Toyota Noah / Voxy: Valvematic for the people (movers)

One of Toyota's first applications of its new Valvematic engine is in the newly-redesigned 7-passenger Noah MPV and its slightly differently-visaged (and equally blocky) stablemate, the Voxy. Neither one will win a beauty contest anytime soon, but tastes are demonstrably different in Japan, so we'll reserve further commentary on the aesthetics and leave the rest to you readers. This isn't so much about the car itself as what's under its hood, anyway.

The story here is the 2.0L 3ZR-FAE inline four with Valvematic that can be fitted behind the Noah/Voxy's stern-looking face. The specifics are as follows:

• 1,986cc DOHC I4
  
• 158 PS (155 HP) at 6,200 rpm
• 144 lb-ft of torque 4,400 rpm
• 33 mpg
• 164 g/km of CO² emissions

Compared to Toyota's previous topline 2-liter 4-cylinder, the 3ZR-FAE with Valvematic is more powerful by eleven horses. As previously reported, the Valvematic tech should be applied to Toyota's full range of engines by 2010.

[Source: Paul Tan]