Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, has further extended its line-up of Toyota vehicles with the addition of Toyota Avanza, an affordable high occupancy small Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
Introduced for the very first time in the UAE, the new 7-seat Avanza, is one of the most popular Toyota MPVs globally, due to its exceptional versatility, practicality, excellent loading capacity and great drivability.
“Budget-conscious families of seven or less, who had never before had the chance to own a large yet affordable vehicle, will now be able to enjoy spacious, flexible and reliable transportation within their budget. Offering a seat belt to every passenger, we believe this car is a great contribution to families’ safety on the roads” said Jon Williams, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors at the launch event.
He added: “Thanks to its exceptional pricing, the new Avanza offers our retail and business customers wanting to upgrade from a small sedan, a unique proposition that no other MPV can compete against, not even our own. In 2013, the UAE’s MPV sector recorded a growth of 28% which is an indication of a growing economy with a population in need for a smart and affordable mobility solution” Williams concluded.
Building on Toyota’s quality, durability and reliability, the new Avanza is a great demonstration of Toyota’s ability to seat seven passengers comfortably, in a compact body that is easy to manoeuvre on busy city streets.
Versatile and spacious interior with a compact body
Keeping in mind the evolving needs and tastes of customers, the Avanza is designed with an SUV/MPV crossover-like styling that represents practicality and safety, while expressing a sense of dynamism.
At 4.14m long and 1.66m wide, Avanza’s external dimensions open into a spacious cabin on the inside with ample room for 7 passengers and cargo capacity of 900L even when the third row is in use.
Unique to Avanza is the variety of seating configurations which ensure utmost comfort and storage space. The occupants are able to enjoy flexible luggage space thanks to the 50:50 split folding of the second and third row seats.
With leg room of 982mm when in the upright position, the second-row seats offer additional ample leg room by sliding 60mm backwards.
The 1047 mm wide third-row seats offer an effective leg room of 799mm with seatbacks that embody a curved-in design to ensure sufficient knee space and comfort for adult passengers. All seats are easily folded thanks to the one-touch tumble feature.
As for the driver, the Avanza provides an optimal driving position thanks to the adjustable steering column, leg room of 1013mm and a seat sliding range of 240mm.
While space is a key feature of this car, the new Avanza offers an interior that blends style with a sense of quality.
The highly functional instrument panel embraces a modern texture and features USB/AUX ports along with a 12V accessory socket. For added convenience, the Avanza comes with Bluetooth connectivity and parking sensors, two features that are particularly suitable for this car.
Great drivability, easy manoeuvrability and smooth ride comfort
Powered by an inline four cylinder 1.5 L engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent), the new Avanza churns out an output of 102 bhp and a maximum torque of 13.9kg-m at 400 rpm.
It is engineered to be easily driven in narrow streets and tight parking lots. Thanks to the front engine rear-wheel drive platform, the car realizes a minimum turning radius of 4.7m which contributes to its excellent maneuverability.
The car has also been designed with a ground clearance of 20cms, which along with the intelligently engineered suspension settings, makes it more comfortable to be driven over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces.
For highway driving where speed normally exceeds 100km/h, and changing lanes is often required, elements such as tyres, suspension and steering have been tuned to provide greater stability at high speeds.
To achieve a quiet cabin ride, a number of noise and vibration measures have been implemented, with sound-absorbing and insulating materials applied at different locations on the vehicle’s body.
The designers have taken into account the weather conditions in the GCC as well as the large number of passengers for this car. They have conveniently placed AC vents above the second row seats, in addition to an extensive number of cup and bottle holders, ideal for long family trips.
Excellent fuel efficiency
To minimise fuel consumption, the Avanza’s lightweight body, its aerodynamics, acceleration and braking performance have all been optimized. The engineers have also fitted the vehicle with low rolling resistance tyres and EPS (Electric Power Steering) and adopted an efficient air conditioning system.
Active and passive safety features as standards
As for safety, the new Avanza like all other Toyota vehicles offers active and passive safety features as standard, to guarantee a high level of driver and passenger security. These include driver and front-passenger airbags (SRS) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), particularly important for this type of high occupancy vehicle, has also been adopted in addition to an overall impact absorbing body structure and high strength body frame.
Colours and pricing
The highly practical new 1.5L engine Avanza is available in six body colours: Silver, Gray, Dark Steel, Light Blue, Beige Metallic and White.
The new Avanza SE is offered at an affordable price of AED 54,900 at Al-Futtaim Motors, Toyota showrooms across the UAE starting 26 June 2014.