The Champion series also has a new slow-close toilet seat with an easy lift-off feature so homeowners can easily remove and replace the seat and cover without any tools for easy, thorough cleaning. Champion's extra-large flush valve and the largest siphon trapway diameter in the industry virtually eliminate clogs. That makes Champion's one-piece the rare low profile toilet that flushes powerfully, completely and quietly, boasting the first 3.5-inch flush valve for 1.6 gpf gravity fed toilets.

The four new two-piece Champions are created through a combination of three tank styles and two bowl designs that coordinate with American Standard's most popular suites. "Our customers are thrilled with the demand for the Champion flushing system," said James Walsh, product director, toilets. "Now they can offer more styles and benefits to homeowners and do so with a smart inventory strategy." The low-profile one-piece design enables even more power to be generated from the Flush Tower than in Champion's two-piece styles. The one-piece Flush Tower is shorter and wider, allowing American Standard to expand the flush valve from the three-inch inlet on Champion's two piece styles. For Champion one-piece is surprisingly affordable, with a suggested list of $495 in white and $569 in bone or linen.

Two of Champion's new models are decidedly traditional. The Oakmont has 1930's era detailing, making it a logical complement for American Standard's new Retrospect Collection. The Doral Classic has an angular profile with refined lines that will appeal to traditionalists who seek elegance in their bathroom. The new Doral and Champion Select have a more transitional style that can adapt to a wide variety of design themes. All four models have Champion's trademark upswept deck designed to channel the water more forcefully into the bowl by eliminating the usual 90-degree chokehold. Consumers like the unusual deck design because it simplifies cleaning.

The Ultimate Test: The Boys' Room American Standard reinvented gravity-fed flushing when it introduced the first Champion model last year. Champion's patented Flush Tower eliminates the old ball-and-chain and leaky flapper system with a non-adjustable metered flush that releases 1.6 gallons of water in just 0.75 seconds. Roy Ballard, building manager of New York City's City & Country School, said he was just happy to eliminate all the calls related to clogging from his mischievous elementary school students. "If you have a facility that has bathrooms in a high-traffic area, give these toilets a try," Ballard says.

The Ultimate Warranty: 10 Years The building trades find Champion's 10-year warranty most appealing. Remodeling contractors who judged Building Products magazine's 2004 Most Valuable Products Awards described the warranty as"unbelievable" in the magazine's July August 2004 article citing Champion as one of the winners.

The new Champion bowls are available in round-front, elongated, and elongated with American Standard's Right Height™ comfort option. Depending on the desired bowl configuration and color, the Champion Select has a suggested list ranging from $342 to $545; the Doral and Doral Classic range from $372 to $575; and the Oakmont ranges from $395 to $490. The new Champion toilet seat, which fits other toilets beyond Champion models, has a suggested list of $50 for round-front bowls, and $68 for elongated styles. •

For more information on America's Best Flushing System and to see an online demonstration, visit www.bestflush.com. Information on this and other American Standard products is also available a (800) 899-2614.