New Toyota Offers Much More

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 6 (Supplement)

New Toyota Offers Much More

Cars have progressed beyond merely providing comfortable transportation. People now want their cars to give them much more fun - in many different ways. They want a sense of anticipation to come from just looking at their car; they want a feeling of excitement to surround them, even when they're just sitting inside the car; and they want safe and reliable transport. The Toyota AXV-I1 on show at the Toyota Motor Show recently, offers that kind of fun, reliabiiity and safety. The compact car's proportions are wide and low. The large expanse of glass in the cabin allows full vision for driver and passengers. The new pivoting swing-up doors add dramatic flair. The AXV-II has been given a compact, nimble-

looking body 3,780mm long, 1,650mm wide and 1,260mm high. The clean styling is rounded, in tune with the times. The front end sets new fashions, and the side view is accented by a wrap-around waist garnish. The door glass that wraps up over the roof; the sophisticated sense of quality; the large, rounded, glassy canopy; the low beltline - everything comes together to offer the driver and passenger a new sense of driving freedom and visibility. The hinges of the pivoting swing-up doors are located at the front centre of the roof and at the upper end of the A-pillar so that it moves forward around the pillar as it opens up and away from the car. And, because the doors swing up over to the T-bar, entryand exit is especially easy. Further, when

open, the doors remain comparatively close to the car's shadow area so it can easily be parked in tight spots. The inner hinges and gasfilled struts are carefully placed, and variable movement arm mechanisms assure smooth opening and closing of the doors. Small access windows are let into the door glass to facilitate communications with the outside and to provide more ventilation when necessary. With the door glass curving up over the roof and the hatchback being entirely glass, the AWV-II seems to have a glass canopy that opens it up to the outside world. The field of vision is unparalleled. The whole interior was designed as a single entity, with its form calculated to offer the passengers additional comfort with wraparound lines sweeping from the instrument panel around to the sides. The cockpit is designed as the interface between driver and vehicles. Its flat-faced

control board is integral to the overall design. The seats support the head, the shoulders, and the hips firmly yet comfortably, and are designed to facilitate operation of the vehicle. Integrating the see-through headrests with the seats themselves makes them more attractive as well as more comfortable. The rear seats are separate, with fold-down backs. The owner can put either or both down to enable him to carry whatever equipment is needed to compliment his lifestyle. The foldable luggage partition can be used to create a private space. And, with the partition folded away, any number of luggage-carrying combinations are possible, including folding the rear seat backs down for a fully flat surface all the way to the rear. MOTORING AROUND THE MOUNTAIN Published 2nd Tues Each Month