Toyota unveils the new Urban Cruiser - Limerick Independent News

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Toyota unveils the new Urban Cruiser

Written by Staff Reporter

Wednesday, 15 October 2008

TOYOTA’S new Urban Cruiser unveiled at the recent Paris Motor Show is claimed to be designed to meet a growing demand for vehicles that are cut out for life on urban roads, yet are equally at home off the beaten track.
This new model is compact for easy town driving and parking.
The Urban Cruiser is expected to go on sale in Ireland 2009 in two versions: a 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol model with two-wheel drive and a 1.4 D-4D diesel with all-wheel drive.
A key element Urban Cruiser’s interior design is a unique radar screen-style instrument design. The concentric dial features both the speedometer and tachometer needles within the same circle. Combining the meters in this way allows more room on either side of the console for easy-to-read indicators, such as the drive monitor and shift indicator lamp.
A further innovation is the silver centre cluster, with a series of curves that make it appear to float above the centre console. The cockpit has a silver-accented sporty design that is carried through to the design of the seats.
Although Urban Cruiser is compact at 3,930mm long and 1,725mm wide, it has generous interior space. Toyota claims that there is plenty of room inside for five passengers, with ample luggage space. Side-by-side shoulder room is generous and the front-to-rear seat spacing means there is comfortable leg room for those sitting in the back. A long, 2,460mm wheelbase and short overhangs allow interior space to be maximised. Cargo capacity is a class-leading 314 litres, extending to 749 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Urban Cruiser has a rugged appearance, but is compact and has all the practicality of a modern five-door car. Overall height is low at 1,540mm, but a high hip-point gives a commanding driving position. The rear seats can be split-folded 60:40. Those on the 2WD version have an Easy Flat seating system, with easy slide, recline and fold mechanism, similar to that on the Toyota RAV4, while the AWD model has reclining rear seats with a double fold-down feature.
The front-end styling creates a tough, sporty look. The short body and wide track (1,485mm front, 1,490mm rear) give a robust stance, accentuated by large, 16-inch wheels. Strength and security are further expressed in strong character lines along the side and powerful wheel arch styling. From the rear, the low profile body is wide and stable and features a wide-visibility window that wraps around to the sides of the vehicle.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser benefits from the latest application of the Toyota Optimal Drive philosophy and will be launched with a choice of two fuel efficient engines: a re-engineered 1.4-litre D-4D diesel and a new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine with a Stop & Start system. Both use a new six-speed manual transmission design to give class-leading fuel efficiency.
The 1.4 D-4D is fitted as standard with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and all-wheel drive. The engine produces a maximum 89bhp with maximum torque of 205Nm available between 1,800 and 2,800rpm. Carbon dioxide emissions (provisional and subject to final homologation) are 133g/km, which Toyota claim is a new world low for this type of car.
A new and efficient 1.3 Dual VVT-i petrol unit is also available, exclusively with 2WD. Toyota claims that Dual VVT-i helps achieve an optimum balance of power and torque with excellent fuel efficiency. The engine has a small bore/long stroke design with a narrow block, helping reduce weight and space. Maximum output is 99bhp and maximum torque of 132Nm is produced at 3,800rpm.
Urban Cruiser marks the introduction of Toyota’s new Stop & Start system, provided as standard on the 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine. This improves fuel efficiency and emissions performance by switching off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, in neutral and the driver takes his or her foot off the clutch pedal.
Applying the clutch to select a gear again automatically restarts the engine. This is done momentarily with no delay in power transmission and very quietly making it almost unnoticeable to the driver or passengers. Carbon dioxide emissions (provisional and subject to final homologation) are 130g/km.
Urban Cruiser is provided with comprehensive active and passive safety technology. The body structure has excellent impact energy absorption and distribution from the front, sides and rear thanks to Toyota’s Minimal Intrusion Cabin System.
The bonnet and bumper construction have an energy-absorbing structure that helps improve pedestrian protection. Class leading seven airbags, including curtain shields and a driver’s knee airbag, are fitted as standard and active head restraints reduce the risk of whiplash injury.
Active safety features include ABS with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC) is also standard.

Caption: The new Toyota Urban Cruiser will be an economical and clean 4x4 option with efficient 1.4 litre turbo-diesel power.

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