Green drive for Urban Cruiser

Mar 23 2009 Steve Hughes

TOYOTA is claiming that its new Urban Cruiser will have the world's lowest emissions for a 4WD vehicle when it goes on sale in a few weeks.

The figure of 130g/km for the 1.4-litre diesel model will be the lowest of any small crossover vehicle of its type.

It also becomes the latest Toyota to use Optimal Drive and follows the Auris and Yaris in combining a 1.3-litre petrol engine with a Stop & Start system.

This turns off the engine when the car comes to a halt, the gear shift is moved to neutral and the clutch pedal is released.

Automatic restart is instantaneous as the clutch is engaged again to select a gear ready to pull away.

This is said to reduce emissions and fuel consumption by about four per cent in urban driving.

The 100bhp engine in the 2WD Urban Cruiser emits 129g/km CO2 and has an official fuel economy figure of 51mpg.

There will also be a revised version of the 1.4-litre diesel engine combined with four-wheel drive.

This produces 129g/km of CO2, which is said to be the world's lowest figure for an AWD drive car with a conventional engine.

The engine generates 89bhp of power and 205Nm of torque, with economy of 57mpg.

Both engines use a new six-speed transmission incorporating a long-legged sixth gear ratio that helps to achieve the world-class emissions and economy.

Specifications and prices have yet to be announced.