INDUSTRY NEWS
ALL-NEW KLUGER LANDING IN TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS
Toyota’s all-new Kluger large SUV has arrived in Australia sporting a stylish sculpted look, significantly improved safety features, and for the first time here, a hybrid powertrain. Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice-president Sean Hanley says the addition of hybrid to Kluger further demonstrated Toyota’s commitment to delivering on electrified options in its line-up.
“Kluger is now the eighth Toyota model in Australia that offers a fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain and as our sales success proves, it is still currently the leading option for sustainable transport,” Hanley says. The all-new model is available in three trim levels – GX, GXL and Grande – in petrol 2WD guise or hybrid or petrol AWD configuration. The new hybrid system combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine with three electric motors that generate a maximum combined output of 184kW that drives through an electric e-Four AWD system. At the same time, it delivers a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.6l/100km with combined CO2 emissions of 128g/km. Driving through an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), the e-Four AWD system allows up to 100% of drive to be sent through the front wheels or up to 80% through the rear, depending on conditions, with a Trail mode for more challenging off-road environments. The 218kW/350Nm V6 petrol engine maintains the same
maximum outputs as its predecessor but further refinement has improved fuel economy by between 4 and 7 per cent. That same level of refinement is echoed in the cabin with soft touch materials, clever design and its increased space and versatility comfortably accommodating seven occupants. The new Kluger features the latest in Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features including pre collision safety system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, emergency steering assist and intersection turn assist on every model. Added to this are active cruise control – with curve speed reduction function – lane trace assist, blind spot monitor, reversing camera and seven airbags, creating a very comprehensive safety package. Standard equipment includes smart entry and start, manual front and rear dual-zone air conditioning, rain sensing wipers and automatic lights, and five USB ports. The GXL models gain power heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, power tailgate and satellite navigation for the latest generation multimedia system. The top-of-the-range Kluger Grande adds a panoramic moonroof, hands-free opening for the power tailgate, ventilation for the front seats, head-up display, a panoramic view monitor, leather-accented seats and a premium 11-speaker JBL audio system. The Kluger is covered by Toyota Warranty Advantage, which offers 5 year unlimited kilometre coverage extending to sevenyears on engine and driveline, with capped-price servicing for the first five years/75,000km and each 12-month/15,000km service costing $250. Source: autotalk.com.au
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