Autoblog

Click image for TRD Aurion gallery. Click here and here for more, too.

A year after it was initially shown in Sydney as the Toyota Aurion Sports Concept, and a few months after a closer-to-production version was displayed in Melbourne, Toyota Australia has officially launched the long-awaited TRD Aurion. While TRD-editions of existing Toyota vehicles have been available in many markets over the years, the TRD Aurion is the first vehicle worldwide to be sold as a TRD -- now established as a new, separate brand under Toyota, like AMG is worldwide for Mercedes, and HSV and FPV are for GM and Ford in Australia.

Viewed as a step up from the Toyota Aurion Sportivo in terms of both equipment, appearance, and performance, the TRD Aurion's greatest asset is its Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) Supercharger, which sees its first production car application here. The blower gives the TRD Aurion over 323 horsepower and a torque peak of 296 lb-ft, which is channeled forward via a six-speed automatic with sequential shift. 0-100km/h (62 mph) takes 6.1 seconds, and the car is limited to a top speed of 155 mph. Neither number is particularly earth-shattering compared to other specialty models, but TRD says that the goal was to achieve all-around balance rather than all-out performance. Combined-cycle fuel economy for the TRD Aurion is 21.5 US MPG.

Follow the jump for more, including multiple press releases from Toyota Australia.

[Source: Toyota Australia]





All TRD Aurions get the visual makeover you see above (19" wheels, body kit, special badging), TRD brakes, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a TRD exhaust system. Within the TRD Aurion range, there are two variants on offer. The 3500S is the lower-priced car, which is positioned so that it isn't hit with Australia's luxury tax. Red leather/suede sport seats and interior trim are its most obvious visual indicators. Customers can step up to the 3500SL (the L is for Luxury, shown to the right), which is more expensive and boasts additional standard features the S doesn't have, as well as a more upscale option package that includes satellite navigation. Pricewise, the 3500S starts at $56,990 AUD and the 3500SL opens at $61,500 AUD. Dear Toyota: how about sending us this in LHD as the TRD Camry?

PRESS RELEASES:

TOYOTA INJECTS PERFORMANCE INTO ITS RANGE

Toyota Australia has injected 241kW of style, passion and performance into its range with the launch of the TRD brand and its first model, the supercharged TRD Aurion.

Locally designed and built, TRD Aurion is the most powerful Toyota ever seen in Australia.

It will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds and is speed-limited to a maximum of 250km/h.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, said the TRD Aurion represented "Toyota plus".

"The TRD involvement elevates Aurion's dynamic capabilities while retaining Toyota's traditional quality, durability and reliability," Mr Buttner said.

"You've got Toyota - plus added style and performance."

Toyota Style Australia styled TRD Aurion's exterior and interior.

TRD Aurion is offered in two grades: 3500S, for sport, and 3500SL, after sports luxury.

Both are fitted with the 241kW supercharged engine, sports suspension, performance brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, TRD front and rear bumpers, side skirt and rear spoilers, sports seats, power driver's seat, alloy pedals, TRD scuff plates, air conditioning and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 3500S - with an RRP of $56,990* - is strategically positioned below the luxury-car tax threshold.

The upper-grade 3500SL has added features including Smart Entry and TRD Smart Start, full leather interior, clearance and reverse parking sonars, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, six-way power front passenger seat and TRD floor mats.

The 3500SL has an RRP of $61,500*.

Mr Buttner said the price, specification, value and performance of the TRD Aurion would position it against both local and imported competition.

"TRD Aurion matches the size of the locally produced sports sedans that are priced above it, and it exceeds the performance of its imported rivals," he said.

TRD Aurion is the world's first production car to use the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) supercharger.

"It offers new levels of efficiency and quietness," Mr Buttner said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TWO MODEL GRADES FOR TRD AURION

New TRD Aurion has two model grades, both with supercharged quad cam V6 engine and six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission.

The two model grades are TRD Aurion 3500S and 3500SL.

Both models have a 241kW supercharged engine, TRD unique sports suspension, TRD performance brakes, TRD unique 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/35ZR19 Dunlop Sport Maxx performance tyres, TRD unique engine cover and TRD sports exhaust system with integrated exhaust outlets.

Interior features in 3500S include TRD red steering wheel, TRD scuff plates, red leather/suede sports seats featuring revised seat bolsters and leather door trim.

Unique exterior features include TRD front and rear bumpers, body-coloured rear spoilers and side skirts, and TRD 3500S grade badge.

The 3500S comes off the main Altona production line with rear underbody bracing, underbody aerodynamic enhancements, smoked headlamps and rear combination lamps, alloy sports pedals, multi-function trip computer, premium Optitron combination meter and six-disc CD changer.

In addition, TRD Aurion 3500S has Data Dot security.

There is one option for the 3500S: the combined option of moonroof, rear personal lamps and sun visors with lamps.

TRD Aurion 3500SL has higher specifications, including dual-zone air conditioning with push-button heater and ventilation controls, six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, Smart Entry and Push Start, and clearance and reversing sonar.

TRD Aurion 3500SL's additional features over 3500S also include plum-coloured full leather seat trim, and colour-keyed (dark grey/plum) TRD leather-bound steering wheel and gearshift knob.

The 3500SL model's additional specifications also include TRD piano black door and dashboard highlights, TRD 3500SL grade badge, unique 3500SL grade bumper highlights, TRD floor mats and a unique TRD alloy wheel silver finish.

TRD Aurion 3500SL also has the added feature of a rear bumper reinforcement to optimise body rigidity and improve handling.

There are two option packs for the 3500SL: a combined option of moonroof, rear personal lamps and sun visors with lamps, and the combined option of those three features with satellite navigation system and Bluetooth™* mobile phone compatibility (satellite navigation units come with four-disc CD changer).

TRD AURION ENGINE BALANCES PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY

New TRD Aurion has a supercharged engine for the best balance of performance, driveability and economy.

TRD chose supercharging over turbocharging for the new performance Aurion to optimise throttle response and torque.

It is the first original equipment (OE) application in the world for the new four-lobe Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) supercharger.

TRD Aurion's supercharged 3.5-litre dual-VVT-i Quad Cam 2GR-FE V6 engine delivers 241kW of power at 6400rpm and 400Nm of torque at 4000rpm, on 98-octane premium unleaded petrol.

The supercharged engine has more than 300Nm of torque available from 1250rpm through to redline.

It is matched to an intelligent six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

The supercharged engine gives TRD Aurion 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.1 seconds and standing 400m acceleration of 14.2 seconds.

The vehicle has been tested for fuel economy to the ADR81/01 standard, returning 10.9 litres/100km* on the combined cycle.

TRD Aurion has been developed and tested to meet Toyota original equipment quality, durability and reliability (QDR) standards.

It has been subjected to testing in extreme heat and cold, as well as a 100-hour dynamometer maximum load test and 10,000km V-max test.

TRD CHOOSES SUPERCHARGER FOR PERFORMANCE AURION

New TRD Aurion is Toyota's first supercharged model in Australia.

TRD chose supercharging over turbocharging to achieve instantaneous engine response and impressive low-down torque.

At just 1800rpm, the supercharged TRD Aurion engine matches the 336Nm peak torque of the naturally aspirated Aurion engine.

TRD Aurion's Eaton TVS supercharger is driven by a V-belt, off the engine's crankshaft.

According to a Toyota Australia survey conducted in 2001 using vehicles with data loggers, Australian driving preferences are unique.

Australian drivers want instantaneous response and low-down torque - to accelerate briskly to the speed limit like Americans.

But they also want to brake late into corners and maintain corner speed, like European drivers.

TRD worked with leading Melbourne-based motorsport engineering company Harrop Engineering Australia on supercharger development.

Harrop is one of only two Eaton agents worldwide.

Its applications engineering role in the TRD Aurion engine development included supercharger selection, design and casting of the supercharger casing and inlet manifold, and design of the drive-belt pulleys.

It also carried out the finite element analysis for stress in the engine and airflow analysis.

TRD's guidelines in the supercharged engine development included retaining the original equipment Aurion fuel rail and minimising the number of unique service tools.

TRD AURION HAS NEW EATON TVS SUPERCHARGER

TRD Aurion is the first OE vehicle to feature Eaton's new-generation four-lobe supercharger technology.

It has the new Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices System) supercharger.

The new four-lobe rotor Eaton TVS design offers significant advantages over three-lobe supercharger designs.

Its key benefit is greater thermal efficiency, which results in a lower inlet manifold temperature, improved charge density and increased performance.

Other benefits include a higher pressure ratio, increased airflow capacity for the same supercharger package size, increased operating range (rpm), higher efficiency and quieter operation, improved fuel economy at cruising speeds and instantaneous boost response.

The four lobes have 160 degrees of twist over their length, compared with 60 degrees in Eaton's current three-lobe supercharger designs.

The large lobe twist allows for a larger inlet port, improved airflow and a larger useable outlet port area.

The supercharger installation in TRD Aurion includes a specially developed sports muffler, with a 15 per cent reduction in back pressure compared with the OE Aurion muffler.

The muffler has been tuned for a sporty note while maintaining acceptable drive-by noise levels.

Development of the supercharged 2GR-FE engine has resulted in a unique engine calibration.

It is Toyota Australia's first in-house engine calibration.

This includes:


* fast throttle response, achieved by power enrichment and TRD pedal mapping;

* Euro IV emissions compliance, achieved by OE fuelling strategy at cruising speeds;

* low fuel consumption by using 98 RON fuel with active knock control.

UNIQUE PERFORMANCE BRAKE PACKAGE FOR TRD AURION

TRD Aurion has adopted a TRD-specific brake system for increased performance, better feel and a high degree of modulation.

TRD engineers developed the system in Australia with supplier PBR.

The TRD Aurion brake system includes new disc rotors front and rear, new aluminium calipers front and rear, and performance friction material.

TRD Aurion has 325mm by 32mm ventilated front discs with twin-piston aluminium calipers.

The Aurion Sportivo has 296mm by 28mm ventilated front discs and single-piston cast-iron calipers.

At the rear, TRD Aurion has 310mm by 18mm ventilated discs and single-piston aluminium calipers, replacing 286mm by 10mm solid discs and cast-iron calipers on the Sportivo.

Ferodo HP 1000 performance pads are used front and rear on TRD Aurion.

TRD AURION HAS UNIQUE SUSPENSION PACKAGE

New TRD Aurion has a unique Australian-developed suspension package, designed to deliver a dynamic, rewarding and high-quality driving experience.

It is based on the TRD suspension philosophy of matching spring and damper performance to provide increased control, agility and response while delivering a high-quality sports ride.

The suspension calibration is based on ensuring all the suspension elements work towards the focus of control.

TRD Aurion has increased spring rates front and rear, compared with donor Aurion Sportivo.

The front spring rate has been increased by 11 per cent and the rear spring rate by 10.5 per cent.

Ride height has been reduced on average by 12mm.

The dampers have TRD-specific damping force curves, with increased front rebound damping, and increased rear damper force in both bound and rebound.

The new damper curves improve body control while also making improvements in ride quality and the feeling of quality and solidarity.

The stabiliser bars are as per Sportivo: 25mm diameter front and 16mm diameter rear.

However, TRD Aurion also has the body control benefit of TRD-specific tuning for the internal rebound spring in the rear damper units.

The revised tuning means the internal rebound spring has less free travel and a retuned rate to invoke earlier and more frequent engagement, which improves body control without compromising ride.

The TRD Aurion rebound spring assists the damper units to better control vehicle roll, steering response and overall dynamic balance during handling manoeuvres.

The final calibration balances ride quality with damping force specification.

In addition to its new suspension calibration, TRD Aurion has new wheel alignment specifications front and rear.

It has increased negative camber for improved yaw response and agility.

Front toe-in has been increased for improved steering feel and response.

The rear suspension has neutral rear toe, to improve initial turn-in, nimbleness and responsiveness.

The high-grade TRD Aurion 3500SL has a stiffer rear bumper reinforcement than 3500S to increase steering rigidity on centre, reduce impact shake and reduce audible impact frequency.

This results in a feeling of higher quality, with a European taut body feel and a tighter dynamic experience.

The reinforcement is an extruded aluminium member that replaces the standard pressed steel bumper cross-member.

TRD Aurion's wheel and brake designs also contribute to the vehicle's dynamic performance.

The 19x8-inch aluminium alloy wheels are designed to improve brake ventilation and vehicle dynamics, while preserving impact resilience.

The tyres are 245/35ZR19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx for high stiffness and optimum response and control.

The SP Sport Maxx is Dunlop's number one performance tyre.

These ultra-high-performance, low-profile tyres were chosen for maximum dry grip and wet-weather performance.

Advanced compounds, multi-radius tread design, construction and tread-pattern design ensure maximum wet and dry handling, sharp dynamic response and low tyre noise.

TRD Aurion's new brake package with aluminium calipers provides increased braking power without any penalty in unsprung weight (and no increase on the force needed to control the wheel when it strikes a bump).