2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser

Press release

Demand for fuel-efficient urban vehicles, that are just as at home on winding mountain roads as they are in the city, is growing strongly. However, Europe’s urban customers are very demanding too. They want individual looks; they want cars that do not take up too much space in the city. And, ever increasingly, they want cars with a small carbon footprint.

The scene is therefore set for a new kind of urban allroader, and the timing perfect for the world premiere of the new Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.4 D-4D All Wheel Drive at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Since the preview of its breakthrough design at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the Urban Cruiser production model has been eagerly awaited.

Its compact but rugged looks make it the perfect new challenger in the urban all-roader market. As the Urban Cruiser Chief Engineer, Kosuke Shibahara, explains, “With class-leading low emissions, the Urban Cruiser provides an ideal solution to the growing customer demand for flexible, yet socially responsible vehicles. The Urban Cruiser represents a new form of recreation vehicle with its distinctive personality and responsible All Wheel Drive performance. With many countries starting to introduce CO2 based taxation on vehicles, there’s never been a better time to launch an urban car that’s enjoyable to drive, both in and out of the city, yet with exceptionally low CO2 emissions”.

The Urban Cruiser will go on sale in May 2009. Full year sales objectives are forecasted above 30,000 units with an All Wheel Drive mix of approximately 50%.

Rugged good looks in a compact package

On view in Paris for the first time, the interior of the Urban Cruiser is quite unlike any B-segment vehicle on the road today.

Designed by ED2 – Toyota’s advanced design studio in the South of France – the interior concept captivates all the senses, with a heady mix of sophisticated materials and innovative packaging.

Sitting in the driving seat, the eye is drawn instantly to a unique radar-style instrument design. Directly centred in front of the driver, the Toyota-designed concentric dial features both speedometer and tachometer needles within the same circle. This allows the strength and size of the instrument console to dominate the display, with more room on either side for easy-to-read indicators, such as drive monitor and gear shift indicator lamp.

The ‘floating’ silver centre cluster is another innovative design feature. Its gentle cascading curves make it appear to float above the centre console, while ergonomically housing a range of functions and displays.

The seat design underscores the silver-accented sporty design of the cockpit. Attention to design detail is apparent throughout the interior, highlighting its sophisticated feel by the quality of each material surface.

Despite its compact overall length of 3,930 mm, Urban Cruiser’s clever packaging ensures a large amount of interior space – plenty for five passengers and ample luggage space. Side by side shoulder room is also generous, while the car’s front-to-rear occupant spacing gives ample legroom to rear seat passengers. A long 2,460 mm wheelbase and short overhangs helps maximise overall interior space, giving class-leading cargo capacity of 314 litres or 749 litres with rear seats folded down.

The new Urban Cruiser is designed to appeal to the city driver. It presents a rugged, muscular appearance – yet has the contemporary five-door practicality and compact size of an urban car. Even though it displays a strong, athletic presence, it is less than 4 metres in length and only 1,725 mm wide. Overall height is low at just 1,540 mm, yet a high ‘hip-point’ enables a commanding driving position.

From the front, the large upper grille and black underguard create a tough, sporty image. Headlamps reach around and outwards into the wings, emphasising the dynamic, highly individual styling. The short body is juxtaposed by a robust stance, with a wide tread (1,485 mm front, 1,490 mm rear) accentuated by large 16” diameter wheels. Sharp character lines to the side
and powerful wheel arch styling reinforce the image of strength and security.

From the rear, the low-profile body is wide and stable with an expansive, high-visibility window that wraps round to the side. Large rear lamp clusters also extend dramatically around into the wings, and back into the rear hatchback. Rounding off the design, a rear spoiler enhances the car’s impressive aerodynamic characteristics.

The Urban Cruiser is the perfect answer to modern versatile driving. It’s at home in the city, eating up the kilometres on motorways or winding mountain roads or, in the case of the AWD version, in snowy, rainy or muddy conditions.

The car’s practical packaging and interior space allows a wide range of usage and cargo flexibility. Rear seats with a 60:40 split fold down to create flexible load space. The 2WD model is equipped with sliding, reclining and fold-down mechanisms similar to the RAV4 seating system. The AWD model has reclining seats and the double fold down system.

‘Toyota Optimal Drive’ philosophy applied

The Urban Cruiser is the latest application of the ‘Toyota Optimal Drive’ philosophy. It will be launched with a choice of two extremely fuel efficient and clean engines: a re-engineered 1.4-litre D-4D engine and a brand new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine with Stop & Start system. Both drive a new 6-speed manual transmission that delivers an optimum combination of
driving pleasure and class-leading fuel efficiency.

The 1.4 D-4D comes with a standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and is available with either an All Wheel Drive (AWD) or with a 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) drive train. It delivers 90 DIN hp for both the AWD and 2WD versions, with maximum torque of 205 Nm at between 1,800 and 2,800 rpm. CO2 emissions are low, at 120 g/km* for the 1.4 D-4D 2WD while the 1.4 D-4D AWD delivers 133 g/km*, a world first for this type of car.

A brand new and ultra-efficient 1.33 Dual VVT-i petrol unit is also available on the 2 Wheel Drive Urban Cruiser. Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligence) helps to deliver an optimum balance of power and torque combined with excellent fuel efficiency. The engine features a small bore and long stroke design with narrow block, helping to reduce space and weight. The piston has reduced contact area for lower friction and the engine has the highest compression ratio of all vehicles running on 95 ron fuel. The maximum power output is 100 DIN hp and the maximum torque is 132 Nm at 3800 rpm.

Toyota introduces a new Stop & Start system with the launch of the Urban Cruiser, further enhancing its top-class environmental performance. This advanced Stop & Start system comes standard with the 1.33 Dual VVT-i petrol unit. It improves fuel efficiency and emissions performance by switching off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, in neutral and the driver’s foot is released from the clutch pedal. Applying the clutch to select gear again automatically restarts the engine. This is done momentarily and without any delay in power transmission and is nearly unnoticeable to the driver or passengers. The 1.33 Dual VVT-i petrol engine with Stop & Start system has a CO2 emissions level of just 130g/km.

A new 6-speed manual transmission has been developed to achieve the best balance of environmental performance and power output. Thanks to its improved ‘shift feel’, smooth gear changes enhance driver satisfaction.

The AWD Urban Cruiser comes with the same Active Torque Control 4WD system as the Toyota RAV4. Active Torque Control optimises traction as well as fuel efficiency by managing torque distribution to the rear wheels. When driving in normal road conditions the Urban Cruiser is only driven by its front wheels, meaning the fuel efficiency can be kept to a comparably
low level. But when road conditions require, the Active Torque Control 4WD system instantly distributes power to the rear wheels and considerably improves stability when cornering or on slippery surfaces.

A front McPherson strut and rear Torsion beam suspension provides dynamic handling performance yet with a high degree of ride comfort. The Urban Cruiser’s suspension has been further tuned to perfectly match European driving conditions, following exhaustive driving trials in Europe’s cities, mountain roads and motorways.

Top class linear driving performance and secure handling stability are delivered through a combination of the compact body, large diameter wheels and high performance electric power steering.

Unequalled safety performance

Urban Cruiser is provided with a comprehensive system of active and passive safety technology that’s unequalled within the B-segment.

The body structure of the Urban Cruiser has excellent impact energy absorption and distribution from front, side and rear. This is all part of Toyota’s Minimal Intrusion Cabin System. Bonnet and bumper construction also optimises pedestrian protection, making the impact as low as possible by means of an energy absorbing structure. No fewer than seven airbags,
including curtain shields and driver’s knee airbag fitted strategically to reduce injury in a collision. Active headrests help to protect driver and front passenger by reducing the risk of whiplash injuries, should an accident occur.

Active safety features include ABS as standard with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) for maximum effectiveness and stability in an emergency braking situation.

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) including Traction Control (TRC) is also standard. VSC actively helps the driver maintain control in critical, or potentially dangerous situations. Using sensors to determine road conditions and driver intention, VSC reacts to sudden handling changes or slippery roads to correct understeer or oversteer.

The Urban Cruiser has been engineered to reach a safety level equivalent to Euro NCAP 5-star rating.

Stylishly equipped for urban mobility

The Urban Cruiser will be available in three different grade levels. The car offers aspirational features such as air-conditioning, 16” alloy wheels and a 6-speaker audio system – controlled from the leather steering wheel. Throughout the range, a high level of equipment and top quality surface finishes reflect the concept of sophisticated urban quality.

The entry grade model features front electric windows and 16-inch steel wheels. The radio/CD system is MP3-compatible with 6 speakers. Upgrade options include manual air-conditioning.

The mid grade features a leather steering wheel, leather gearshift and front and rear electric windows. The audio system has integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calls. Manual air-conditioning is standard, while the automatic air-conditioning is an optional upgrade, as is the navigation system. Exterior features include 16” alloy wheels and front fog lamps.

Top of the range, the high grade features standard up-market features such as automatic air-conditioning, smart entry, push start button, electrochromatic (autodimming) rear-view mirror, electrical retractable door mirrors and a touch screen navigation system. Optional full leather seats and central console box with armrest lid are available. High gloss 16-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass complete the high grade exterior.