Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Toyota has unveiled the Urban Cruiser, Europe's version of the 4WD Japanese-market ist. The same car, with a slightly different face and FWD, is sold here in the US as the Scion xD. The 5-passenger hatch slots neatly below the upwardly mobile RAV4, and Toyota hopes its compact dimensions prove to be a hit with European car buyers. No drivetrain specifics have been released except to say that 4WD will be available. The JDM ist can be had with 1.5L and 1.8L gasoline engines, so you can begin your guessing game there. Given that this is Europe's version, perhaps a small diesel could be in the cards as well -- we'll just have to wait and see what Toyota comes up with. Whatever finds its way behind the car's bulldog face is expected to emit under 140 g/km of CO2. And speaking of that face, we wish it was also on the US-market Scion -- the Toyota's simply the better-looking car of the two. Look for the Urban Cruiser to hit the market in in 2009, with additional details likely to surface closer to launch.
Toyota has unveiled the Urban Cruiser, Europe's version of the 4WD Japanese-market ist. The same car, with a slightly different face and FWD, is sold here in the US as the Scion xD. The 5-passenger hatch slots neatly below the upwardly mobile RAV4, and Toyota hopes its compact dimensions prove to be a hit with European car buyers. No drivetrain specifics have been released except to say that 4WD will be available. The JDM ist can be had with 1.5L and 1.8L gasoline engines, so you can begin your guessing game there. Given that this is Europe's version, perhaps a small diesel could be in the cards as well -- we'll just have to wait and see what Toyota comes up with. Whatever finds its way behind the car's bulldog face is expected to emit under 140 g/km of CO2. And speaking of that face, we wish it was also on the US-market Scion -- the Toyota's simply the better-looking car of the two. Look for the Urban Cruiser to hit the market in in 2009, with additional details likely to surface closer to launch.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
TOYOTA UNVEILS URBAN CRUISER Aspirational small SUV revealed at Geneva motor show
KEY POINTS
- Stylish new five-door compact SUV for the urban all-roader market
- Builds on a distinguished Toyota 4x4 heritage
- Room for five inside, plus generous luggage space
- Bold, muscular styling
- Strong fuel economy and expected CO2 emissions below 140g/km
- On sale in the UK in the first half of 2009
The new model is aimed firmly at the urban all-road market, where European sales have almost doubled since 2002. Scheduled to go on sale in the UK during the first half of 2009, it responds to customer demand for stylish SUVs with lower fuel bills and CO2 emissions: Urban Cruiser is expected to come in below the 140g/km emissions benchmark.
Urban Cruiser draws on Toyota's rich history of SUVs, which began in 1951 with the launch of the legendary Land Cruiser and went on to feature the landmark RAV4 in 1994 – the model which created the European compact SUV market.
The new Urban Cruiser is designed as an aspirational urban SUV that is very close in spirit to the discontinued three-door RAV4 with its compact dimensions, clever packaging, practicality and four-wheel drive transmission.
Muscular Styling Urban Cruiser has the rugged, muscular appearance expected of an SUV, but with five-door practicality and compact dimensions that make it suitable for driving around town. It measures 3,930mm long, 1,725mm wide and 1,540 tall, with spacious accommodation for five inside, plus ample luggage space.
A high belt line, additional bumper protection, prominent lower door sills and pronounced wheel arches give the vehicle a robust appearance. The headlamps flow back from the front grille, out towards the wings, further accentuating the car's wide and tough road stance.
Turn indicators are recessed into the door mirrors and the rear lamp units extend into the rear wings and tailgate. The show car is fitted with five- spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and a special Ice Blue paint finish.
Urban Cruiser will play a significant role in cutting the overall emissions of Toyota's model range to an average 140g/km by 2009.
[Source: Toyota]
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