Toyota’s new Urban Cruiser signals a new industry milestone in achieving the world’s lowest CO2 emissions for a four-wheel drive car.

The figure of 130g/km for the 1.4 D-4D AWD model is one aspect of the all-round environmental excellence that Toyota says it has achieved with its new B-segment hatchback crossover.

Scheduled to reach UK showrooms in May, the Urban Cruiser is the latest Toyota model to benefit from Toyota Optimal Drive, advanced powertrain design and engineering that is making engines more powerful, while at the same making them more fuel efficient and less polluting.

Its low emissions performance will add to Toyota’s progress towards achieving an average 140g/km across its full model range during 2009.

All Urban Cruisers are in Band C for Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) for 2008 – 2009, Band D for 2009 – 2010.

Toyota Optimal Drive 1.33 Dual VVT-i Stop & Start Urban Cruiser follows its Auris and Yaris sister models in adopting Toyota’s new 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine, equipped with a Stop & Start system.

Stop & Start 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 you engage the clutch again to select a gear ready to pull away. Toyota says this has a significant impact on fuel consumption and emissions and can achieve a reduction of up to four per cent in urban driving.