Avensis Diesel T180

[Andy R]

Anyone had a go in the new 180bhp diesel Avensis? What are they like? I'm seriously considering having a test drive in one. Should be a damn sight better acceleration and overtaking than the 1.8 I've got at the minute.

Andy R

[LEXUS]

T180 D-4D D-Cat 0-62mph 8.6sec.//// 1.8VVT-I 0-62mph 10.2 sec. :P

[Black Knight]

It's a license loser.

You can be doing a ton and not notice.

A little turbo lag to start but seriously gutsy mid-range. Gets a little wheasy at top end

[Steve84]

I'm thinking about a T180 next say in around 18 months or so. That way if theres any problmes with it they should of showed there head by then and been sorted. The stats look very impressive tho. From black Knight's comment i'd beter get saving.

[uumode]

Some info here

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=228

Summary: it needs a louder indicator clicker.

[Desmond22]

I'd love one but like Steve I'd better get saving. The D4D 2.0 is a good motor but I fancy a bit of a lift!

Read all the reports but has anyone actually got one?

[Andy R]

I'd also read the figures....impressive for a big car, but wondered if anyones actually got one or driven one. There's nothing like a personal recommendation as they say.

Any way I've got to book the 1.8 in for a service and see about a few warranty issues before it runs out at the end of September. Hopefully they may have a T180 on demo :) :) :)

[matty2767]

they have a demo one at our delaer because i have seen someone driving it when i was on my way home from work.

i think it is quite a bit more expensive though for what is basically a retune. infact it is nearly the same price as a two yr old fully loaded 5 series.

[spwolfx]

I'm thinking about a T180 next say in around 18 months or so. That way if theres any problmes with it they should of showed there head by then and been sorted. The stats look very impressive tho. From black Knight's comment i'd beter get saving.

same engine has been selling in Continental Europe for an year now. German mags love it, claim it the best engine in the class.

[Andy R]

Well gone and booked a test drive in a T180 in two weeks time whilst our car is in for a service. I'll let you all know what it's like.

Andy R

[LIAM.MCGLOIN]

Anyone had a go in the new 180bhp diesel Avensis? What are they like? I'm seriously considering having a test drive in one. Should be a damn sight better acceleration and overtaking than the 1.8 I've got at the minute.

Andy R

Posted this a while ago;T 180

[Mkuk0]

Colleague of mine had one delivered recently. licence loser without a doubt, 4k revs in 5th I remember the extra gear, changed, glanced down, 130!! oops, effortless acceleration, you just dont realise the speed you are doing. I handed the keys back sheepishly, he'd only done about 60 miles in it!! I llok forward to taking it off his hands when he loses his licence. In my colour too :D

[Rik]

Well, I be checking out a T180 (well it's actually called different in the NL, but it's basically the same car) tomorrow. Fastest car I drove up to now was a Volvo S60 D5 which was nice and this one is considerably faster so... Can't wait :D

[slimjake]

Took the T180 out for a day about a month ago.

Nice car but scary! I'm used to the Passat where you feel (and here) the turbo kick in immediately. In comparison the T180 picks up nicely in the mid rev range, only you have no sensation of it doing so. I sat there thinking "when is this car going to get moving?" - then I looked at the speedo!

The major gripe I would have though is the somewhat jittery steering at speed if you hit an uneven patch of road - had my heart in my mouth a couple of times. Also it seemed to me that it was a fairly hard ride. Don't know if that's because of a stiffer suspension or maybe the 17" wheels but it felt a lot firmer than the 1.8 I've driven.

Overall a good car and with the tech pack all the stuff you'd ever need. Leather seats and sat-nav included on the one I drove. For the money though it would be difficult not to look at other options (eg Passat SEL or even Sport).

Personally I thought the 150bhp version in T-3X trim was better value for money.

There's a good review of the T180 at;

http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?ln...0Avensis%20T180

[mbx]

Hello,

I am using the one (D4D D-CAT 2.2, wagon) for 3 weeks (1500 km).

Previously I had Mazda6 2.0

The change is impressive, I would say. 177HP, 400Nm (!!!). Inside you do not feel the speed at all (e.g. with Mazda I used to drive according to sound of engine). Doing 160 km/h with 6 gear - only 2500-2700 RPM and you can speak with normal voice.

Yes you can hear tires (215/50 r17) but it is normal with such size.

Inside it is more conservative than for example Mazda, but everything is in place and clear.

But the most important - torque! 400Nm gives you possibility to overtake almost whatever car with whatever gear. With 6th even you can JUMP together with a car from 100 to 160 km/h without noticing it :)

Fuel consumption is 7.6L at the moment (80% city, 20% highway, but quite a high speed).

====

And for conclusion one practical issue.

When starting the engine in the morning it does not start so quickly than other diesel cars I had (e.g. Opel Astra 1.7dti). Dealers told me, that it is specific of common rail, but I am not so sure. Lets see when the winter comes (where I live -25 is normal temperature in the morning).

Mbx