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.