25 Jun 2012

Toyota to offer hybrid version of 2013 Avalon sedan

Avalon

Toyota will offer a hybrid version of its 2013 Avalon midsize sedan rated at 40 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving when it goes on sale late this year.

That’s essentially the same EPA fuel economy rating as Toyota’s slightly smaller Camry hybrid. Like the Camry, the Avalon hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride batteries to produce 200 horsepower.

The hybrid system will be able to power the car in all-electric mode as far as a mile at up to 25 m.p.h. The hybrid’s EPA ratings are 40 m.p.g. in the city, 39 on the highway and 40 in combined driving.

The base Avalon will come with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. That car will rate 21 m.p.g. in the city, 31 on the highway and 25 m.p.g. in combined driving.

The sleek new 2013 Avalon is lighter and slightly smaller than the current model. It should reach dealerships in late November.

Toyota builds the Avalon in Georgetown, Ky.

Courtesy of the Detroit Free Press