Toyota will introduce added performance, refreshed styling and improved convenience to its family-oriented Kluger SUV when a facelifted range arrives in Australia later this month.
Kluger receives a performance infusion with gains to power and torque from its V6 powertrain, which is now equipped with direct-injection engine technology.
The updated V6 petrol engine delivers improved acceleration and overtaking with a substantial increase in power of almost 8.5 per cent to 218kW while torque rises to 350Nm.
Making best use of the engine’s upgraded performance and efficiency, the Kluger now employs a new direct-shift 8-speed automatic transmission.
The eight ratios, compared with six previously, benefit Kluger’s performance while improving fuel consumption and emissions by at least 10 per cent on the official combined cycle.
Top-of-the range Grande expands its suite of comprehensive safety features with rear-cross-traffic alert and supplements its lane departure alert with steering control and sway warning.
Grande, newly specified with front parking sensors, also gains a panoramic view monitor that uses four cameras – front, rear and in the side mirrors – to take visibility and safety to new heights.
Styling updates convey a more elegant presence with the new front grille on GX and GXL variants featuring a silver-painted finish, while Grande receives a painted chrome finish.
Tail-lights have been redesigned for a sleeker look and now feature standard LEDs while the Grande is distinguished by a rear bumper chrome garnish.
Inside, Toyota has enhanced quality with premium materials, soft-touch surfaces, bright accents and greater refinement with silver metallic garnishes on GX and GXL.
Grande is offered with silver woodgrain-look garnishes and blue LED ambient lighting around the dash and doors that add a touch of high-tech elegance.
Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the facelifted Kluger expands driver enjoyment and offers an even better package for families.
“The latest updates to Kluger are focused on areas that owners will appreciate – enhanced driveability, quicker overtaking, substantially improved economy and the added convenience of new features,” Mr Cramb said.
The improved lane departure alert on Grande variants adds steering assistance.
If the system judges the vehicle is about to move out of its lane and the driver has not responded sufficiently to a warning buzzer and light, it will apply light steering force to assist the driver to bring the vehicle back on course.
The system has also been advanced so that it can warn the driver if it detects swaying, which may occur due to driver drowsiness, inattention or distraction. It does this by combining two pieces of information – data from the camera about the vehicle’s position within the lane, and data on the driver’s steering operations.
Kluger is offered in two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations.
Every Kluger is fitted with seven airbags, reversing camera, reverse-parking sensors, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, and hill-start assist control.
Other standard features include air-conditioning, cruise control, electric power steering, six-speaker display audio with Toyota Link connected mobility, front foglamps, privacy glass, power-adjustable exterior mirrors and a 72-litre fuel tank.
