Three's company in Toyota world

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Toyota New Zealand aims to strengthen its dominance of the 2003 new-vehicle market going into the final quarter with three new models - a four-wheel-drive, station wagon and exciting hybrid.

It launched the hybrid Prius in Wellington last Thursday and will unveil the 4WD Highlander and load-carrying Avensis in Palmerston North and Napier today.

Two Highlander variants are expected - five- and seven-seaters - powered by a 3.3-litre V6 engine producing 172kW at 5600rpm and 328Nm of torque at 3600rpm and mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. But a low-range transfer case is not part of the package.

The Highlander's drivetrain is similar to that of the Lexus RX330, upon which it is based.

It uses viscous-coupled centre and rear limited-slip differentials and electronic stability and traction control system to handle off-road conditions.

The base model Highlander is expected to be priced between $50,000-$55,000 and the premium model about $10,000 more again.

Interior design is quite versatile, including a 60/40 split second-row seat with 120mm of sliding fore-aft adjustment. Access to the third row of seats is by a one-touch tilt and slide walk-in function. The Japanese-built Highlander has been available in the United States and Japan since 2001.

The New Zealand model is a mid-life update, made available to compete in a growing mainstream market for "crossover" vehicles.

The Avensis station wagon is the first Toyota to be imported from Britain. It is aimed partly at filling the void left in the late 1990s by the disappearance of the Corona wagon.

Three versions will be available, starting in price from the early 30Ks, and equipped with a choice of 1.8- and 2-litre engines mated to five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearboxes.

The Avensis sedan, which Toyota is unlikely to import, was the first car to be awarded five stars under the new Euro-NCAP crash-test rules.

Demand for the cleaner-burning petrol/electric Prius in bigger markets overseas means that Toyota will have only 20 new models until early next year.

The hybrid system consists of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor/generator mated to an automatic gearbox. The car can run on either its engine, its electric motor, or a combination of both.

At low speeds it uses its electric motor, like a golf cart. At traffic lights, for example, the engine automatically cuts out and restarts when the driver presses the accelerator to move off. Under load, or at faster speeds, the engine takes over. The system recharges itself during the drive.

Exhaust emissions are about 90 per cent less than those from a similarly sized car powered by a conventional petrol engine.