Forget limousines. Every self-respecting tycoon or pop star knows that the only way to get yourself and your entourage around town comfortably these days is in a luxury MPV. And not many come more luxurious than the Toyota Alphard. This month, Crown Motors, Toyota's official dealer in Hong Kong, has launched two new versions of the deluxe seven-seater - the Alphard MZ and Alphard MS - which incorporate cosmetic bodywork changes and a higher level of trim and features in the cabin. The facelift involves a new grille design and a reshaped front bumper, which give the front end a more contemporary, racy look. The new Alphards also sport newly designed headlamps, which the manufacturer claims provide superior visibility in virtually every type of driving condition. The tail lights are also restyled. Flashy alloy wheels are standard - 16-inch diameter for the MZ and 17-inch for the MS. The new Alphard has an extensive range of standard features. In the MZ package there are power-slide curtains, a full multimedia entertainment system with six speakers and a roof-mounted 10-inch LCD monitor. Unique to the new Alphard are new woodgrain panels. The MZ and MS are powered by a 24-valve V6 engine, pushing out 295bhp and maximum torque of 304Nm. This is coupled with a newly adopted five-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission. Crown Motors says the luxury MPV is quite a hit in Hong Kong. The Toyota dealer claims to have shifted about 800 Alphards to a wide range of customers, including families and business commuters, since its launch last year. The MZ is priced from $471,500, while the MS is priced from $419,000.
