric and Alcantara seat upholstery, and a new, Dual Ambient colour scheme which gives customers a choice of Terracotta or Light Grey interior finishes.

The new Avensis' more elegant and luxurious, premium quality cabin is further improved by a new front seat design, ideally suited to long distance driving.

The size of the upper backrest has been increased and the backrest bolsters redesigned, combining additional shoulder support with improved lateral holding performance. The seat suspension mat has been redesigned to improve pressure distribution and reduce long-haul fatigue. The cushion angle has been increased to offer better thigh support, and the cushion side bolsters reshaped to improve lateral hold.

NVH

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) has been significantly reduced, ensuring that the increase in the new Avensis' interior quality and comfort is matched by a perceptible decrease in cabin noise.

New and thicker materials provide additional sound absorption and insulation, and seal quantity, thickness and width have been increased throughout the bodyshell.

The hood insulator thickness and density, and engine under-cover insulator thickness and size have been increased, and an underbody damping sheet is added for diesel variants. A polyurethane foam overmoulding has been incorporated within the fender protector.

Air-conditioning noise has been reduced through heater air duct seal lip integration. Versions equipped with a Skyview panoramic sunroof feature a roof-lining damping sheet, and a dynamic damper within the rear door has been added to Touring Sports variants.

EQUIPMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY

Designed not only to appeal to private buyers but also fulfil every requirement of exacting fleet customers, the new Avensis features a clearly differentiated grade structure.

New Entry, Mid, Mid+ and High grades combine higher standard equipment levels with improved refinement and sensory quality, and advanced technology such as the Toyota Touch 2 range of multimedia systems.

In addition to class-leading standard equipment levels, all Mid grades further offer the segment-unique appeal of Alcantara upholstery fitted as standard, and a new, Dual Ambient colour scheme which gives customers a choice of Terracotta or Light Grey interior finishes.

Further bolstered by the availability of several equipment-enhancing option packs and a new Toyota Safety Sense system fitted as standard across the range, the new Avensis offers key equipment for fleet customers, outstanding value for money and no compromise on safety at every level of the new grade structure.

Entry grademodels feature a black and grey interior finish. They are equipped, as standard, with manual air-conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), a radio/CD player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and the Toyota Safety Sense system.

Mid grade showcases the Avensis' new, Dual Ambient interior colour scheme: a choice of Terracotta or Light Grey finishes. It builds on the Entry grade specification with automatic air-conditioning, a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen, Automatic High Beam (AHB) headlamps, rain and dusk sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, fabric and Alcantara seat upholstery, an enhanced version of the Toyota Safety Sense system, and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system incorporating a rear view camera.

Specifically tailored to the requirements of fleet customers, Mid+ grade enhances this core, business-user specification with the addition of LED headlamps and LED DRL lightguides with a unique signature, cornering foglamps, rear privacy glass, leather and Alcantara upholstery and 17-inch, machine-faced alloy wheels.

High grade offers customers the most comprehensive standard equipment. It builds on the Mid+ grade with smart entry, rear privacy glass, full leather upholstery and Toyota Touch 2 with Go Plus, incorporating a full map navigation system.

The High grade specification may be further upgraded with a Premium Pack, which features newly-designed 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps incorporating an Adaptive Front Lighting system (AFS), power-operated front seats with a memory function and a Skyview panoramic sunroof.

DRIVING PLEASURE AND RUNNING COSTS

The new Avensis powertrain line-up has been comprehensively revised, building on the durability and reliability for which it is already renowned to offer customers reductions in fuel consumption, emissions and cost of ownership.

In addition, chassis enhancements offer ride comfort and handling improvements across the model range.

Diesel Engines

The five-strong engine range features two diesels, both new: a 112 hp/82 kW 1.6 litre D-4D and -making its first appearance in a Toyota- a 143 hp/ 105 kW 2.0 litre D-4D unit.

The 1.6 D-4D generates CO₂ emissions of just 108 g/km*, 11 g/km less than the 2.0 litre unit it replaces, whilst the 119 g/km* of the new 2.0 litre engine represents a significant, 24 g/km reduction over the emissions of the outgoing 2.2 litre unit.

Diesel running costs have also been lowered by an increase in service intervals for both units to 20,000 km, and by a reduction in 90,000 km/3 year service costs of approx 20% for both units.

New 1.6 D-4D

Reflecting the current downsizing of powerplants to achieve better fuel economy, lower emissions and improved driving dynamics, a new 1.6 D-4D engine replaces the existing 2.0 D-4D.

Mated to a 6-speed gearbox and 20 kg lighter than its 2.0 litre predecessor, this Euro 6 compliant engine develops 112 DIN hp/82 kW at 4,000rpm and 270 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,250 rpm. It accelerates the Avensis from 0-100 km/h in 11.4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 180 km/h.

The engine delivers an 8% improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing 2.0 D-4D unit, equating to fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km* in the combined homologation cycle. Simultaneously, CO₂ emissions have reduced from 119 to only 108 g/km*.

The engine has been tuned to deliver a fast throttle response throughout the rev range. It generates good initial response at low rpm, and then, as turbo boost develops, provides a linear torque build-up. The availability of torque has also been stretched, so the engine will rev freely beyond 3,000 rpm without running out of breath.

New 2.0 D-4D

The new, Euro 6 compliant 2.0 litre D-4D engine shares the low fuel consumption and emissions efficiency of its 1.6 litre sister unit, but has been tuned to offer drivers a stronger focus on performance.

Developing a maximum 143 DIN hp/105 kW at 4000 rpm and a generous 320 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm, the new 2.0 litre engine's linear torque build-up and willingness to rev gives the new Avensis particularly strong in-gear responsiveness and acceleration. It will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 secondsand has a top speed of 200 km/h.

Numerous developments such as a new timing chain ensure the engine runs particularly quietly at all speeds, whilst Toyota's Stop and Start technology coupled with a tall 6th gear for motorway cruising enable the new 2.0 D-4D to return an average fuel consumption of just 4.5 l/100 km* and generate CO₂ emissions of only 119 g/km*.

Petrol Engines

Fuel economy and CO₂-enhancing improvements have also been made to the existing 132 hp/97 kW 1.6, 147 hp/108 kW 1.8 and 152 hp/112 kW 2.0 litre petrol engine line-up.

Reductions in fuel consumption have been achieved through higher compression ratios, the optimisation of injection angles and timing, the adoption of Teflon and resin coatings, the use of low friction materials and auto-tensioning of the accessory belt.

A further 4% reduction in fuel consumption has been achieved through extensive revisions to the 1.8 and 2.0 litre petrol engines' CVT transmissions, which feature a newly developed torque converter, continuously variable unit, oil pump, reduction and differential gears, hydraulic control unit, and CVT fluid and fluid warmer.

The CVT control logic has also been revised to reduce engine revving at medium throttle settings, more closely matching engine speed to throttle inputs in the manner of a conventional automatic transmission.

These improvements lower fuel consumption across the petrol engine range. Average fuel consumption for the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre units falls by 6.5 l/100 km to 6.1 l/100 km*, 6.5 l/100 km to 6.0 l/100 km* and 6.9 l/100 km to 6.1 l/100 km* respectively.

CO₂ emissions have simultaneously been reduced across the petrol engine range. 1.6 litre unit emissions fall by 8 /g/km to 142 g/km*, those of the 1.8 litre engine have been reduced by 14 g/km to 139 g/km*, and those of the 2.0 litre unit by 19 g/km to 142 g/km*.

Improved Driving Dynamics

The new, 2015 Avensis retains the same, proven, front McPherson strut and rear double wishbone suspension layout of its predecessor.However, both front and rear suspension systems feature significant improvements to enhance both ride comfort and handling performance.

The front suspension benefits from a new strut bearing and upper support, a spring rate reduction, a spring side-load compensation increase, damper force tuning and, in the case of diesel engined models, spring set load tuning.

The rear suspension also features a spring rate reduction, damper force reduction and spring set load tuning for diesel variants, whilst a new piston valve design offers a perceptible increase in ride comfort.

Steering feel and responsiveness has been improved by the adoption of a new intermediate shaft, a stabiliser bar diameter change, and an increase in bodyshell rigidity through the use of a high-strength urethane to bond the windscreen.

SAFETY

In anticipation of a 5-star rating from the Euro NCAP crash test programme, the new Avensis takes active safety and driver assistance to new levels with the Toyota Safety Sense system (fully described in the Toyota Safety Sense chapter), fitted as standard across the entire model range.

Processing information provided by a compact, windscreen head-mounted unit housing both a laser and a camera, Toyota Safety Sense offers customers a Pre-collision Safety system incorporating a Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, a Lane Departure Alert system, Auto High Beam and Road Sign Assist.

*Subject to final homologation