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08/20/2007, 3:39 PM

Performance

Toyota launches TRD Aurion

Toyota has officially launched the long-awaited TRD Aurion in Australia today. While TRD-editions of select Toyota vehicles have been available in several markets for years, the TRD Aurion is the first vehicle worldwide to be sold as a TRD, now established as a separate brand under Toyota. This is similar to the setup that Mercedes has with AMG worldwide. The Aurion is based on the Toyota Camry.

In addition to the changes in equipment, appearance, and performance from the Toyota Aurion Sportivo, the TRD version also uses an Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) Supercharger, a first for a production car. Power from the 3.5 liter V6 is rated at 329 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The result is a 6.1 second sprint from 0-62 and a top speed of 155 mph.


The TRD Aurion will compete against the V8 powered Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, with a price stating around $56,990.

 
 

08/20, 3:58 PM

posted by:

Zhenya_Gatech

Thats not a lot of power, considering its a SUPERCHARGED 3.5 V6
whats up with that TuRD?

08/20, 4:11 PM

posted by:

67_L-88

Why does it take 6.1 seconds yo hit 62 m.p,h, . Since this is based off the camry, I would guess they would weigh somewhat the same, yet Car and driver posted 0-60 times of 5.8 seconds in the naturally aspirated V-6 camry. So, Australians, are you really gonna pay extra for a slower car? Unless this car has way better handling, one would have to be pretty stupid to buy it

08/20, 4:12 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Isn’t that a Lexus? Why are they calling it a Toyta? I’m confused - but it is bland as usual so they didn’t let me down in that regard.

08/20, 4:32 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

LEXUS is mainly a US brand. I think they use it in Europe as well. The brand name is not used everywhere in the world.

If that car were to come here it would likely be sold as a LEXUS, but that is unlikely given it would overlap badly with either the IS or the GS or both.

08/20, 4:37 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

I hope they sell it here, as a TOYOTA

Commodore: you’ve reson to be confused — they’re the same cars. the faux-luxury division has 0 dedicated models.

Jome jdm cars they don’t sell here as toyotas, but don’t be fooled.

This Aurion looks impressive, though.

08/20, 4:43 PM

posted by:

autonutt

This is basically a Camry (which is also sold in Australia, I believe) with restyled front and rear and more luxurious appointments.. it does not share the bodywork with the Lexus ES. I don’t see why TRD couldn’t offer this as a TRD Camry in North America, the sheetmetal changes don’t seem any more drastic than M-B would make to one of its AMG models.

08/20, 4:44 PM

posted by:

Mclaren19p

People tend to underestimate their performance figures, so that amount of power is going to make it much quicker than the Camry. I like it, it suits most driving needs seeing that we are mostly in traffic and have to negotiate the city. however, I do wish it was rear-wheel drive, I know Toyota can do it.

08/20, 4:53 PM

posted by:

MurcieMe

The front and rear end of this car is far more attractive than the melted-in-the-sun look we get here in North America. It seems as though the power injection doesn’t do much for performance though, and I’m sure it’s still little more than a boring ride. But still, why can’t they give everyone the better looking car?

08/20, 5:01 PM

posted by:

RicardoHead

The freakin Toyota TuRD.

08/20, 5:13 PM

posted by:

Kaizen

I’ve shown the Aurion to people at work and they don’t believe Toyota actually builds it because it’s so much better looking.

08/20, 5:26 PM

posted by:

thegriffon

There are two versions of the new Camry—the version familar to Americans (V4 A), built in Kentucky, Japan and Australia (4-cylinder); and a more conservative version built in Thailand, China etc. (the “Asian” Camry—V4 J). Toyota Australia builds the latter version with the V6 engine, but calls it an Aurion. Aside from the revised front end and tail lamps (and RHD of course) it is exactly the same as the V6 Camry built and sold in America.

08/20, 6:00 PM

posted by:

mbftw

Too much power to front wheels!!

08/20, 6:48 PM

posted by:

jJayC08

I was about ready to say the same thing…

Is this vehicle still front wheel drive? That’s indeed alot of power going to the front wheels.
If I had the choice between the Aurion, Falcon and Commidore, I would probably choose the Falcon. I don’t know much about these three vehicles, but I just like the Falcons styling better, and I tend to be a Ford guy. I do know that the Falcon is pretty big.

08/20, 7:03 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Well Toyota, Lexus, same thing. Just a Camry/ES badgejob with more power (or less?…why is it slower like 67-L_88 pointed out). And power going to the front wheels, this car is just not getting me excited at all. There are so much better things out there. ESPECIALLY in Australia, where they have cars like the Commodore SS-V that in my opinion completely kill this. Nice try though Toy, I’ll give you that.

08/20, 7:03 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

FWD for the loss. Typical Toy Ota offerings, though.

08/20, 7:28 PM

posted by:

Hidden_Hunter

We don’t even want it in OZ, the current aurion *cough* camry handles likes a piece of xxxx with 200kw. Toyota is kidding them selves charging almost the same price as HSV for a clubsport (hmm 307kw RWD vs 250kw FWD choices choices)

08/20, 7:46 PM

posted by:

Jordan

please, commodore. if this were a fwd g6 with 330hp you’d be creaming your pants, and we all know it.

08/20, 8:22 PM

posted by:

Fromes

wow, thats a lot of power for a front wheel drive camry…I think it will be quicker then 6.1 seconds to sixty…a 268 horsepower version will hit it in like 6.6-6.5

08/20, 8:25 PM

posted by:

Bimmer

$57,000 for a friggin’ Camry?!

08/20, 8:53 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

Well it does look like a turd. And by the way, why does bizzaro America get all the good stuff?

08/20, 8:57 PM

posted by:

04focus

That’s AU$57,000 not US$.

08/20, 9:02 PM

posted by:

GMCsyclone#478

Jordan, I think Commodore’s point is valid because this Toyota’s competitors are rear wheel drive; the competitors of the G6 (from your example) are not. Isn’t $56,990 outrageous for a front wheel drive sedan considering the performance (or lack of). I think this car does look better on the outside than our American Camry, but the interior still looks cheap in my opinion.

Are they actually numbering these things?

08/20, 9:21 PM

posted by:

Hidden_Hunter

AU$57,000 is still US$46,000

The Holden Commodore SS-V (not even the hot HSV version) will dominate over the toyota in every aspect, more power, RWD, available as a manual and a nicer interior…

08/20, 9:26 PM

posted by:

mbgg099

Would never pay that for a F-king TOYOTA, never

08/20, 10:03 PM

posted by:

musclemustang94

If they think they are going to compete with holden and ford for that segment they had better try harder than that!

08/20, 10:28 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Hidden_Hunter - exactly..anyone who buys a Toyota as a sports car is just too ****ing loyal to toyota to see the real sports cars out there. An argument can’t be made for Toyotas as boring daily commuters (and even for that I think there are better choices out there) but that’s it. If this is how Toy does a “sports” car than it doesn’t know sht about sports cars. All show and no go.

08/20, 10:43 PM

posted by:

///m

It should be RWD…

08/21, 12:13 AM

posted by:

2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat

i was actually planning on saying something positive about this car but after reading these posts…maybe not.

08/21, 1:41 AM

posted by:

meekin111

This isnt even close to the Commodore SS/Falcon XR8 or HSV Clubsport/FPV GT

08/21, 9:49 AM

posted by:

GMCsyclone#478

2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat, I was gonig to compliment Toyota too. But my mind changed when i saw the price (even after adjusting to US dollars).

08/21, 9:54 AM

posted by:

autonut

Esthetically it is more pleasant then a dolphin shnooze for US market, but engine isn’t impressive. They could use 3.5 L V6 from states which pumps more ponies. The supercharger is probably for torque. It is not in the same class as new Accord, but Accord is for US market and aussies will probably not get it. This is good enough for down under.

08/21, 10:08 AM

posted by:

Hidden_Hunter

wtf “good enough for downunder” what are you smoking?

We get both the Accord and Accord Euro so you’d be um wrong

08/21, 12:29 PM

posted by:

kosai03

There is a reason that most manufacturers put the HP cap for FWD vehicles at ~300HP (and often a little lower for lightweight FWD cars), the 6.1 s 0-60 of this car is a perfect example of that. It’s almost useless for them from a stop. The only place it could really help is when the car is already moving at a good speed.

08/21, 3:53 PM

posted by:

deutschetouring1337

Wheres the news on the new Supra?

08/21, 4:18 PM

posted by:

illwill

What a waste of metal

 
 
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