In response to customer feedback as well as growing market demand, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, is now offering the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Previa as part of the line-up for the Malaysian market. Both MPV models are extremely popular in Malaysia but have so far only been available from private importers.
Unlike the vehicles which are imported by other parties who purchase them from used car dealers in Japan, the Alphard and Previa distributed by UMW Toyota Motor are sourced directly from Toyota factories in Japan. This is a guarantee of the same superior quality as other vehicles sold by UMW Toyota Motor.
And as with virtually all vehicles sold by the company, there is a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or 100,000 kms (whichever occurs first after original registration). Besides this warranty which covers manufacturing defects that occur during the period of coverage, owners can also have peace of mind knowing that should there be any technical issues which need to be rectified in later years, they are assured of the full support of UMW Toyota Motor to provide parts and qualified technical assistance. This is not possible with vehicles which are imported by other parties.
Full after-sales support, including servicing by technicians trained by Toyota, can be obtained at no less than 72 authorised Toyota service centres nationwide. Availability of Toyota Genuine Parts for both models is guaranteed as part of the commitment to satisfaction throughout the entire ownership experience of a Toyota vehicle.
In view of good demand, UMW Toyota Motor is officially introducing these value for money models with on-the-road price of RM258,017.10 for the Previa 2.4 GL, RM338,000 for the Alphard 2.4G and RM 398,000 for the Alphard 3.5G. Currently, UMW Toyota Motor is offering an introductory package of three years free service, first year free road tax and insurance to the first 300 customers.
Furthermore, all vehicles that are distributed by UMW Toyota Motor have technical specifications which are suited for Malaysian conditions as Toyota engineers have conducted thorough studies of road and climatic conditions.
TOYOTA PREVIA
The latest Toyota Previa (also known as Estima) is the third generation of one of Toyota’s more popular MPVs. The Previa has a distinctive profile with its sleek and aerodynamic shape. The latest generation maintains the 1-motion silhouette with a sportier frontal appearance and a ‘floating roof’ concept with the ‘hidden’ roof pillars.
Though a large MPV, the shape of the Previa has been streamlined in many areas to enable it to slip through the air smoothly, helping in fuel economy as well as lowering wind noise. Some features which enhance aerodynamics are the smooth underside of the floorpan with minimum openings to cause turbulence and an optimised height for the rear bumper to allow air to flow out from under the vehicle more smoothly. Spats are installed in front of each wheel to divert airflow outwards so that straightline stability at high speeds is improved.
Customers ordering their new Previa have a choice of 5 colours – Ice Titanium Mica Metallic, White Pearl CS, Black, Silky Gold Mica Metallic, and Silver Metallic.
Interior space has always been a strong point of the Previa, one of the reasons why it has been a popular choice as a family vehicle. The latest generation has improved seating comfort, thanks to the expanded cabin space, and entry/exit is easier with the wider door openings on either side. For convenience, both side doors are powered and can be operated either with the smart key, switches on the driver’s door panel, or by pulling on the handles. Minimal force is required to open the doors manually and Jam Protection ensures safety during the closing operation.
The appointments inside the Previa reflects a premium image with leather upholstery as standard and wide comfortable seats for all 7 occupants on three rows. While the driver’s seat has 8-way power adjustment, the passengers in the second row can enjoy the journey on Captain and Ottoman seats with integrated footrests at the back of front seats.
The second and third rows can be adjusted in various ways, providing flexibility in transporting cargo or occupants. Maximum cargo capacity is available when the third row is completely tumbled forward.
Power comes from the proven Toyota 2AZ-FE petrol engine, a 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve unit with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). Power delivery goes to the front wheels via a Super ECT automatic transmission which has the option of manual gear selection if the driver prefers to do his own shifting. Electronic controls refine the operation of the transmission as the gearshifts are coordinated with the running of the engine.
The chassis of the Previa uses front MacPherson struts with a rear torsion beam and has been designed to minimise body roll while providing a comfortable ride. Extensive efforts have been made to reduce noise transmission through the body with sound-insulating material used even in certain cross sections of the frame and to isolate the engine bay noise.
The body structure of the Previa satisfies Toyota’s tough in-house safety standard known as the Global Outstanding Assessment. Impact forces during an accident are dissipated around the cabin so as to minimise injurious effects to the occupants and around the cabin, certain surfaces are made softer to reduce injuries to passengers’ heads in the event of a severe accident. Needless to say, dual SRS airbags are also installed and ISOFIX points are provided for quick and secure installation of compatible childseats.
A useful safety feature for parents with small children is the conversation mirror incorporated to the sunglass holder above the inside rearview mirror. This small mirror, which has a wide angle of view, enables the driver to watch his or her children at the back without having to turn around frequently.
To assist the driver in avoiding accidents, the Previa is equipped with a full range of active safety systems which include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The latter system is especially important for a MPV which may carry varying loads at different times. As the weight distribution in the vehicle will affect braking stability, EBD detects the distribution pattern and adjusts the braking forces to all four wheels to ensure stable and level braking at all times. Without EBD, a lighter load at the rear when there are no occupants could result in reduce braking performance at the rear.
High–Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with auto-levelling are standard to provide bright illumination of the road ahead. Additionally, the Previa headlamp system comes with an Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System which will change the direction that the headlamps are pointed in accordance with the steering operation and vehicle speed. This is useful when cornering on winding roads as there is better illumination during cornering.
Every new Previa comes with a Toyota security system and Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film as standard. The film, applied by professionals at UMW Toyota Motor’s own facility, impedes break-ins from the side window glass when an attempt is made to smash it and of course reduces heat and glare from sunshine, keeping the cabin cool and comfortable.
TOYOTA ALPHARD
While the Previa began life as a global MPV product, the Alphard was initially offered mainly in the Japanese domestic market. The first generation was very successful in Japan and was the best-selling Toyota MPV. With the current second generation which is being marketed more globally, Toyota’s designers gave it a modern style which projects the image of a Majestic Flagship MPV.
The Alphard projects an image of solidity with its bold monoform design concept. Though it is a large vehicle, the designers have given it a dynamic look with styling elements like flares at the front and rear wheel arches.
There’s also a luxurious look with the gray-metallic coating on the distinctive grille which has chrome accents. The bonnet molding has been given a chrome-accented finish as well to emphasise the classy image of the Alphard.
The Alphard is available in two variants – Alphard 3.5G and 2.4G - and customers have a choice of four exterior colours – White Pearl CS, Gold Pearl CS, Silver Metallic and Black.
The latest Alphard has a new platform that has enabled the cabin to be longer while the floor level has been lowered. Even through the overall height is lower, the cabin ceiling is slightly higher than the first generation, enhancing comfort for the 7 occupants who sit on 3 rows of seats.
In keeping with the image of a Majestic Flagship, the cabin of the Alphard has a luxurious and high-quality image which is expressed through the use of leather, woodgrain trim and chrome accents. The shell interior gives an airy and spacious ambience which is like that of a luxurious hotel. Soft illumination along the side of the ceiling also add to the classy environment inside the Alphard.
The driver’s area is like that of a luxury sedan with all switches and control buttons positioned optimally for easy reach. Likewise, the instrument panel has a high-quality design and the Optitron meters are sharp and clear in all lighting conditions.
For the most comfortable seating position, the driver’s seat can be adjusted in no less than 8 ways at the press of a button. Preferred seat adjustments can also be memorised and selected at the touch of a button. Together with the automatic adjustment of the seat, the angles of the door mirrors are also adjusted to each individual driver’s preference. When the engine is switched off, the seat slides back to allow easier movement in and out of the vehicle.
Passengers in the second row can enjoy sitting in powered Captain and Ottoman seats which have integrated footrests at the back of the front seats. These seats are comparable to those in the First Class of an airliner, and offer the ultimate in travelling comfort.
The third row of seats have a 50:50 split folding feature, allowing each half to be utilised or folded against the side. This allows flexibility when carrying luggage and extra passengers. A spring-loaded mechanism makes it easy to fold each seat up.
The triple-zone air-conditioning system ensures that everyone in the cabin will be kept cool. There are vents on the ceiling to carry cool air all the way to the rear and additional vents at lower levels to distribute air more extensively around the cabin. The system has a nanoe™ ion generator to freshen the air quality as well as a dust and pollen filtration mode that can be activated at the front air-conditioning system panel. Though it has high cooling performance, the air-conditioning system has been designed to have low energy consumption to help fuel efficiency.
Besides a twin moon roof, the Alphard (3.5G version only) also has a power-operated rear door. At the touch of a button on the Smart Key or overhead console, the door will open automatically. It can be closed the same way by pressing a button on the rear door. To avoid injuries, the door will stop its downward movement if resistance is detected as it is closing.
Both side doors have large openings and open and close automatically. Should manual opening be necessary, the easy closer function ensures minimal force is required when closing the side doors.
Extensive efforts have been made to provide a quiet cabin environment for motoring pleasure. Generous amounts of specialised sound insulating materials have been inserted in many areas and sound-dampening measures have been taken in areas where engine noise can pass through.
Customers have a choice of two proven Toyota engines for their Alphard – a 3.5-litre, 24-valve, V6, Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) engine with ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System) to enhance torque delivery over a broader engine speed range or a 2.4-litre, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, VVT-i engine.
The Alphard 3.5G has a 6-speed Super ECT Automatic Transmission while the Alphard 2.4G uses a 7-speed CVT. Both types of transmissions offer the driver the option of selecting gears manually if desired.
The front suspension is by MacPherson struts while the rear suspension uses a torsion beam. The suspension geometry has been optimised taking into consideration the height of the vehicle and its load to ensure that the driver can enjoy good handling and stability while the passengers experience superior ride comfort.
Besides its strong bodyshell which meets Toyota’s Advanced Global Outstanding Assessment for maximum occupant protection, the Alphard also comes with active safety features that help the driver maintain vehicle control to avoid an accident. These include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) as well as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) which adjusts engine output and applies brakes on individual wheels to neutralise oversteer or understeer during cornering.
In the event that an accident cannot be avoided, there are 7 SRS airbags around the cabin, including an airbag under the steering column to protect the driver’s knees. During side impacts, curtain airbags will deploy to cover the side windows. Whiplash is also prevented with a special design for the headrests on the front seats that reduces the strain on the neck.
Bright High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps which are approved by the JPJ are installed to provide the best illumination for safe driving at night. For the Alphard 3.5G, there is also an Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System which swivels the headlamps as the vehicle turns in corners, providing better illumination on winding roads.
Every new Alphard comes with a Toyota security system and Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film as standard. The film, applied by professionals at UMW Toyota Motor’s own facility, impedes break-ins from the side window glass when an attempt is made to smash it and of course reduces heat and glare from sunshine, keeping the cabin cool and comfortable.
source: UMW Toyota Motors Press Release
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