Toyota Aurion TRD: Camry Based Sedan With A 329 Hp Supercharged V6

Our second report from Down-Under today concerns the official introduction of the Camry based, Aurion TRD sports sedan which is equipped with a supercharged 3.5L V6 engine producing 329 Hp (241 kw) and 400 Nm (295lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. The front-wheel drive Aurion TRD sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds while its top speed is electronically limited to a maximum of 250km/h (155 mph). Supercharged engine aside, the Aurion TRD gets a full bodykit, revised suspension and brake systems along with a tastier, sporty interior. -Continued after the jump

According to Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, the locally developed and built Aurion TRD will play the role of “an alternative to the locally produced specialist 'muscle cars' with their V8 engines and price tags of over 60,000 AUD”.

However, when compared to the rear-wheel drive, V8 powered Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons, $56,990 for an Aurion TRD 3500S and $61,500 for the better equipped 3500SL, doesn’t sound “alternative” to our ears, especially when you can go buy a 368Hp Holden VE Commodore SS-V for $52.490 (manual gearbox).

TOYOTA INJECTS PERFORMANCE INTO ITS RANGE

Toyota Australia has injected 241kW of style, passion and performance into its range with the launch of the TRD brand and its first model, the supercharged TRD Aurion. Locally designed and built, TRD Aurion is the most powerful Toyota ever seen in Australia. It will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds and is speed-limited to a maximum of 250km/h.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, said the TRD Aurion represented "Toyota plus". "The TRD involvement elevates Aurion's dynamic capabilities while retaining Toyota's traditional quality, durability and reliability," Mr Buttner said. "You've got Toyota - plus added style and performance."

Toyota Style Australia styled TRD Aurion's exterior and interior. TRD Aurion is offered in two grades: 3500S, for sport, and 3500SL, after sports luxury. Both are fitted with the 241kW supercharged engine, sports suspension, performance brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, TRD front and rear bumpers, side skirt and rear spoilers, sports seats, power driver's seat, alloy pedals, TRD scuff plates, air conditioning and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 3500S - with an RRP of $56,990* - is strategically positioned below the luxury-car tax threshold. The upper-grade 3500SL has added features including Smart Entry and TRD Smart Start, full leather interior, clearance and reverse parking sonars, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, six-way power front passenger seat and TRD floor mats. The 3500SL has an RRP of $61,500*.

Mr Buttner said the price, specification, value and performance of the TRD Aurion would position it against both local and imported competition. "TRD Aurion matches the size of the locally produced sports sedans that are priced above it, and it exceeds the performance of its imported rivals," he said. TRD Aurion is the world's first production car to use the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) supercharger. "It offers new levels of efficiency and quietness," Mr Buttner said.

"The standard Aurion engine is already at the forefront of technology - the most powerful naturally aspirated six-cylinder powerplant in its class.

"The Eaton supercharger lifts performance to a new plane with instant throttle response and excellent acceleration at low engine speeds.

"The power is delivered consistently and evenly throughout the rev range, rather than suddenly producing a neck-breaking surge.

"At the same time, it's so fuel-efficient you don't need to be a 'petrolhead' to enjoy exhilarating performance."

TRD Aurion's supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

"TRD Aurion will provide a balanced driving experience for a sophisticated market, integrating its power with dynamic cornering ability, precise steering response and impressive stopping performance," Mr Buttner said.

"It will distinguish itself by delivering its ample reserves of all-round performance in a way that is enjoyable and relaxing to drive - whether in traffic or on the open road."

TRD Aurion pricing

3500S $56,990*

3500SL $61,500*

Options

Metallic paint $430 (3500S only)

Moonroof $1995 (3500S); $2025 (3500SL)
(Note: different due to luxury-car tax)

Moonroof + sat nav $5952 (3500SL only)

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Toyota Aurion Sports Concept & Aurion Sportivo SX6 / ZR6

The Australian International Motor Show proves once again that Aussies seem to be getting all the fun. And even though the Aurion Sports is just a Concept based on the Australian version of the Camry, they still get the chance to choose among two sporty version of the Aurion, dubbed Sportivo SX6 & ZR6 (they differ on the extra equipment). The latter are equipped with the same 272 Hp 3.5 V6 engine of the basic versions (0-100km/h in 7,4 sec & 228km/h top speed). Besides the full bodykit, the Sportivo SX6 & ZR6 get 17" alloys and a sport orientated suspension.

As for the Aurion Sports Concept, according to Toyotas it's purely an exterior styling exercise. But, in the press release they also add, "However, from a performance perspective a sports sedan based on the Aurion could be expected to be powered by a supercharged or turbocharged version of an advanced Toyota engine". Now that's something I'd love to see: a front wheel-drive, turbocharged Toyota with 350+ Hp! Via: Jalopnik

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Toyota Aurion & FPC Concept

The Melbourne Motor Show hosted the preview of the all new Aussie designed Toyota Aurion. With this car, which will replace, the not so successful, Avalon, Toyota Australia is hoping it will cement its “Down-Under” manufacturing future

The Aurion – its name means “tomorrow” in modern & ancient Greek – was designed to apparently suit Australia’s large car tastes and compete with rivals such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.

Although those cars send power to the rear wheels, the Aurion is a front wheeled model. Toyota is hoping the styling, will win fans where the Avalon failed.

While Toyota will pitch the Aurion as a true Aussie large car, actually, it is based on the Camry, something that also happened with the Avalon. The Aurion will have the same interior space as a Camry, although revised seating and a new look to the interior provide differentiation.

Other than the look, the main difference between the Aurion and the Camry will be the engines as the new Camry will be exclusively 4-cylinder while the Aurion will get a 3.5-litre V6 VVTi.

Latter the range will get a sport model equipped with a supercharged version of the 3.5 V6 VVTi that will produce, according to Toyota, over 260 hp, so Toyota can compete in the large performance sedan market dominated until now by Holden and Ford, both of which wear V8 engines.

TOYOTA AURION – A NEW STAR ON THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE HORIZON

Toyota has previewed a new Australian-built six-cylinder sedan that promises to redefine the large car market. The sedan, named Aurion, has been designed with unprecedented input from Toyota Style Australia (TSA). Aurion means “tomorrow” in Ancient Greek. The name also has overtones of Australia and Aurora – Latin for “the dawn”.

The Aurion has classic Australian family sedan proportions and will have the power to match. It is scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

The Aurion range, which will replace the discontinued Avalon in Australia, will introduce new technology and safety features to the large car market.

The model line-up will cater for a wide variety of customer tastes in the private, fleet and prestige market segments.

Toyota is showing the new Aurion sedan at the Melbourne International Motor Show this week. The stand also includes two show vehicles that hint at possible styling cues for the Aurion sports and performance models.

The Aurion features new exterior styling themes penned by TSA’s lead designer, Nick Hogios, working in collaboration with Japanese and Taiwanese designers.

Its development was undertaken simultaneously in Japan and Australia at the TSA design studio in Melbourne.

“The Aurion ensures that Toyota Australia has significant separation between our locally manufactured four-cylinder medium and six-cylinder large cars,” Toyota Style Australia (TSA) Chief Designer Paul Beranger said. “This vehicle will allow us to grow our share of the large car market. Australian retail customers and fleets alike are looking for an alternative to the big two in this segment.

“Aurion has what the large car buyer demands: muscular proportions and a performance package that will be very competitive with local rivals.

“On top of those two key attributes, there will be the added benefit of Toyota quality, durability and reliability.

“The car will also adopt leading technology from our luxury brand, Lexus.

“Local styling clinics suggest very strongly that we have connected with large car customers in terms of styling.

“Australians aspire to sophisticated European design tastes and the new Aurion has very elegant yet muscular proportions.”

Mr Beranger said the Aurion was evidence of a growing Australian design influence in Toyota.

“This project has put Toyota Style Australia on the map with our parent company and we are confident we can increase our level of influence on future models,” he said.

TOYOTA AURION FUTURE PERFORMANCE CONCEPT (FPC)

Toyota has given the Australian public a first glimpse of its new Australian-designed performance sedan.

The Toyota stand at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show features a partial reveal of the Aurion Future Performance Concept (FPC).

The concept model is a pointer to a new Aurion-based performance sedan, due for local launch in the first half of 2007.

Styled by Toyota Style Australia and developed by Toyota Australia engineers, the performance model will be unique in the Toyota world.

It will sit above the sports model in the Aurion range.

Toyota Australia Executive Chairman John Conomos said the motor show display was designed to whet the public appetite for Toyota performance vehicles.

“Our display at this show is a strong statement of Toyota Australia’s styling and performance engineering capability. Both the Sportivo Concept model and the FPC on the stand have been designed by our stylists here in Australia,” Mr Conomos said.

The FPC display gives subtle hints about the car’s aggressive body and wheel design.

“The styling cues are more subtle than overt. They give an indication of the character of the car. The emphasis will be on refined performance and advanced technology,” Mr Conomos said.

Powered by a sports-tuned supercharged 3.5-litre V6, the Aurion performance derivative will offer a complete package with the accent on excitement and athletic driving dynamics.

The supercharged engine will be displayed on the Toyota stand.

Specially developed and tuned by a team of Toyota Australia engineers working closely with local suppliers, the supercharged version of Toyota’s 2GR-FE engine draws on motor sport engineering principles to deliver a new level of refined power and responsiveness to the performance car market.

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