2.12.2011 New Toyota Avensis now available

The new British-built Avensis makes its entrance sporting Toyota's 2.0 litre D-4D engine with CO2 emissions reduced to 119 g/km and fuel economy raised to 61.4 mpg.

Along with new styling, extra equipment and improved ride comfort, the improved efficiency bring with it reduced running costs making it a likely attractive option for both private and business users.

The revised engine supplies the Avensis with ownership cost savings in several areas, including lower road tax, a more favourable company car Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rating and lower costs at the pumps. With new, longer service intervals factored into the cost equation for business motorists, new Avensis delivers a best-in-class pence-per-mile cost over three years/60,000 miles.

The 148 bhp Toyota Optimal Drive 2.0-litre D-4D engine has been well-established at the heart of the Avensis range for some time, but has been refined further to gain the new achievements.

Compared to the previous engine, combined cycle fuel economy has improved by 15%, from 53.3 to 61.4 mpg and a 14% reduction has been achieved in CO2 emissions, which fall from 139 to 119 g/km. Overall the engine is 3kg lighter, quieter and gives more linear torque.

Key changes include a new turbocharger with lower friction bearings and an electric actuator. Improvements in engine cooling and lubrication and the use of low rolling resistance tyres have helped cut the CO2 exhaust emissions, along with new glow plug control, changes to the diesel particulate filter and a new piston bowl shape that allows for improved combustion performance.

Thanks to the reduction in CO2 emissions, the new engine delivers a 17% Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rating, four points lower than the previous model. VED road tax has also been lowered to band C. These figures combine with a higher equipment specification, such as satellite navigation as standard and Toyota's advanced new Touch & Go system.

Toyota calculates that the cost of ownership of the new Avensis is cut by £2,000 over a three year/60,000 mile period. This takes into account residual values, fuel economy, CO2 emissions and service and maintenance costs, and is compared to the previous Avensis model. The new model is on sale now, priced from £18,450 on the road.

The below table shows how the Avensis performs compared to key competitors, in terms of cost:

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