Toyota’s biggest reveal at Auto Africa was reserved for the Avanza – the Prospecton-based manufacturer’s first seven-seater MPV range priced beneath the R140 000-mark.
By Hailey Philander
Toyota’s biggest reveal at Auto Africa was reserved for the Avanza – the Prospecton-based manufacturer’s first seven-seater MPV range priced beneath the R140 000-mark.
The initial Avanza line-up comprises four models equipped with 1,3- or 1,5-litre powerplants. The 1,3-litre’s maximum power of 67 kW is available at 6 000 r/min, while its peak torque figure is 120 N.m at 4 400 r/min. With a displacement of 1,5 litres, the larger engine delivers 80 kW and 141 N.m at 6 000 and 4 400 r/min respectively.
Drive is to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, though it is imagined that a fair amount of gear shifting will be required to extract optimal performance from the MPV, particularly at the reef, with seven up…
The range is keenly priced though. The base Avanza 1,3 S costs R99 900, while the range-topping 1,5 TX sells for R139 700.
One showpiece that allows for public interaction is the life-size Toyota Racing F1 simulator, set up on its own stand using a specially built tarred track section for realistic racing.
The simulator uses a force feedback steering wheel, F1-style steering wheel with embedded buttons, and realistic paddle shift gear levers. And while the bodyshell is constructed from glass fibre, the front and rear suspension components, wings, and bargeboards are all constructed of carbon fibre.
Those who fancy themselves as South Africa’s next F1 hopefuls could be evaluated by a driver familiar with the race car in its ideal setting. Toyota F1’s third driver Ricardo Zonta will be at the simulator on the first public day. Ove Andersson, the founder of the Toyota F1 team, is another high-profile guest at the manufacturer’s stand.
