Toyota rolls out cleaner Avanza line
Toyota rolls out cleaner Avanza line
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post
novan@thejakartapost.com
In response to market demand, Japanese carmaker PT Toyota-Astra
Motor has launched the latest model in its popular compact
multipurpose vehicle range, the Toyota Avanza, equipped with a
cleaner engine and better safety features.
The Avanza 1.3S is powered by 16-valve, double overhead
camshaft 1,300 cc engine using variable valve timing-intelligence
(VVT-i) technology in compliance with the Euro 2 emission
standard.
The new edition also comes with anti-lock braking systems and
automatic transmission while its two predecessors, Toyota's
Avanza 1.3E and 1.3G, used five-speed manual transmission.
The engine unleashes slightly more power and torque than the
old one, of 89 horsepower (hp) and 117 Newton meter (Nm) compared
to 86 hp and 114 Nm. The 1.3S also uses a catalytic converter
requiring unleaded fuel.
"The new Toyota Avanza 1.3S is PT TAM's attempt to respond to
market demand. It comes with several new features making it more
powerful and stylish," company president director Johnny Darmawan
said.
Outside the 1.3S is dressed in green laminated windshield
glass and a rear window defogger to improve driving comfort.
Launched in December, the Avanza multipurpose vehicle (MPV) is
selling like hotcakes here, with eager customers having to wait
for months before their orders are delivered.
Together with its twin, the Daihatsu Xenia, the Avanza is the
under Rp 100 million-priced MPV, which caters for the needs of
the middle to lower end of the market.
The provision of a cleaner engine and an ABS system, however,
have caused the price of the Avanza 1.3S to rise to Rp 121
million (about US$13,038), well above the Avanza 1.3E at Rp 89.5
million, and Rp 99.5 million for the Avanza 1.3G.
Toyota-Astra has also added a black mica scheme to its color
range of champagne metallic, dark blue mica, dark green mica, red
mica and silver metallic.
While Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia may be grabbing the
market share of the older Toyota Kijang and Daihatsu Taruna, the
real challenge is expected from Suzuki's APV, which also sells
for under Rp 100 million.