Toyota Aurion
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Aurion (ˈɔriən) is a mid-size car
produced by Toyota in Australia
and parts of Asia
since 2006. The Aurion, given the model designation XV40 is essentially a Toyota Camry (XV40) with revised front- and rear-end treatment, along with changes to the interior. The Camry-based Aurion is also sold in the majority of East
and Southeast Asia
as the Toyota Camry, with the original version of the Camry sold alongside the Aurion in Australasia
and the Middle East
. In the previous two markets, the car replaces the Avalon
model, which can trace its roots back to the early 1990s.
In the Australasian and Middle Eastern markets, to further differentiate the Aurion from its Camry sibling, Toyota equips the Aurion exclusively with a 3.5-litre V6 engine
. With the Camry, only the 2.4-litre four-cylinder model is offered. Previously in these markets, prior to the introduction of the Camry (XV40), Toyota had offered both four- and a six-cylinder powerplants. Along with the naturally aspirated version, Toyota also produced an Australia-only supercharged
TRD Aurion between 2007 and 2009. Tuned by Toyota Racing Development
(TRD), this performance variant was at its release claimed to be the world's most powerful front-wheel drive
car.
The powertrain
s used in the Asian specification Camry vary slightly from those of the Aurion. As well as the 3.5-litre V6, two four-cylinder engines are offered in either 2.0-litre or a 2.4-litre form. These engines are mated with a six-, four- and five-speed automatic transmission
s respectively.
manufactured the full-size
Avalon
model at its Altona
plant in Melbourne
until June 2005. Production of the Avalon had begun in 2000, taking much of its basic design and mechanical features from the then six-year-old Avalon model sold in North America
. The Avalon was offered as a larger, more upmarket car than the Toyota Camry
, which it was built alongside. The original sales predictions were not met, with the Avalon failing to challenge rivals such as the Holden Commodore
and the Ford Falcon
. The reasoning behind this has been widely attributed to the Avalon's older design and styling, which has been widely described as "bland", as well as the front-wheel drive configuration and smaller engine displacement
. In its best year, the Avalon only managed to reach half of Toyota's projected sales target, with many potential buyers opting for the slightly smaller sized V6
Camry, featuring the same engine as the Avalon.
Toyota, discovering that the Australian public wanted something that was modern and designed with consideration to the Australian market, began full-scale planning work on its Avalon replacement in 2002. Toyota Australia realised that no other model being developed at the time for Japan or North America was going to be suitable, and due to the size limitations of the Australian market, a completely indigenous model was unrealisable. However, at that time, Toyota Australia did not have any designers of its own. As a result, the company recruited Paul Beranger in August 2002 to set up Toyota Style Australia (TSA) in a industrial complex
located in Dingley Village, Victoria
. TSA first developed the X-Runner and Sportivo Coupe
concepts, and in 2003, Nick Hogios, who had previously worked for Ford Australia
on designing the XR performance models of the BA Falcon
, was appointed chief designer. TSA's next venture was more significant—a privately developed model based on the Camry XV30—a car that signalled the beginning of the Aurion programme. Codenamed "380L" and developed during the course of 2003, this one-off model was forged by stripping panels and interior components from the donor Camry, and substituting these for TSA-developed versions. Total cost was approximately million. Focus group
s conducted by Toyota in early 2003 had ranked the Avalon at the bottom of the list when compared to the competing Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon
, and Mitsubishi Magna
. Later on in the year, the same focus groups were called back and the Avalon was exchanged for the 380L. Overall, the groups ranked the Toyota as their first preference, and according to Beranger, "didn't see the car as a Camry". As such, Toyota Australia deduced that if the 380L was available for purchase there and then, they could sell it alongside the regular Camry as a six-cylinder car under a different name.
During the 380L development, TSA had regular discussions with Toyota Japan on how its Avalon replacement would eventually turn out. Because TSA were an unknown quantity, having never designed a production vehicle, it took the division some time to convince Japan that they could indeed design a car themselves. When the 380L was consigned to a presentation with Japanese Toyota officials, TSA's lead designer Nick Hogios was requested to tender a proposal for the next-generation "042L" Camry design competition. While his submission was not chosen, Hogios was summoned to work on what would become the Aurion, then exclusively referred to as the "Asian" or "prestige" Camry, and codenamed "043L". Due to the success of TSA's earlier concepts and the 380L, Toyota Australia was given the authorisation to manufacture both the regular 042L and 043L Camrys and sell them side-by-side. In Australia however, the regular Camry was to be limited to the four-cylinder engine, and the prestige Camry (later to become the Aurion) to the six
. Hogios worked in Japan for nine months designing the prestige Camry, and his final design was a collaborative effort between Japanese and Taiwanese designers, but the car's front-end styling is largely Hogios's own work. While the work in Japan was being undertaken, TSA began to make changes for the Australian Aurion variants. After the design stage was completed, Toyota Australia then commenced work on the development of the car, concurrently developing both the Australian car and the version for Asia. Beranger proclaims that the entire engineering undertaking, "is probably one of the most significant jobs that any subsidiary of Toyota Japan has done anywhere in the world." The Australian variant of the car was codenamed "323L". Despite both cars being essentially identical, Australia was given a different code due to the car occupying a broader range in that market—from a fleet vehicle to a sports-oriented model. In Asia, the car's role is much narrower, being a high-end luxury car.
On 9 February 2006, Toyota Australia unveiled the Aurion alongside the Aurion Sportivo concept at the Melbourne International Motor Show
at an official press conference
. Toyota dropped the Avalon tag for their new large car, as it had gained a reputation to be an uninspiring car, both in the flesh and to drive. Toyota made use of the "Aurion" name to give the car a fresh start. Aurion means "tomorrow" in Ancient Greek
, and Aurora translates to "the dawn" in Latin
. The name was chosen after consumer research
on more than 30 potential names. This gives implications of a completely new car and ties in with Toyota's advertising
slogan, "Can't wait for tomorrow".
, front and rear axle track
s, and interior dimensions as well. From the inside, the Aurion also shares a common interior design, which differs from the regular Camry with a redesigned instrument panel
top half, a foot-operated parking brake, and on some models Optitron driving gauges. The reasoning behind this strategy was to reduce costs, allow the car to be built alongside the Camry, allowing for a simplified manufacturing process.
Toyota claims that the Aurion is designed to Australian tastes, although it has been designed with markets such as Asia
in mind. Hogios states that the Aurion follows the traits of current Australian styling, with a tendency to look towards Europe
an designs for inspiration. In addition, the Aurion, like other recent Toyota vehicles, was designed with Toyota's "vibrant clarity" design language. According to chief designer Hogios, the car was designed with a "vibrant clarity" theory known as "perfect imbalance". This involves body features that act as a counter-point to other body features. Examples of this include intersecting concave and convex surfaces and vertical sculpted features on the front fascia, which are balanced by the horizontal headlamp
s. The front-end's "double concave architecture" can also be characterised by its protruding bonnet
crease line and deep grille
. The same architecture is applied at the rear, with a deep bumper, a clamshell
-shaped boot
lid that envelops over the flanks, dual exhaust pipes
and jewelled taillamps.
For certain markets like China
, where Camry sits right below similar-sized Mercedes-Benz
cars as a luxury model, it is important for the Aurion to exemplify the traits of such vehicles. With the development of the Aurion, designers produced two separate philosophies, each pitched at a specific niche of the market. The base model AT-X, and luxury Prodigy and Presara variants employ the comfort design, with the more aggressive sports-oriented style found on the Sportivo versions. To meet this requirement, the Sportivo variants feature unique 17 inch alloy wheel
s, a rear spoiler
, body kit
appendages, and a three-spoke steering wheel. The high-performance TRD models offer a similar sports-oriented design, but are distinguishable by the use of unique body parts. These include a redesigned Formula One
-inspired front bumper, with integrated foglamps, a unique rear bumper with fixed tailpipes
.
unveiled a reworked version of the East and Southeast Asian-market Camry in June 2009 equipped with a hybrid
drivetrain. The revised Aurion-based Camry previewed the Australian Aurion's then upcoming facelift. The updated car features new headlamp
and taillamp lens clusters with integrated foglamps, along with a redesigned front bumper, grille
insert, and revised interior trim details. Toyota Australia later revealed the updated car as its Aurion on 21 September. While the front-end of the original Aurion was designed with a "double-concave" architecture, the revised version abandons this for an "X-Form" design philosophy, characterised by a lower and wider trapezoidal shaped grille. The rear lamp design, according to Toyota Australia's David Buttner, has "evolved from the twin round design [...] to a parallelogram design and striking diffused LED
illumination."
Like the original version, the Aurion continues to offer differing frontal design treatments across the range. From side, the rehashed design is identified by the deletion of bodyside moulding strips and a range of new wheels designs, including the standard fitment of alloy wheel
s on the base-line AT-X. Interior upgrades in the form of new colour combinations are featured, along with upgraded instruments and gauges
giving greater turn signal and warning-signal clarity. Revised audio systems, lighting and in-cabin storage are also featured. Prodigy and Presara versions receive a new "linear satin" wood grain
finish.
Safety was a key aspect in the development of the Aurion. All safety features are standard across the entire range and there are no optional safety devices. Features such as dual front, side and curtain airbag
s, traction control
, brake assist
, electronic brakeforce distribution
and Vehicle Stability Control
come standard. In tests conducted by Australasian New Car Assessment Program
(ANCAP), the base model scored a four-star rating, with 30.03 out of 37 points. Toyota caused controversy by not providing a third test vehicle for ANCAP to use for the optional "side-pole impact test". This third test, allows tested vehicles to be eligible for a five star rating if the initial score is high enough. Toyota cited the additional expense of A$
75,000–$100,000 including the car as being unjustifiable, and that they did not agree with the nature of the pole test. The scores given without the optional test indicate that the maximum two points that could have been earned would have being slightly less than needed to give the Aurion a five star rating anyway. Due to Toyota's decision to fit a driver and front passenger seat belt
reminder, along with their decision to fund the optional pole test, the Aurion's safety rating was upgraded to a full five stars from August 2009 production, with a score of 33.03 out of 37.
that also powers the V6 Camry outside of Australasia. With an engine displacement
of 3.5-litres, the 2GR-FE engine is capable of outputting 200 kW and 336 newton metre of torque
. Power rises by 4 kW with the use of 95 RON
"premium" unleaded petrol
. Acceleration figures for the car have been recorded at 7.4 seconds from standstill to 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph), and Toyota claims a top speed of 228 kilometres per hour (141.7 mph). The Aurion, which is Euro IV
emissions compliant, is rated at 9.9 L/100 km under the Australian ADR 81/01
fuel consumption
test. The dual VVT-i
3.5-litre 2GR-FE engine paired to Toyota's six-speed U660E automatic transmission
. This same transmission is also utilised by the supercharged
TRD
variants. These produce 241 kilowatts (323 hp) and 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) of power and torque respectively, and have a combined fuel economy of 10.9 L/100 km.
In some Asia
n countries where the Aurion is sold as the Toyota Camry, both 2.0 and 2.4-litre powerplants are offered. The naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine is also available in some of these markets. The 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE straight-four
has a maximum output of 108 kW of power and 190 newton metre of torque. These figures rise to 127 kW and 224 newton metre when the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE unit is fitted. Of the two four-cylinder motors, the latter is united with Toyota's five-speed U250E automatic, with the U241E four-speed unit reserved for the 2.0-litre model.
, where it competes with the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon
, Holden Commodore
, and the now discontinued front-wheel drive
Mitsubishi 380
. The TRD variants were pitched to compete with the Subaru Liberty GT
and Mazda 6 MPS. Since its introduction, the Aurion has received numerous awards and positive reviews. In particular, the car has been praised for its good performance mated with comparatively low fuel consumption
, and the inclusion of safety and comfort features that are optional on competitor vehicles.
Prior to its introduction, a target of 24,000 annualised sales were predicted for the Australian market, double that of the Avalon’s
eventual sales rate. A further 8,000 vehicles were forecast to be sent abroad to the Middle East
and New Zealand. Starting from 2007, Toyota received a contract to deliver 10,000 export Aurions to the Middle East
.
The Aurion was also judged best large car in the Drive Car of the Year competition for both 2006, 2007 and 2009.
_at-x_sedan_03.jpg)
In 2011, a special edition of the Aurion, called the "White LE" was released and only 250 are to be built. The model is based on the Prodigy, however boasts a unique exterior and interior combination. The White LE is painted Crystal White and has unique alloy wheels, similar to those found on the Australian version Camry Grande. The bodykit is from the Sportivo viarants and the model has unique badging. The interior is a mixture of black and off white on the leather seats and interior panels.
, held in Sydney
. The A$8 million concept car
was a styling exercise previewing the TRD Aurion, which was subsequently released in August 2007. TRD’s first experiment with supercharger technology was with the Toyota Camry
-based 2005 TS-01
concept.
The project's exterior design manager was Lee Moran, a former Ford Australia
designer. He was chosen by Toyota Styling Australia chief Paul Berninger in 2005. One of Moran’s focuses was to reduce the size of the grille and add emphasis to the front bumper line below it. This was done so the car had more of a Formula One
oriented look. In the Toyota wind tunnel in Japan, the vehicle's drag coefficient
was confirmed at 0.30, meaning that the car would operate better aerodynamically
than its non-TRD variants. The TRD also features bold exterior additions that differentiate it with the standard Aurion range, such as exhaust pipes
integrated into the bumper, tinted taillight lenses, and a unique bodykit. Along with the supercharged
3.5-litre V6 engine
outputting 241 kW of power and 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) of torque
, the TRD also incorporates an upgraded suspension
system and tyres
over the standard Aurion models to improve car handling
.
Toyota Australia planned to sell 50–70 TRD Aurion units per month with the majority of the sales coming from Australia. However, the project was unsuccessful, and as of 31 March 2009, TRD Australia halted production of the Aurion TRD (and TRD Hilux), and the division was shut down. When available, the range comprised two variants, the 3500S and 3500SL. The former features performance muffler
s, 19 inch alloy wheels, red alcantara leather seats with black alcantara fabric bolsters and other high-performance upgrades. The range-topping 3500SL adds clearance and reverse parking sensors
, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a colour-coded transmission selection lever
, and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. Furthermore, the SL gains an aluminium
rear bumper reinforcement addition, and is the first production car in the world to use the Eaton
twin-vortices supercharger. This substantially reduces engine noise while bringing gains to power and torque.
and Southeast Asia
, where it is marketed under the Toyota Camry
branding. This model gets a redesigned grille
and is marketed under different trim levels to their Australasian counterparts. Although these vary from country to country, the range consists of the following models in some markets: 2.0 E, 2.0 G, 2.4 E, 2.4 G, 2.4 Sportivo, 2.4 V, 3.5 V, and 3.5 Q. The decimal in the nomenclature denotes the engine displacement
, with the letter representing the level of luxury.
In Thailand
, the 2.0 L models are available in two trim packages: the 2.0 E and 2.0 G. The 2.4 variant is also available in Malaysia, utilizing the 2AZ-FE engine model. The output of this 2.4V model is 123 kW at 6000 rpm with 224 newton metre of torque at 4000 rpm.
In Indonesia
, the Camry is offered with two engines, the 4-cylinder 2.4, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine is offered in G and V trims. The other engine is the 3.5 V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine is only offered in the top-of-the-line Q trim. The Camry has enjoyed success in Indonesia, being the best selling car in its class. The 2.4V and 3.5Q models have been used extensively by the Indonesian government, owning thousands of Camrys in their fleet.
The Camry in the Philippines
offers three grades: the base G, offering a l4 2.4 2AZ-FE engine mated to a 5-speed gate-type automatic transmission
, has 2 SRS
airbags, has fabric seats and has a foot-type parking brake. The 2.4 V is almost the same as the G variant, however, its has a 4-spoke steering wheel with wood grain, 2 SRS
airbags, and has a leather-wrapped wood grain with chrome shift lever and knob. The 3.5 Q is the top-of-the-line segment, offering a 3.5 2GR-FE V6, 24V, DOHC and dual VVT-i
. It is mated to a 6-speed gate-type automatic transmission
, adaptive front lighting system, automatic rain sensor, dual exhaust tail pipe, tri-color/Optitron with multi-information display, 2 SRS
front airbags, side SRS
airbags, and a push start system. All of the variants has an integrated type / tuner
/ in-dash 6 CD changer / MP3
/ WMA
. All of the variants use a foot-type parking brake, welcome the driver whenever the ignition is set to "ON", displaying on the central console "Welcome to Camry". All of the variants also have 4 front and 2 rear speakers.
In Thailand, the hybrid Camry has been available since 2009. Its unique and differs it from other Camry hybrids because the petrol version of the Thai Camry is built using the Aurion fascia, the hybrid version also makes use of the same body.
In Vietnam, the Toyota Aurion was introduced in 2006 and has been available only in sedan form with two different trims: Camry 2.4G and 3.5Q. The 2.4G trim comes with the 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine rated 165 bhp and a 5-speed automatic gear box while the 3.5Q trim is equipped with a 3.5L 2GR-FE engine rated 273.5 bhp and a 6-speed automatic transmission standard. The two trims come with many safety features including brake assist system, Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control (VSC) and front and side airbags The Vietnamese Camry is produced at the Toyota production plant in Phúc Yên
, Vinh Phuc.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
produced by Toyota in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and parts of Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
since 2006. The Aurion, given the model designation XV40 is essentially a Toyota Camry (XV40) with revised front- and rear-end treatment, along with changes to the interior. The Camry-based Aurion is also sold in the majority of East
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
as the Toyota Camry, with the original version of the Camry sold alongside the Aurion in Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. In the previous two markets, the car replaces the Avalon
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion...
model, which can trace its roots back to the early 1990s.
In the Australasian and Middle Eastern markets, to further differentiate the Aurion from its Camry sibling, Toyota equips the Aurion exclusively with a 3.5-litre V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
. With the Camry, only the 2.4-litre four-cylinder model is offered. Previously in these markets, prior to the introduction of the Camry (XV40), Toyota had offered both four- and a six-cylinder powerplants. Along with the naturally aspirated version, Toyota also produced an Australia-only supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
TRD Aurion between 2007 and 2009. Tuned by Toyota Racing Development
Toyota Racing Development
Toyota Racing Development or TRD is the in-house tuning shop for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion cars. TRD is responsible both for improving street cars for more performance and supporting Toyota's racing interests around the world. TRD produces various tuning products and accessories, including...
(TRD), this performance variant was at its release claimed to be the world's most powerful front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
car.
The powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
s used in the Asian specification Camry vary slightly from those of the Aurion. As well as the 3.5-litre V6, two four-cylinder engines are offered in either 2.0-litre or a 2.4-litre form. These engines are mated with a six-, four- and five-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
s respectively.
History of development
Before commencing production of the Aurion, Toyota AustraliaToyota Australia
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, or Toyota Australia, is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, which is based in Japan. TMCA markets Toyota products and manages motorsport, advertising and business operations for Toyota Motor Corporation in Australia...
manufactured the full-size
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
Avalon
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion...
model at its Altona
Altona, Victoria
Altona is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Altona had a population of 9685....
plant in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
until June 2005. Production of the Avalon had begun in 2000, taking much of its basic design and mechanical features from the then six-year-old Avalon model sold in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The Avalon was offered as a larger, more upmarket car than the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
, which it was built alongside. The original sales predictions were not met, with the Avalon failing to challenge rivals such as the Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
and the Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
. The reasoning behind this has been widely attributed to the Avalon's older design and styling, which has been widely described as "bland", as well as the front-wheel drive configuration and smaller engine displacement
Engine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
. In its best year, the Avalon only managed to reach half of Toyota's projected sales target, with many potential buyers opting for the slightly smaller sized V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
Camry, featuring the same engine as the Avalon.
Toyota, discovering that the Australian public wanted something that was modern and designed with consideration to the Australian market, began full-scale planning work on its Avalon replacement in 2002. Toyota Australia realised that no other model being developed at the time for Japan or North America was going to be suitable, and due to the size limitations of the Australian market, a completely indigenous model was unrealisable. However, at that time, Toyota Australia did not have any designers of its own. As a result, the company recruited Paul Beranger in August 2002 to set up Toyota Style Australia (TSA) in a industrial complex
Industrial complex
Industrial complex may refer to:* A factory or collection of buildings relating to industrial production* Animal industrial complex, a term from the critical animal studies coined by Barbara Noske to describe the social production of the institutionalized exploitation of nonhuman animals.*...
located in Dingley Village, Victoria
Dingley Village, Victoria
Dingley Village is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 22 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Kingston...
. TSA first developed the X-Runner and Sportivo Coupe
Toyota Sportivo Coupe
The Toyota Sportivo is a concept car developed by Toyota of Australia. The car is most notable for not only its decidedly high-tech design, but that it was designed by a group of Teenagers . Key design elements include a speedometer in which the speed limit always occupies the 12 o'clock position....
concepts, and in 2003, Nick Hogios, who had previously worked for Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
on designing the XR performance models of the BA Falcon
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...
, was appointed chief designer. TSA's next venture was more significant—a privately developed model based on the Camry XV30—a car that signalled the beginning of the Aurion programme. Codenamed "380L" and developed during the course of 2003, this one-off model was forged by stripping panels and interior components from the donor Camry, and substituting these for TSA-developed versions. Total cost was approximately million. Focus group
Focus group
A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging...
s conducted by Toyota in early 2003 had ranked the Avalon at the bottom of the list when compared to the competing Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...
, and Mitsubishi Magna
Mitsubishi Magna
The Mitsubishi Magna was a mid-size car offered between May 1985 and September 2005 by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited . Manufactured at the Tonsley Park assembly plant, Magna spanned three generations before being replaced by the Mitsubishi 380...
. Later on in the year, the same focus groups were called back and the Avalon was exchanged for the 380L. Overall, the groups ranked the Toyota as their first preference, and according to Beranger, "didn't see the car as a Camry". As such, Toyota Australia deduced that if the 380L was available for purchase there and then, they could sell it alongside the regular Camry as a six-cylinder car under a different name.
During the 380L development, TSA had regular discussions with Toyota Japan on how its Avalon replacement would eventually turn out. Because TSA were an unknown quantity, having never designed a production vehicle, it took the division some time to convince Japan that they could indeed design a car themselves. When the 380L was consigned to a presentation with Japanese Toyota officials, TSA's lead designer Nick Hogios was requested to tender a proposal for the next-generation "042L" Camry design competition. While his submission was not chosen, Hogios was summoned to work on what would become the Aurion, then exclusively referred to as the "Asian" or "prestige" Camry, and codenamed "043L". Due to the success of TSA's earlier concepts and the 380L, Toyota Australia was given the authorisation to manufacture both the regular 042L and 043L Camrys and sell them side-by-side. In Australia however, the regular Camry was to be limited to the four-cylinder engine, and the prestige Camry (later to become the Aurion) to the six
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
. Hogios worked in Japan for nine months designing the prestige Camry, and his final design was a collaborative effort between Japanese and Taiwanese designers, but the car's front-end styling is largely Hogios's own work. While the work in Japan was being undertaken, TSA began to make changes for the Australian Aurion variants. After the design stage was completed, Toyota Australia then commenced work on the development of the car, concurrently developing both the Australian car and the version for Asia. Beranger proclaims that the entire engineering undertaking, "is probably one of the most significant jobs that any subsidiary of Toyota Japan has done anywhere in the world." The Australian variant of the car was codenamed "323L". Despite both cars being essentially identical, Australia was given a different code due to the car occupying a broader range in that market—from a fleet vehicle to a sports-oriented model. In Asia, the car's role is much narrower, being a high-end luxury car.
On 9 February 2006, Toyota Australia unveiled the Aurion alongside the Aurion Sportivo concept at the Melbourne International Motor Show
Australian International Motor Show
The Australian International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in Australia, alternating between the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Prior to the Sydney event in 2010, both cities previously hosted separate annual exhibitions...
at an official press conference
News conference
A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides.-Practice:...
. Toyota dropped the Avalon tag for their new large car, as it had gained a reputation to be an uninspiring car, both in the flesh and to drive. Toyota made use of the "Aurion" name to give the car a fresh start. Aurion means "tomorrow" in Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
, and Aurora translates to "the dawn" in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. The name was chosen after consumer research
Marketing research
Marketing research is "the function that links the consumer, customer, and public to the marketer through information — information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine, and evaluate marketing actions; monitor marketing performance; and improve...
on more than 30 potential names. This gives implications of a completely new car and ties in with Toyota's advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
slogan, "Can't wait for tomorrow".
Design
Aurion takes its doors, windows, roof panels, body sides (including rear quarters) from the Camry XV40. However, the other Aurion panels are unique from the regular Camry. This component sharing also means that Aurion has the same wheelbaseWheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
, front and rear axle track
Axle track
The axle track in automobiles and other wheeled vehicles which have two or more wheels on an axle, is the distance between the centreline of two roadwheels on the same axle, each on the other side of the vehicle...
s, and interior dimensions as well. From the inside, the Aurion also shares a common interior design, which differs from the regular Camry with a redesigned instrument panel
Dashboard
A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....
top half, a foot-operated parking brake, and on some models Optitron driving gauges. The reasoning behind this strategy was to reduce costs, allow the car to be built alongside the Camry, allowing for a simplified manufacturing process.
Toyota claims that the Aurion is designed to Australian tastes, although it has been designed with markets such as Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
in mind. Hogios states that the Aurion follows the traits of current Australian styling, with a tendency to look towards Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an designs for inspiration. In addition, the Aurion, like other recent Toyota vehicles, was designed with Toyota's "vibrant clarity" design language. According to chief designer Hogios, the car was designed with a "vibrant clarity" theory known as "perfect imbalance". This involves body features that act as a counter-point to other body features. Examples of this include intersecting concave and convex surfaces and vertical sculpted features on the front fascia, which are balanced by the horizontal headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
s. The front-end's "double concave architecture" can also be characterised by its protruding bonnet
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
crease line and deep grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
. The same architecture is applied at the rear, with a deep bumper, a clamshell
Bivalve shell
A bivalve shell is part of the body, the exoskeleton or shell, of a bivalve mollusk. In life, the shell of this class of mollusks is composed of two parts, two valves which are hinged together...
-shaped boot
Trunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
lid that envelops over the flanks, dual exhaust pipes
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
and jewelled taillamps.
For certain markets like China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, where Camry sits right below similar-sized Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
cars as a luxury model, it is important for the Aurion to exemplify the traits of such vehicles. With the development of the Aurion, designers produced two separate philosophies, each pitched at a specific niche of the market. The base model AT-X, and luxury Prodigy and Presara variants employ the comfort design, with the more aggressive sports-oriented style found on the Sportivo versions. To meet this requirement, the Sportivo variants feature unique 17 inch alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s, a rear spoiler
Spoiler (automotive)
A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air...
, body kit
Body kit
A body kit or bodykit is a collection of exterior modifications to a car, typically composed of front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers,paint jobs, and sometimes front and rear side guards and roof scoops. There are many companies that offer alternatives to the original factory appearance of...
appendages, and a three-spoke steering wheel. The high-performance TRD models offer a similar sports-oriented design, but are distinguishable by the use of unique body parts. These include a redesigned Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
-inspired front bumper, with integrated foglamps, a unique rear bumper with fixed tailpipes
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
.
Facelift
Toyota of ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
unveiled a reworked version of the East and Southeast Asian-market Camry in June 2009 equipped with a hybrid
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
drivetrain. The revised Aurion-based Camry previewed the Australian Aurion's then upcoming facelift. The updated car features new headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
and taillamp lens clusters with integrated foglamps, along with a redesigned front bumper, grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
insert, and revised interior trim details. Toyota Australia later revealed the updated car as its Aurion on 21 September. While the front-end of the original Aurion was designed with a "double-concave" architecture, the revised version abandons this for an "X-Form" design philosophy, characterised by a lower and wider trapezoidal shaped grille. The rear lamp design, according to Toyota Australia's David Buttner, has "evolved from the twin round design [...] to a parallelogram design and striking diffused LED
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
illumination."
Like the original version, the Aurion continues to offer differing frontal design treatments across the range. From side, the rehashed design is identified by the deletion of bodyside moulding strips and a range of new wheels designs, including the standard fitment of alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s on the base-line AT-X. Interior upgrades in the form of new colour combinations are featured, along with upgraded instruments and gauges
Dashboard
A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....
giving greater turn signal and warning-signal clarity. Revised audio systems, lighting and in-cabin storage are also featured. Prodigy and Presara versions receive a new "linear satin" wood grain
Wood grain
In speaking of wood the term grain refers to the alternating regions of relatively darker and lighter wood resulting from the differing growth parameters occurring in different seasons . The term is used in several ways. Perhaps most important is that in woodworking techniques...
finish.
Safety
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s, traction control
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, brake assist
Brake assist
Brake Assist is a generic term for an automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency situation. The first application was developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and TRW/LucasVarity...
, electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
and Vehicle Stability Control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
come standard. In tests conducted by Australasian New Car Assessment Program
Australasian New Car Assessment Program
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program is an automobile organisation operated by the governments and motoring organisations of Australia and New Zealand to give consumers coherent results on the protection given by vehicles in front and side impact collisions...
(ANCAP), the base model scored a four-star rating, with 30.03 out of 37 points. Toyota caused controversy by not providing a third test vehicle for ANCAP to use for the optional "side-pole impact test". This third test, allows tested vehicles to be eligible for a five star rating if the initial score is high enough. Toyota cited the additional expense of A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
75,000–$100,000 including the car as being unjustifiable, and that they did not agree with the nature of the pole test. The scores given without the optional test indicate that the maximum two points that could have been earned would have being slightly less than needed to give the Aurion a five star rating anyway. Due to Toyota's decision to fit a driver and front passenger seat belt
Seat belt
A seat belt or seatbelt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop...
reminder, along with their decision to fund the optional pole test, the Aurion's safety rating was upgraded to a full five stars from August 2009 production, with a score of 33.03 out of 37.
Powertrains
The Aurion employs a version of Toyota's 2GR-FE V6 engineV6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
that also powers the V6 Camry outside of Australasia. With an engine displacement
Engine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
of 3.5-litres, the 2GR-FE engine is capable of outputting 200 kW and 336 newton metre of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
. Power rises by 4 kW with the use of 95 RON
Octane rating
Octane rating or octane number is a standard measure of the anti-knock properties of a motor or aviation fuel. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating...
"premium" unleaded petrol
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
. Acceleration figures for the car have been recorded at 7.4 seconds from standstill to 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph), and Toyota claims a top speed of 228 kilometres per hour (141.7 mph). The Aurion, which is Euro IV
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
emissions compliant, is rated at 9.9 L/100 km under the Australian ADR 81/01
Australian Design Rules
The Australian Design Rules are national Australian standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft system and emission standards. They have been acclaimed as less arbitrary than those of other countries, and successfully prevented the importation of many dangerous Japanese imports over the years...
fuel consumption
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
test. The dual VVT-i
VVT-i
VVT-i, or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Toyota, similar in performance to the BMW's VANOS. The Toyota VVT-i system replaces the Toyota VVT offered starting in 24 December 1991 on the 5-valve per cylinder 4A-GE engine. The...
3.5-litre 2GR-FE engine paired to Toyota's six-speed U660E automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. This same transmission is also utilised by the supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
TRD
Toyota Racing Development
Toyota Racing Development or TRD is the in-house tuning shop for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion cars. TRD is responsible both for improving street cars for more performance and supporting Toyota's racing interests around the world. TRD produces various tuning products and accessories, including...
variants. These produce 241 kilowatts (323 hp) and 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) of power and torque respectively, and have a combined fuel economy of 10.9 L/100 km.
In some Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n countries where the Aurion is sold as the Toyota Camry, both 2.0 and 2.4-litre powerplants are offered. The naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine is also available in some of these markets. The 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE straight-four
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
has a maximum output of 108 kW of power and 190 newton metre of torque. These figures rise to 127 kW and 224 newton metre when the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE unit is fitted. Of the two four-cylinder motors, the latter is united with Toyota's five-speed U250E automatic, with the U241E four-speed unit reserved for the 2.0-litre model.
| Chassis | Model | Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XV40 | ACV41 | 2.0 L 1AZ-FE inline-four (petrol) | 108 kW | 190 newton metre | 4-speed U241E automatic |
| ACV40 | 2.4 L 2AZ-FE inline-four (petrol) | 127 kW | 224 newton metre | 5-speed U250E automatic | |
| AHV40 | 2.4 L 2AZ-FXE inline-four (hybrid petrol) | 140 kW | See text | 1-speed P311 Toyota U transmission Toyota Motor Corporation's U family is a family of automatic FWD/RWD/4WD transmissions found in later vehicle models.-U140E:*This is the U241E for V6 models.Applications:* 2002–2004 Camry * 2001–2003 Highlander * 1999-2003 Lexus ES 300... CVT |
|
| GSV40 | 3.5 L 2GR-FE Toyota GR engine The Toyota GR engine family is an open-deck, V6 piston engine series. The GR series has a 60° die-cast aluminum block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. This engine series also features 4 valves per cylinder, forged steel connecting rods, one-piece cast camshafts, and a cast aluminum lower intake... V6 (petrol) |
200 kW | 336 newton metre | 6-speed U660E automatic | |
| 3.5 L 2GR-FZE Toyota GR engine The Toyota GR engine family is an open-deck, V6 piston engine series. The GR series has a 60° die-cast aluminum block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. This engine series also features 4 valves per cylinder, forged steel connecting rods, one-piece cast camshafts, and a cast aluminum lower intake... V6 (s/c Supercharger A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,... petrol) |
241 kW | 400 newton metre |
Market
| Year | Units sold |
|---|---|
| 2006 (November–December) | 3,037 |
| 2007 | 22,036 |
| 2008 | 19,562 |
| 2009 | 13,910 |
| Total | 58,545 |
Australasia
Toyota launched the Aurion in AustralasiaAustralasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
, where it competes with the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
, Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
, and the now discontinued front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
Mitsubishi 380
Mitsubishi 380
The Mitsubishi 380 is a mid-size car that was produced by Mitsubishi Motors Australia between 2005 and 2008. It was the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna/Verada line of vehicles first introduced in 1985. The company spent over A$600 million developing and producing the car, which is heavily based...
. The TRD variants were pitched to compete with the Subaru Liberty GT
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
and Mazda 6 MPS. Since its introduction, the Aurion has received numerous awards and positive reviews. In particular, the car has been praised for its good performance mated with comparatively low fuel consumption
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
, and the inclusion of safety and comfort features that are optional on competitor vehicles.
Prior to its introduction, a target of 24,000 annualised sales were predicted for the Australian market, double that of the Avalon’s
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion...
eventual sales rate. A further 8,000 vehicles were forecast to be sent abroad to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and New Zealand. Starting from 2007, Toyota received a contract to deliver 10,000 export Aurions to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
The Aurion was also judged best large car in the Drive Car of the Year competition for both 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Specification levels
- AT-X: Marketed primarily towards fleets buyers, the entry-level AT-X features air conditioningAir conditioningAn air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, power windowPower windowPower windows or electric windows as well as electric or power window lifts are automobile windows which can be raised and lowered by depressing a button or switch, as opposed to using a hand-turned crank handle.- History :Packard introduced the first power windows in the 1940 Packard...
s and mirrors, among others. Overall, the AT-X offers more standard features than the rival Holden Commodore Omega, and undercuts the Commodore's fuel consumptionFuel efficiencyFuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
by nine percent. The Aurion AT-X was awarded the Australia's Best Large Car award in 2006 and 2007; judges described the Aurion as "...a terrific well-rounded package of technology and refinement. Toyota has produced a big six that has continued to outstrip traditional rivals in the Australian market."
- Touring SE: The special editionSpecial editionThe terms special edition, limited edition and variants such as deluxe edition, collector's edition and others, are used as a marketing incentive for various kinds of products, originally published products related to the arts, such as books, prints or recorded music and films, but now including...
Touring SE was launched in October 2007, based on the AT-X. Features gained over the AT-X comprised 16 inch alloy wheelAlloy wheelAlloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s, a rear spoiler, six-disc CD Stacker, a trip computer, dual zone climate control air-conditioning and a leather steering wheel and selection leverGear stickA gear stick is the lever used to change gear in a vehicle, such as an automobile, with manual transmission or several common forms of automatic transmission.The device is used to change gear; in a manual transmission vehicle this will normally be done whilst depressing...
. Front and rear parking sensorsParking sensorsParking sensors are proximity sensors for road vehicles which can alert the driver to unseen obstacles during parking manoeuvres.Parking sensors generally fall into two categories.1. Electromagnetic parking sensors...
, and dual-zone air conditioning were also fitted. The Touring SE was reintroduced in identical form in April 2008, again in October 2008, and then finally in April 2009. These 2009 versions differed slightly, with 17 inch in lieu of 16 inch wheels, the Sportivo grille, and sports front and rear lightsAutomotive lightingThe lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides, rear, and in some cases the top of the motor vehicle...
. The price remains unchanged from the 2007 original. At the same time, a Touring SE variant of the Camry sedan was released with similar upgrades.
- Sportivo: Available in two flavours for the Australian market, the Sportivo is the Aurion's sports oriented variant. The introductory Sportivo SX6 features a specially designed sports body kitBody kitA body kit or bodykit is a collection of exterior modifications to a car, typically composed of front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers,paint jobs, and sometimes front and rear side guards and roof scoops. There are many companies that offer alternatives to the original factory appearance of...
, sports suspension, sports seats and 17 inch alloy wheels and tinted sports headlights. The Sportivo ZR6 also shares the same "Sportivo" exterior design, but is specified high, with electrically adjustable leather sports seats, parking sensors and dual-zone climate control air conditioning.
- Prodigy: Building onto what the AT-X offers, the semi-luxury Prodigy, branded the Touring in New Zealand and the Middle East, features an electrically adjustable driver's seatPower seatA power seat in an automobile is a front seat which can be adjusted by using a switch or joystick and a set of small electric motors. Most cars with this feature have controls for the driver's seat only, though almost all luxury cars also have power controls for the front passenger seat.In addition...
, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, parking sensors, wood grainWood grainIn speaking of wood the term grain refers to the alternating regions of relatively darker and lighter wood resulting from the differing growth parameters occurring in different seasons . The term is used in several ways. Perhaps most important is that in woodworking techniques...
interior and full leather upholsteryUpholsteryUpholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
. The Prodigy also sees a chrome grille, and 16 inch alloy wheels along with front fog lamps as standard.
- Presara: the luxury-oriented Presara features a lavishly appointed interior with features such as electric seats with a two-memory setting, a moonroofSunroofAn automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...
, push-start engine operation, a reversing cameraBackup cameraA backup camera is a special type of video camera that is produced specifically for the purpose of being attached to the rear of a vehicle to aid in backing up. Backup cameras are alternatively known as 'reversing cameras' or 'rear view cameras'....
, and satellite navigationGlobal Navigation Satellite SystemA satellite navigation or SAT NAV system is a system of satellites that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line-of-sight by radio from...
. The Presara, marketed under the Grande moniker in New Zealand and the Middle East, also features high-intensity discharge headlamps with auto levelling front lighting system. When reversing, the side mirrors face down towards the ground to assist the driver when parking in places where space is compromised.
In 2011, a special edition of the Aurion, called the "White LE" was released and only 250 are to be built. The model is based on the Prodigy, however boasts a unique exterior and interior combination. The White LE is painted Crystal White and has unique alloy wheels, similar to those found on the Australian version Camry Grande. The bodykit is from the Sportivo viarants and the model has unique badging. The interior is a mixture of black and off white on the leather seats and interior panels.
TRD Aurion
Toyota unveiled the Aurion Sports Concept at the 2006 Australian International Motor ShowAustralian International Motor Show
The Australian International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in Australia, alternating between the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Prior to the Sydney event in 2010, both cities previously hosted separate annual exhibitions...
, held in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. The A$8 million concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
was a styling exercise previewing the TRD Aurion, which was subsequently released in August 2007. TRD’s first experiment with supercharger technology was with the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
-based 2005 TS-01
Toyota Camry TS-01
The Toyota Camry TS-01 is a concept car based on the Toyota MCV30 Camry. It was designed and built mainly using resources of Toyota Australia, and was unveiled at the 2005 Melbourne International Motor Show in Australia....
concept.
The project's exterior design manager was Lee Moran, a former Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
designer. He was chosen by Toyota Styling Australia chief Paul Berninger in 2005. One of Moran’s focuses was to reduce the size of the grille and add emphasis to the front bumper line below it. This was done so the car had more of a Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
oriented look. In the Toyota wind tunnel in Japan, the vehicle's drag coefficient
Drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
was confirmed at 0.30, meaning that the car would operate better aerodynamically
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
than its non-TRD variants. The TRD also features bold exterior additions that differentiate it with the standard Aurion range, such as exhaust pipes
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
integrated into the bumper, tinted taillight lenses, and a unique bodykit. Along with the supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
3.5-litre V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
outputting 241 kW of power and 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, the TRD also incorporates an upgraded suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
system and tyres
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
over the standard Aurion models to improve car handling
Car handling
Automobile handling and vehicle handling are descriptions of the way wheeled vehicles perform transverse to their direction of motion, particularly during cornering and swerving. It also includes their stability when moving at rest. Handling and braking are the major components of a vehicle's...
.
Toyota Australia planned to sell 50–70 TRD Aurion units per month with the majority of the sales coming from Australia. However, the project was unsuccessful, and as of 31 March 2009, TRD Australia halted production of the Aurion TRD (and TRD Hilux), and the division was shut down. When available, the range comprised two variants, the 3500S and 3500SL. The former features performance muffler
Muffler
A muffler is a device for reducing the amount of noise emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. A US Patent for an Exhaust muffler for engines was granted to Milton and Marshall Reeves in 1897....
s, 19 inch alloy wheels, red alcantara leather seats with black alcantara fabric bolsters and other high-performance upgrades. The range-topping 3500SL adds clearance and reverse parking sensors
Parking sensors
Parking sensors are proximity sensors for road vehicles which can alert the driver to unseen obstacles during parking manoeuvres.Parking sensors generally fall into two categories.1. Electromagnetic parking sensors...
, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a colour-coded transmission selection lever
Gear stick
A gear stick is the lever used to change gear in a vehicle, such as an automobile, with manual transmission or several common forms of automatic transmission.The device is used to change gear; in a manual transmission vehicle this will normally be done whilst depressing...
, and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. Furthermore, the SL gains an aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
rear bumper reinforcement addition, and is the first production car in the world to use the Eaton
Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation is a global diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. The company is a leading provider of electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment;...
twin-vortices supercharger. This substantially reduces engine noise while bringing gains to power and torque.
China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia
Toyota also manufactures and markets the Aurion in parts of EastEast Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, where it is marketed under the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
branding. This model gets a redesigned grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
and is marketed under different trim levels to their Australasian counterparts. Although these vary from country to country, the range consists of the following models in some markets: 2.0 E, 2.0 G, 2.4 E, 2.4 G, 2.4 Sportivo, 2.4 V, 3.5 V, and 3.5 Q. The decimal in the nomenclature denotes the engine displacement
Engine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
, with the letter representing the level of luxury.
In Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, the 2.0 L models are available in two trim packages: the 2.0 E and 2.0 G. The 2.4 variant is also available in Malaysia, utilizing the 2AZ-FE engine model. The output of this 2.4V model is 123 kW at 6000 rpm with 224 newton metre of torque at 4000 rpm.
In Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, the Camry is offered with two engines, the 4-cylinder 2.4, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine is offered in G and V trims. The other engine is the 3.5 V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine is only offered in the top-of-the-line Q trim. The Camry has enjoyed success in Indonesia, being the best selling car in its class. The 2.4V and 3.5Q models have been used extensively by the Indonesian government, owning thousands of Camrys in their fleet.
The Camry in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
offers three grades: the base G, offering a l4 2.4 2AZ-FE engine mated to a 5-speed gate-type automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, has 2 SRS
SRS
-Organizations and companies:* SRS Labs, an American audio technology engineering company* Savez Radio-Amatera Srbije, an amateur radio organization in Serbia* Sea Research Society, a non-profit research institution for diving and underwater archaeology...
airbags, has fabric seats and has a foot-type parking brake. The 2.4 V is almost the same as the G variant, however, its has a 4-spoke steering wheel with wood grain, 2 SRS
SRS
-Organizations and companies:* SRS Labs, an American audio technology engineering company* Savez Radio-Amatera Srbije, an amateur radio organization in Serbia* Sea Research Society, a non-profit research institution for diving and underwater archaeology...
airbags, and has a leather-wrapped wood grain with chrome shift lever and knob. The 3.5 Q is the top-of-the-line segment, offering a 3.5 2GR-FE V6, 24V, DOHC and dual VVT-i
VVT-i
VVT-i, or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Toyota, similar in performance to the BMW's VANOS. The Toyota VVT-i system replaces the Toyota VVT offered starting in 24 December 1991 on the 5-valve per cylinder 4A-GE engine. The...
. It is mated to a 6-speed gate-type automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, adaptive front lighting system, automatic rain sensor, dual exhaust tail pipe, tri-color/Optitron with multi-information display, 2 SRS
SRS
-Organizations and companies:* SRS Labs, an American audio technology engineering company* Savez Radio-Amatera Srbije, an amateur radio organization in Serbia* Sea Research Society, a non-profit research institution for diving and underwater archaeology...
front airbags, side SRS
SRS
-Organizations and companies:* SRS Labs, an American audio technology engineering company* Savez Radio-Amatera Srbije, an amateur radio organization in Serbia* Sea Research Society, a non-profit research institution for diving and underwater archaeology...
airbags, and a push start system. All of the variants has an integrated type / tuner
Tuner
Tuner may refer to someone or something which adjusts or configures a mechanical, electronic, or musical device.- Electronic :* Antenna tuner, a device to adjust the resonance frequency of an antenna or transmission line...
/ in-dash 6 CD changer / MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
/ WMA
WMA
WMA may refer to:- Organizations :*Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, a nonprofit trade association for owners of manufactured home communities in California*Western Marble Arch, a synagogue in central London...
. All of the variants use a foot-type parking brake, welcome the driver whenever the ignition is set to "ON", displaying on the central console "Welcome to Camry". All of the variants also have 4 front and 2 rear speakers.
In Thailand, the hybrid Camry has been available since 2009. Its unique and differs it from other Camry hybrids because the petrol version of the Thai Camry is built using the Aurion fascia, the hybrid version also makes use of the same body.
In Vietnam, the Toyota Aurion was introduced in 2006 and has been available only in sedan form with two different trims: Camry 2.4G and 3.5Q. The 2.4G trim comes with the 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine rated 165 bhp and a 5-speed automatic gear box while the 3.5Q trim is equipped with a 3.5L 2GR-FE engine rated 273.5 bhp and a 6-speed automatic transmission standard. The two trims come with many safety features including brake assist system, Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control (VSC) and front and side airbags The Vietnamese Camry is produced at the Toyota production plant in Phúc Yên
Phuc Yen
Phúc Yên is a town district of Vinh Phuc province in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. As of 2003 the district had a population of 83,352. The district covers an area of 120 km². The district capital lies at Phuc Yen....
, Vinh Phuc.