New Toyota Avanza Launched In Malaysia – New Dual VVT-i Engine, From RM69k

The seven-seater Toyota Avanza has been given a mid-life update and it now comes with a choice of two new Dual VVT-i engine – 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol, both from the NR engine family.

On-the-road prices with insurance are as below:

• Avanza 1.5S Automatic – RM 80,810
• Avanza 1.5G Automatic – RM 78,477
• Avanza 1.5E Automatic- RM 75,787
• Avanza 1.3E Manual – RM69,072

As before, the seven-seater Avanza is imported from Daihatsu’s plant in Indonesia, but compared to the Indonesian-market Avanza, ours get a different front bumper (different housing for the front fog lamps) and a different tailgate.

Toyota says the new NR-series Dual VVT-i engines, which are equipped with variable valve timing feature on both intake and exhaust valves, are 5 to 15 percent percent more economical (depending on road conditions and driving habits) than the previous VVT-i (intake valve only) engine.

Noise and vibration from the engine is also claimed to be lower than before, thanks to increased use of sound-dampening materials.

Power output has also been increased slightly. The 1.5-litre model now makes 2PS more power at the same engine speed, to 105 P at 6,000 rpm. Torque remains the same, at 136 Nm but it is achieved 200 rpm earlier, at 4,200 rpm.

The smaller 1.3-litre unit unit produces 6 PS more – 97 PS at 6,000 rpm while torque is up by 4 Nm and is achieved 200 rpm lower, totalling 121 Nm at 4,200 rpm.

The 1.5-litre model is only available with a 4-speed automatic transmission while the 1.3-litre model is only available with a 5-speed manual.

Standard safety features on all variants include ABS and EBD, dual front airbags, and ISOFIX for the second row seas.