We’ll concentrate on the engine for the rest of the Avensis plays it fairly straight down the line in engineering terms. Like its new Oriental rival from Honda, Toyota’s new diesel uses a 2.2-litre capacity with all the usual refinements such as twin overhead camshafts, 16 valves and direct injection. Power amounts to 146bhp at a conspicuously low 3600rpm and is backed by 228lb ft of torque at 2000rpm. But while this gives it more power than the 138bhp Honda, its rival has significantly more torque – some 250lb ft at the same engine speed. Neither can match the 155bhp and 266lb ft boasted by the 2.2-litre TDCi Ford puts in the Mondeo.
Still, Toyota wasn’t going for outright power with this engine – there’s a 175bhp version coming later this year that’ll take care of that. The brief for this engine was good performance, economy and emissions and, above all, refinement, hence it’s notably low 16.8:1 compression ratio.
This new engine also comes with a new six speed gearbox as standard as well as beefed up front suspension to handle its extra weight and give it a slightly sharper feel in the corners.
Otherwise the Avensis follows the class formbook with strut-type front suspension and a multi-link rear end.
