Clean sweep for new Toyota; HER VIEW:

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 29, 2007

TOYOTA has pulled out the stops to deliver extra oomph, smarter looks, better handling and better-value-for-money for its latest Avensis.

More importantly, the 2007 model makeover brings with it two new clean diesel engines, a twolitre and a 2.2-litre, as in the test car, which is one of the car's best features.

It badly needed the clean and smooth-running diesel units for its European flagship model which had been struggling in a hugely competitive market sector.

Now, armed with the two hitech diesel units, the future looks good for Toyota.

This 177bhp D4D T180 car, the top of the range, showed plenty of low and mid-range muscle and its 0-62mph sprint in 8.6 seconds is testament to its fairly swift acceleration.

The engine's clean performance comes through Toyota's DCat (diesel - clean advanced technology). The system includes a four-way catalyst that continuously reduces nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions. As well as being very efficient, it needs no maintenance .

The Avensis grips tenaciously and handles neatly through corners with little hint of lurching.

Even on tight, snaking routes around Snowdonia and Derbyshire, the Avensis feels well-balanced and shrugs off any suggestion of see-sawing despite a string of 'S' bends. They are the kind of rally routes which could easily trigger car sickness in a less stable vehicle but the Toyota remained composed and unruffled. The firm chassis feels exactly that - firm, though not to any excessive degree and for one who prefers a more Germanic suspension, it wasn't an issue.

In town, the car is reasonably smooth and comfortable. It only chunters over rough patches.

The car achieves a top speed of 137mph while returning a credible, average fuel return of around 46mpg and the diesel overtures are well-muted, though some road noise filters through to the cabin as the car accelerates to top motorway speeds. The Toyota's cabin is well cocooned against wind intrusion except in gusty cross-winds.

The 2007 Avensis sports a new front grille, a revised front air dam and headlamp design, as well as new-look rear light clusters.

These cosmetic tweakings provide a neater, more modern profile. Not exactly eye-swivelling, but certainly attractive.

In addition, the door mirrors now have built-in indicators and there have been a number of cosmetic improvements which have smartened up the interior. There's silver stitching for the leather steering wheel and the seats are cloaked in leather and Alcantara. There are further metallic look adornments, including the satin centre console.

The T180 was fitted with cruise control, dusk-sensing lights and height adjustment for front seats and has a six-disc CD auto changer.

Facts and figures

Make: Toyota

Model: Avensis T180 5dr

Price: pounds 21,595

Mechanical: 177bhp, 2,231cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 137mph

0-62mph: 8.6 secs

Combined mpg: 46.3

Insurance group: 12

CO2 emissions: 161g/km

BiK rating: 22%

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles, 3 years paint, 12 years antirust

CAPTION(S):

CLEAN DIESEL - the new - look Toyota Avensis is looking great