TOYOTA has definitely nailed its colours to the mast ... and has announced the arrival of the Avensis Colour Collection, a new entry point for the range, and the third model group to adopt the Colour Collection as its signature branding for special models.

In the past both Yaris and Corolla have launched the special colour editions and, says Toyota, they have proved immensely popular, mainly because of the cash savings that are launched with them.

For example, the first Avensis Colour Collection owners will get a car with a metallic finish worth £325 at no extra cost.

With on-the-road prices starting at £13,995, the saving is £900 compared to the regular T2 grade hatchback, saloon and tourer models on which the Avensis collection is based.

There is a choice of 1.8-litre VVT-I petrol or 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engines with sequential automatic transmission available as an option on the 1.8-litre models.

On the outside the Avensis will offer fully colour-matched bumpers, mirrors and door handles, a chrome grille surround and a special Colour Collection badge at the back. The colour range comes in metallic shades of silver steel, Carlo blue, silver fern and metropolis grey.

Where safety is concerned, the Avensis has earned the top five-star billing in the European passenger crash protection testing and comes fitted with anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and nine airbags, including a driver's knee bag.

There is also an eight-speaker audio system with CD player the controls for which are mounted on the steering wheel. There is also air conditioning, trip computer, multi-adjustable front seats and an adjustable steering column.

Arriving with the Avensis is a new Corolla Colour Collection of three and five-door hatchbacks, but with extra style provided by the T-Sport body styling kit with side skirts and deep front and rear air dams.

There are also saloon and estate models available with prices starting at £10,995. The colour chart includes silver steel, igneous grey or eclipse black.

Dealers: Knaresborough Toyota, York Road, Knaresborough (phone 01423 867456); York Toyota

Clifton Moor, York YO30 4WR (01904 693388).

Updated: 09:16 Friday, April 22, 2005