Toyota released full details of The New Urban Cruiser

2009 TOYOTA Urban Cruiser

LISBON, Portugal : March 25, 2009 - The new Toyota Urban Cruiser offers customers a unique, urban all-road driving experience through the successful combination of three key attributes: Toyota’s proven expertise in rugged, all-road vehicle design, the comfort and versatility of a compact urban hatchback, and the class-leading fuel economy and CO₂ emissions of Toyota Optimal Drive technology.

The new Urban Cruiser’s robust, durable design incorporates Toyota’s Active Torque Control AWD system, the highest levels of occupant safety, and improved on-road traction, stability and agility in all weather conditions for enhanced driving enjoyment.

Despite its compact, urban-friendly dimensions, the Urban Cruiser benefits from state-of-the-art Toyota packaging knowhow, honed in cars such as the iQ and the Yaris. It offers all the 5-seat spaciousness, practicality, versatility and loadspace flexibility of ingenious compact cars, reflecting the increasingly diverse, active lifestyles of today’s highly discriminating B segment customers.

Recognising B segment customer demands for increasingly environmentally responsible vehicles, Toyota Optimal Drive combines numerous, innovative technological solutions to offer significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions without compromising the Urban Cruiser’s lively performance and engaging driving dynamics.

The Urban Cruiser will go on sale in Europe in May 2009. Full-year sales objectives target over 25,000 units, with All Wheel Drive vehicles accounting for 30% of the mix.

A distinctive new car in a diverse segment

The new Urban Cruiser has been designed for Europe’s highly competitive B segment market, recently fragmented into several sub-segments. These sub-segments have more than doubled in size since 2002. This growth has been driven by an increasingly diverse cross-section of customers seeking more distinctive vehicles to support a more active lifestyle.

Adventurous, active-lifestyle customer base

The Urban Cruiser is designed for an adventurous, active-lifestyle customer base. Dissatisfied with conventional B segment hatchbacks, these customers require a vehicle that expresses a greater sense of value and individuality. Typically, they are singles and couples in their 30s and 40s. Urban Cruiser customers will include a significant number of those who want to combine an active lifestyle with a high level of environmental awareness.

Distinctive design: rugged exterior, refined interior

The Urban Cruiser meets the needs of its target customers with a unique, stylish design that offers the rugged good looks of an all-roader within a compact, urban friendly package. The high quality interior combines all the 5-seat spaciousness, practicality, versatility and loadspace flexibility of a conventional hatchback with greater comfort and refinement than is usual in the B segment all-roader market.

Compact, urban-friendly dimensions

The compact dimensions of the Urban Cruiser -3930mm long, 1725mm wide and 1525mm tall (1540mm when equipped with AWD)- make it ideal for driving in city streets. However, despite this compact exterior, the Urban Cruiser’s long, 2460mm wheelbase provides spacious accommodation for five people and ample luggage space.

The Urban Cruiser delivers agile, stable and firmly balanced driving performance, which is further improved by the option of AWD on 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engined models. The appeal of the new urban all-roader is further enhanced by top-class active and passive safety.

Class-leading CO₂ emissions with no-compromise driving dynamics

Through the application of Toyota Optimal Drive technology, the Urban Cruiser meets a growing demand for socially responsible vehicles. Whilst Toyota’s new urban all-roader offers a marked reduction in fuel bills and responds to the pan-European introduction of CO₂-based vehicle taxation with exceptionally low CO₂ emissions within the 130g/km threshold, it still delivers a dynamic, enjoyable driving experience both in and out of the city.

The Urban Cruiser is available with a choice of two advanced and highly efficient new engines: a 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine with Stop & Start technology, and a 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine. The latter’s AWD powertrain generates CO₂ emissions of just 130g/km; the world’s lowest level for an all-wheel driven passenger car.

“While the overall length is less than four metres, the vehicle’s form emphasises a feeling of security and firmness. This is created by its unique wide stance, supported by projecting bumpers and large diameter tyres. The design projects a distinctive, innovative image the moment it is seen.” Kiyokatsu Miura, Urban Cruiser Chief Engineer

Rugged styling in the Toyota all-road tradition

The Urban Cruiser combines the rugged, muscular appearance of a Toyota all-roader with compact, urban-friendly dimensions and five-door practicality. The new urban all-roader’s striking looks meet demanding B segment customer desires for a car that stands out from the crowd. The high belt line, prominent lower doorsills and muscular wheel arches accentuate the Urban Cruiser’s robust, eye-catching stance. Emphasising the car’s all-roader credentials, underbody components including the front bumper underguard, side rocker panel mouldings and rear bumper underguard are blacked-out.

Further reinforcing this rugged appearance, the Urban Cruiser is also available with a body kit that encompasses the entire underbody. Instantly identifying the Urban Cruiser as a member of the Toyota family, frontal design elements such as the large horizontal bar integrated within the front grille, headlamps which flow back and outwards into the wings, and a deep, sculpted front bumper with integral foglamps all combine to accentuating the urban all roader’s broad, purposeful stance.

In profile, the Urban Cruiser’ rugged muscularity is further reinforced through the strength of prominent wheel arches, broad shoulder surfaces and deep door panels. Large, bodywork

coloured door mirrors ensure excellent rear visibility and are designed for optimum aerodynamic performance and low wind noise.

A low-profile rear window, powerfully sculpted bodywork and wide track with large tyres combine to accentuate the Urban Cruiser’s broad rear stance. Matching that of the front bumper, a blacked-out rear bumper underguard reinforces the vehicle’s urban all-road credentials.

Rear combination lamps, with integrated fog lamps, feature two-tone red and white outer lenses. A high-mount, LED stop lamp is integrated within the tailgate trim.

The Urban Cruiser is equipped with large, 16” wheels, fitted as standard. Terra grade models feature 16” steel wheels with wheelcaps. Luna grade models boast 16” matt aluminium alloys, and Sol grade versions are complimented by dramatic, 16” super chrome metallic alloy wheels.

Advanced aerodynamics, Cd 0.315

Despite its rugged exterior design, the Urban Cruiser displays admirable aerodynamic characteristics, with a drag coefficient of only Cd 0.315. This was made possible by the careful tuning of airflow over the bodywork. Particular attention has been paid to the airflow over the ‘pagoda’ roof and rear spoiler, and optimisation of the angle of the roof sides. The lower section of the front bumper and the door mirrors have also been shaped for optimum aerodynamic performance, whilst the addition of front and rear wheel spats significantly reduces wheel arch air turbulence.

High quality interior, styled at Toyota’s European Design Studio

The Urban Cruiser’s interior was designed by Toyota’s ED2 European Design Studio, to provide levels of quality and refinement unprecedented in the B segment all-roader market.

The strong horizontal emphasis of the dashboard emphasises the Urban Cruiser’s bright, spacious interior design. Its careful integration with the concave door trim surfaces reinforces the urban all-roader’s class leading occupant safety attributes.

Within the driver’s instrument binnacle, the speedometer and tachometer are combined in a concentric circle behind a smoked glass plate with a non-reflective coating, creating the impression of a high-tech radar screen.

The design of the ‘floating’ centre cluster combines flair and originality with outstanding switchgear ergonomics and functionality. The centre cluster, front console and door switch panels are finished in metallic silver finish, underlining the quality and refinement of the interior. Helping to promote environmentally responsible driving, a Gear Shift Indicator recommends optimum gear-shifting for maximum fuel efficiency and minimum CO₂ emissions.

Space, flexibility and practicality

The Urban Cruiser’s long, 2460 mm wheelbase and short, 785 mm and 685 mm front and rear overhangs combine to award the new urban all-roader a remarkably spacious interior despite its compact external dimensions. A loadspace capacity of 314 litres may be increased to 749 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Complementing a dark grey interior, the seats are upholstered in a high quality jersey material, available in three grades. The sporting front seats benefit from a particularly thin profile, which greatly improves rear passenger leg room.

Two types of rear seats are available, each with an improved folding mechanism: the 2WD model has a 60:40 split seat with slide, recline and tilt-down functions, the AWD version has a 60:40 split seat with recline and double-fold functions.

In recognition of the active lifestyles of B segment customers, the Urban Cruiser features a wide range of storage compartments. These include lower and upper glove box compartments, front door pockets which hold A4 sized documents or a bottle, rear door pocket bottle holders, a rear centre bottle holder, a utility box next to the hand brake, a front driver’s side utility box, twin front centre cup holders and a front passenger’s side cup holder conveniently located in front of the air vent for effective cooling during warm weather driving.

The new Urban Cruiser benefits from the latest Toyota Optimal Drive technology, a range of powertrain innovations introduced to strengthen Toyota’s lead in environmental responsibility and sustainable mobility. Incorporated, as standard, in every Toyota, it is fundamental to achieving the company’s whole-fleet CO₂ average target of below 140g/km.

Toyota Optimal Drive showcases a combination of wide-ranging, advanced technologies designed to optimise the balance of performance and driving enjoyment with fuel economy and low emissions. These diverse core technologies focus on three key aspects of powertrain development: the reduction of engine weight, the reduction of unnecessary mechanical losses and the maximisation of combustion efficiency. The Urban Cruiser powertrain line-up features a new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine with Stop & Start technology, a 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine and a new six-speed manual transmission for both engines. Every powertrain benefits fully from the low friction components, super-lightweight compact design and enhanced combustion efficiency inherent in Toyota Optimal Drive.

New 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine

Featuring innovative “Stop & Start” technology, the new 1.33-litre petrol engine is equipped with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) and a remarkably high compression ratio of 11.5:1. It generates 74kW/101 DIN hp and maximum torque of 132 Nm at 3800 rpm, combining excellent dynamic performance with fuel consumption of just 5.5l/100km and CO₂ emissions of only 129g/km.

Profiting from Toyota’s extensive motorsport experience, the unit is exceptionally lightweight and compact, with a small bore and long stroke, resulting in a very high power-to-weight ratio. It features a resin-type cylinder head cover and intake manifold, and the intake channel has been streamlined to optimise airflow for improved combustion efficiency.

Dual VVT-i helps boost response levels across the entire rev range by varying the air-fuel intake and exhaust valve timing to suit the conditions at any given time. In addition to improving torque at low and medium engine speeds, the system also reduces emissions and enhances fuel efficiency.

New Stop & Start technology

Available with the 1.33 litre petrol engine, a new Stop & Start system automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle is stopped. Under urban driving conditions, the system delivers significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions (up to 4%).

Toyota’s Stop & Start system features the world’s first permanently engaged starter motor gear mechanism. This equips the system with two major benefits: outstanding quietness and rapid restart.

The Stop & Start system turns off the engine whenever it is not needed. When the car comes to a halt, the engine stops when the shift is in neutral position and the clutch pedal is released. In addition, and in order not to affect driving comfort and safety, certain other conditions must be fulfilled. For example, the engine will not stop if the desired cabin temperature has not been reached. When that temperature is reached, the air-conditioner will switch to “ECO-run loading”, allowing the engine to automatically stop. The engine will automatically restart in the event of low battery charge, or if the vehicle begins to move, in the interests of safety.

Revised 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine

Available with either a 2WD or AWD drivetrain, the 1.4-litre D-4D common rail diesel engine has been comprehensively re-engineered. Equipped, as standard, with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the intercooled turbodiesel employs the very latest piezo electric technology.

Benefiting from an exceptionally high injection pressure of 160 MPa, the piezo-electric injectors can supply larger, more precise volumes of diesel at twice the speed of conventional fuel injectors. Because of their high operating speed, they can deliver multiple injections per combustion cycle, optimising the combustion process for responsive performance with low fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

The unit generates 66kW/90 DIN hp and maximum torque of 205 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm. Front wheel drive versions return fuel consumption figures of 4.5l/100km and CO₂ emissions of only 118g/km. The AWD version returns fuel consumption figures of 4.9l/100km, and CO₂ emissions of just 130g/km; the world’s lowest emissions for an all-wheel driven passenger car.

New 6-speed manual transmission

Also benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technology, a new 6-speed transmission has been developed for the 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i and 1.4-litre D-4D engines. Gear changes are exceptionally quiet and smooth, and the new transmission achieves world-class levels of efficiency and improved fuel economy due to a wide sixth gear ratio.

Active Torque Control AWD

The Urban Cruiser’s 1.4-litre D-4D diesel powertrain is available with Active Torque Control AWD. Integrated with the vehicle’s other traction control systems, Active Torque Control AWD is seamlessly flexible, providing an optimized torque distribution ranging anywhere from 100:0 to 50:50 front to rear depending on driving dynamics and the prevalent road conditions.

Employing an electronically controlled coupling placed in front of the rear differential, the new AWD system affords enhanced traction performance and cornering stability. When accelerating or starting off on a low-grip surface, torque is provided to all four wheels to guarantee optimum acceleration with minimal loss of traction. During low speed cornering, torque distribution to the rear wheels is reduced to avoid tight corner braking. When braking, the electronically controlled coupling is disengaged to optimize ABS control. Under normal cruising conditions, torque is apportioned to the rear wheels only when necessary, reducing fuel consumption.

Active Torque Control AWD is fully automated. However, via a switch on the instrument panel, the system may be locked to further improve traction in mud or snow. When locked, the system distributes maximum torque to the rear wheels. When vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h, “Lock mode” is released and switched to “Auto mode” automatically.

MacPherson strut front - torsion beam type rear suspension

The new Urban Cruiser features a high rigidity, compact, L-arm type MacPherson strut front suspension system which combines excellent ride comfort with minimal body roll and dynamic, agile handling performance.

Chosen for its compact, lightweight design offering minimal intrusion into the loadspace, the rear suspension system features a torsion beam with integral anti-roll bar. The system combines outstanding packaging efficiency with first class ride comfort and handling.

Electric Power Steering (EPS)

The Urban Cruiser’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) offers variable assistance for maximum urban manoeuvrability combined with optimum weight and feel during high speed driving. This advanced system uses electric power only when steering assist is needed. As a result it achieves higher fuel efficiency than conventional hydraulic power steering systems. Moreover, because it does not use hydraulic fluid, EPS does not generate waste oil, and is thus a more environmentally friendly system.

Impact absorbing body

The new Urban Cruiser has been designed to offer the highest levels of active, passive and pedestrian impact safety performance. Its lightweight yet high rigidity, impact-absorbing body shell incorporates a significant percentage of high tensile steel. To reduce the impact force on passengers’ backs and chests during a side collision, impact-absorbing material is positioned in each part of the door trim. A crushable door armrest structure further absorbs side collision impact forces.

The new Urban Cruiser’s bonnet features an energy absorbing structure and a crushable cowl at its rear edge. The bonnet hood lock is well distanced from the upper bonnet surface, and the vehicle front incorporates upper and lower leg impact absorbers. Additional absorbers located where the rear edge of the bonnet meets the upper fender and a front wiper motor engineered with a collapsible bracket further minimise pedestrian impact injuries.

Seven SRS airbags

All Urban Cruiser versions are equipped, as standard, with seven SRS airbags; driver and front passenger airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags and full-length side curtain shield airbags.

3-point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts

All front and rear seats feature three-point, ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts with a pre-tensioner and force limiter function. The ELR is designed to lock up the seatbelt when excessive load is applied over a preset value. During a collision, the force limiter fractionally reduces seatbelt tension to lower occupant chest impact forces.

Active front headrests

The Urban Cruiser is fitted with active front seat headrests to reduce whiplash injuries during rear end collisions. Should a rear impact of sufficient velocity occur, the headrests are operated automatically, moving forwards and upwards to support the heads of the driver and front passenger.

Powerful front and rear disc brakes

The Urban Cruiser is fitted with 275 mm ventilated disc brakes to the front. To the rear, 2WD models are equipped with 259 mm discs and AWD models 279 mm discs.

ABS, EBD, BA, TRC and VSC (Active Safety Systems)

The new Urban Cruiser is fitted, as standard, with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

EBD works with ABS to ensure that the most effective brake force is applied to each wheel, according to road conditions. By preventing the wheels from locking, EBD helps to maintain sure-footed stability during cornering and braking. BA identifies the need for, and applies, additional braking force if the driver fails to apply sufficient force during emergency braking, or releases brake pressure too soon.

TRC monitors and controls the amount of power that is applied to the road through the car’s wheels. If the system detects that one or more wheels is about to lose traction it instantly determines the best way to restore traction to that wheel, either by decreasing the power being sent to the wheel that is about to spin or, in more extreme cases, momentarily braking the wheel until it regains traction.

VSC is designed to prevent loss of car control when entering a corner too fast or in slippery conditions which might lead to a skid. Via sensors monitoring car body rotation, wheel speed and brake pressure, the system assesses vehicle stability and the proximity of either an understeer or oversteer slide. The system restores stability by applying smoothly modulated braking to the appropriate wheel individually.

Lower servicing costs

The Urban Cruiser’s 15,000 km service interval maximises component lifetime efficiency, ensuring parts such as brake pads are only changed when they have been fully used. The new urban all-roader features a maintenance-free timing chain, a low cost oil filter in which only one component has to be replaced and long-life spark plugs. The use of synthetic oil is not required, further lowering maintenance costs.

The Urban Cruiser also benefits from Toyota’s already excellent record of low repair costs. Many components have been developed specifically to reduce impact repair costs. These include headlamp mounting brackets which are designed to break on impact before the lamp itself is damaged and the large front bumper, which reduces damage to the bonnet during collisions.

The body structure has also been designed to reduce repair costs when a minor collision occurs. This is expected to receive a class 17 listing (1.4-litre D-4D AWD version) in damage testing set by the German Insurance Industry.

Oil Maintenance Monitoring System (OMMS)

The Urban Cruiser’s 1.4 litre turbodiesel features an Oil Maintenance Monitoring System (OMMS) which continuously monitors engine use and determines the optimum oil change interval. In addition, the adoption of automatic valve adjusters on the 1.3-litre Dual VVT-i engine removes the need to periodically adjust valve clearances throughout the engine’s lifespan.

Clutches are self-adjusting, and an automatic tensioner avoids the need for periodic checking of the auxiliary belt tension. Auxiliary belt life is 105 000 km and the engine coolant will last 150 000 km.

Low CO₂ taxation and fuel costs

Through the adoption of Toyota Optimal Drive technology, both the Urban Cruiser’s petrol and diesel engines are highly efficient. As a result, customers benefit not only from lower fuel bills, but also, due to lower CO₂ emissions, lower taxation in many European countries.

Proven Toyota quality

Benefiting from over 50 years of Toyota all-roader expertise, the Urban Cruiser bodyshell has been designed to remain corrosion free throughout the life of the vehicle. The use of galvanized steel sheets on most of the body components enhances anti-corrosion characteristics. And an underbody undercoating further prevents corrosion damage as a result of paint chipping.

Environmentally friendly production

Often heated and cooled using solar power, surrounded by native trees and committed to “zero land fill” operations, Toyota manufacturing plants are some of the most environmentally advanced in the world. The quantity of environmentally harmful VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) materials used in parts throughout the interior of the Urban Cruiser has been reduced. Acrylic-based material is used for the undercoating material of the underbody, thus avoiding the use of polyvinyl chloride.

Easy end-of-life dismantling

To ensure easy recycling, dismantling marks are included on large components such as the front bumper, instrument panel lower, front and back door trim, deck side trim, and back door trim. In addition, materials of components which weigh less than 100g are marked as this can help simplify dismantling work.

Available in Terra, Luna and Sol model grades, the new Urban Cruiser offers a comprehensive standard equipment specification,even on entry level models.

Terra

The Terra entry grade Urban Cruiser is equipped with: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), seven airbags, active front seat headrests, electric windows, remote central locking, a six speaker radio/CD with MP3 compatibility, tilt and telescopic steering, driver’s seat height adjustment, Electric Power Steering, Optitron instruments, a gear shift indicator, 16” pressed steel wheels, a roof spoiler and body coloured door mirrors with turn indicators.

Luna

To the comprehensive Terra grade specification, Luna adds 16inch matt alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, a six speaker radio/CD with aux-in connection and Bluetooth® connectivity, rear electric windows, a leather steering wheel with audio and telephone switches, and a leather gearshift knob.

Sol

To the Luna grade specification, Sol adds exclusive Sol trim, 16-inch super chrome metallic alloy wheels, a full-map satellite navigation system, push start button and smart entry, automatic air conditioning and an electro chromatic rear view mirror.

Images : 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser