Most News Car: New Toyota Aurion: In Depth (AU)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

New Toyota Aurion: In Depth (AU)

Aurion offered in five grades

Toyota's new Aurion range has five models, all with 3.5-litre Quad Cam V6 engine and six-speed sequential-style automatic transmission. The five grades in ascending order of equipment level are: AT-X, Sportivo, SX6, Prodigy, Sportivo ZR6 and Presara.
All Aurion models have the 200kW dual-VVT-i engine, sequential style shift function on the ECT, six SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), and ABS with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) - known as AB-i or Active Braking with intelligence.
They also have:

factory-fitted air conditioning with pollen filter
power driver's seat (slide, recline, height and lumbar support adjustment)
telescopic as well as tilt steering adjustment
steering wheel-mounted audio controls
in-dash auto shift position indicator
map lamps
impact-sensing fuel cut-off
cruise control
power windows and mirrors
remote central locking
security alarm
auto headlamps-on
dual exhaust
adjustable rear ventilation vents
front seat-back pockets
dual centre console storage panel
folding rear-seat centre armrest with two cupholders
MP3/WMA CD audio capability and lockable rear seat centre access hatch to the boot

These features are standard equipment in AT-X grade. AT-X's equipment also includes projector-type low-beam headlamps, rear LED combination lamps, Optitron meters, 16-inch diameter steel wheels and six-speaker audio system with CD/tuner. AT-X options are 16-inch alloy wheels, the combination of alloy wheels and rear wing spoiler, and metallic paint.

Prodigy standard features over AT-X include:

dual-zone auto air conditioning with external temperature reading
push-button heater/ventilation controls and LCD HVAC display
Premium Optitron instruments
16-inch alloy wheels
front foglamps
chrome radiator grille insert and inside door handles
leather seat and door trim
woodgrain inserts in the instrument panel and centre console
six-CD in-dash multi-changer
six-way power-adjustable front-passenger seats (including lumbar support)
multi-function trip computer
four-spoke leather-bound steering wheel with multi-info controls
leather gear shift knob
flocked pillar garnishes
body-coloured mudflaps
tilt-adjustable front head restraints
clearance and rear reversing sonar

Two options are offered for Prodigy - the combination of moonroof, personal rear lamps and sunvisors with lamps, and metallic paint.
Sportivo SX6 standard features over AT-X include:

sports suspension and additional rear bracing
17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres
sports headlamps and rear combination lamps
sports radiator grille
front foglamps
rear wing spoiler
alloy-look sports pedals
aero kit (front bumper/spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt)
sports front seats with "Atomic" fabric
black sports interior trim
multi-function trip computer
three-spoke leather-bound steering wheel with multi-info controls
leather gear shift knob
additional underbody aerodynamic enhancements
six-CD in-dash multi-changer
external temperature reading
"Sportivo" metallic front and rear door scuff plates
premium Optitron instruments
net-type front seat-back pockets
alloy spare wheel
metallic-look finish on instrument panel and doors

Options for Aurion SX6 are the combination of moonroof, rear personal lamps and lamps for the vanity mirrors, and metallic paint.
Sportivo ZR6 has the additional features, over SX6, of:

dual-zone auto air conditioning
push-button HVAC controls and LCD HVAC display
black leather "Crossbar" seat trim
leather door trim with metallic-look highlights
two front and four rear clearance and reversing sonars
six-way adjustable power front passenger's seat
smart entry (including boot release) and push start
chrome inside door handles
metallic/mica paint

Sportivo ZR6's options are the combination moonroof, rear personal lamps and lamps for the vanity mirrors, and the same combination with the addition of Bluetooth-enabled AVN Satellite Navigation.

Top-of-the-range Presara includes the following features, over and above Prodigy grade:

17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres
spare alloy wheel
HVAC and Bluetooth controls on steering wheel
exterior chrome door handles
sunvisors with lamps
telematics with three-year service subscription
electro chromatic interior rear-view mirror
rain-sensing windscreen wipers
reverse camera
driver's seat and exterior mirror position memory (two settings)
auto-tilt exterior mirrors on reverse
smart entry (including boot release) and Push start
AVN Satellite Navigation with Bluetooth
metallic/mica paint
power rear sunshade
auto-levelling HID headlamps with washers
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
four-spoke leather and woodgrain steering wheel
front and rear door "Aurion" scuff plates
chrome rear garnish
moonroof

Locally made for domestic and export markets

The Australian-built Aurion V6 large car is destined to become a feature in many export markets as well as the Australian domestic scene. Aurion is built in Toyota Australia's state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Altona, Melbourne, alongside the four-cylinder Camry. Both cars are manufactured for the domestic market and in left and right-hand drive for export markets including the Middle East. Aurion goes on sale in Australia from November and the first exports will be shipped within a few weeks.

New Camry was launched to the domestic market in August and export sales began in September. The Altona plant has been substantially upgraded to meet the projected export and domestic sales of the two new cars. Toyota Australia has invested $450 million to lift production capacity from 110,000 vehicles to 140,000 a year. Export is a vital part of those plans because the plant's capacity clearly exceeds the demands of the local market.

Toyota Australia's chairman emeritus John Conomos said the investment includes a new global bodyline in the weld shop, new bumper manufacturing facility and a range of other improvements throughout the manufacturing area. "Both the Aurion V6 and four-cylinder Camry are built at Altona by Australians who are justifiably proud of the quality of the vehicles they produce," Mr Conomos said. "Next year, we expect to export close to 80,000 cars - and we've already got substantial orders for the new Aurion V6. Australian-built Aurion V6 sedans will be sold in the Middle East and we expect strong demand. Around 10 per cent of the export output of Altona will be devoted to Aurion, which recognises the vehicle's strong global appeal."

Mr Conomos said the flexibility of the Altona plant is an important part of Toyota Australia's plans. "In this fluid market, we have the best of both worlds," Mr Conomos said. "We are the only local manufacturer to produce both a four-cylinder car and a six-cylinder model. That gives us the unique ability to react to market conditions, both domestically and in our export activities," he said.

Toyota link saves on insurance

Toyota Financial Services has offered a 'confidence discount' to support the release of Toyota Link on the Aurion Presara. Toyota Insurance will waive its standard policy excess if the Aurion Presara or a Toyota Link-equipped Toyota vehicle is stolen*. The offer represents a potential saving of between $250 and $500, depending on the State in which the vehicle is registered. This benefit is available to all Toyota owners who comprehensively insure their Toyota Link-equipped Toyota vehicle with Toyota Insurance.

"With Toyota Link the chances of the vehicle being stolen are reduced, and if it is stolen the likelihood of recovery is substantially improved," said Toyota Insurance General Manager Peter Jones. "This reduces the cost of insuring the vehicle and allows us to offer the excess waiver. It is a tangible financial benefit in the event that the Toyota vehicle is stolen."

The benefits of Toyota Insurance's comprehensive motor vehicle policy include*:

replacement of the customer's Aurion or any other Toyota vehicle if it is a total loss, so long as it is less than three years old and it has travelled less than 100,000 km.
a Toyota Genuine parts guarantee, and a lifetime guarantee on all insurance repairs, provided the customer remains the owner of the vehicle
emergency travel and accommodation expenses
car rental costs of up to $75 per day, for up to 14 days, if the vehicle is stolen
no claim, no-fault bonus protection
cover for personal items within the stolen vehicle, up to $500
cover for baby seats and capsules in the vehicle, up to $500
up to $20 million legal liability protection for damage to other people's property.
24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to Claims customer service and "at scene" driver accident assistance

Toyota Insurance is underwritten by Aioi Insurance Co. Ltd, a member of the Toyota Group of Companies. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement for this product before making any decision in relation to it.
*Subject to the terms and conditions of the Toyota Insurance Motor Vehicle Insurance policy.