2000 Toyota Avalon Press Kit

29 May 2000

1. TOYOTA LAUNCHES NEW LARGE SIX
2. FOUR MODELS IN AVALON RANGE
3. AVALON IS LEAST EXPENSIVE BIG SIX BUILT IN AUSTRALIA
4. AVALON SALES PATTERN SET TO BREAK INDUSTRY MOULD
5. AVALON A REAL ALTERNATIVE ACROSS LARGE SIX MARKET
6. AVALON ADDRESSES TOWING NEEDS
7. CHANGING MARKET PREFERENCES GIVE AVALON ITS OPPORTUNITY
8. AVALON BODY KIT IS AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST
9. TOYOTA OFFERS "BREAK THROUGH" AVALON ACCESSORY
10. TOYOTA AVALON ENGINEERED FOR AUSTRALIA
11. "AUSTRALIANISATION" TAKES AVALON AHEAD
12. AVALON HAS MOST ADVANCED ENGINE
13. SUSPENSION TUNING REFLECTS LOCAL IRS EXPERIENCE
14. AVALON IS FIRST WITH SIDE AIRBAGS
15. WHITE LIGHT FOR NEW AVALON
16. AVALON BIG ON BODY STRENGTH
17. AVALON HAS INCREASED TOWING CAPACITY
18. LOCAL EXPERTISE KEEPS OUT DUST
19. AVALON HAS LARGEST COLOUR RANGE
20. AVALON BUILT TO LAST
21. LOCAL FIRM GIVES AVALON ITS "FACE"
22. AVALON HAS LOCALLY DEVELOPED SEATS
23. AVALON DESIGNED TO BEAT FATIGUE
24. AVALON HAS LOW NVH
25. AVALON REDUCES SPEECH INTERFERENCE FREQUENCIES
26. AVALON TRIP COMPUTER POINTS THE WAY
27. POWERFUL NEW AUDIO SYSTEMS FOR AVALON
28. AVALON HAS PROGRAMMABLE SECURITY FEATURES
29. AVALON HAS VERSATILE STORAGE LOCATIONS
30. SPECIFICATIONS

TOYOTA LAUNCHES NEW LARGE SIX

Toyota has launched a new large car in Australia.
The new Toyota Avalon is the product of three years local development, in conjunction with Toyota Motor Corporation.

It offers high levels of driving dynamics and low interior noise levels.

Local design items span the full gamut from the underbody and ABS system, to the eight-function trip computer and body electronics.

Avalon is the first Toyota in Australia with a trip computer and the first four-door Toyota in Australia with side airbag availability.

Australian Avalon has been designed to accommodate a greater variety of road conditions and higher average speeds than its US cousin.

Avalon's body has been strengthened to suit local conditions and increase durability.

The built-in-Australia body has significantly greater torsional rigidity than the US-built vehicle.

It has a unique underbody and unique local steering and suspension calibration to provide high levels of ride and handling, and an overall feeling of quality.

Avalon's ride comfort package has been tailored to Australian tastes, with a well-controlled flat ride and improved steering feedback.

Australian Avalon will be offered in four grades ? Conquest, CSX, VXi and luxury Grande.

All have four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, all-alloy Quad Cam V6 engine and electronically controlled four-speed overdrive automatic transmission.

Safety equipment for all models includes dual SRS airbags and pretensioning front seatbelts with force limiters.

Electronic and electric functions include power windows, power mirrors, power antenna, remote central locking with rolling codes and owner-programmable two-stage door unlock, transponder engine immobiliser, audio with integrated telephone mute, and an eight-function trip computer with speed alert.

Comfort and convenience equipment includes headlamp auto-off with programmable delay, tilt-adjustable power steering, driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, and boot access through the rear seat.

Avalon CSX has the key additional features above Conquest of ABS, front side airbags, factory air conditioning, cruise control, CD player, six-speaker audio, front and rear map lamps, and front passenger seat lumbar adjustment.

VXi has the added specification of alloy wheels, power-operated driver's seat, woodgrain trim, climate-control air conditioning with push-button controls, leather-steering wheel and shift lever, leather-covered double centre console lid, remote electric boot release and integrated alarm system with panic mode.

Avalon Grande has front foglamps, unique alloy wheels, two-tone paint availability, leather seat trim, luminous instruments, power-operated front seats, anti-jam protection on the driver's power window, power tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, headlamps auto-on, power tilt-and slide moonroof and a seven-speaker audio with 6-CD in-dash multi-changer.

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FOUR MODELS IN AVALON RANGE

Toyota's new large car has four well-specified model variants.
The four Avalon models have a shared chassis/driveline package that consists of four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, all-alloy Quad Cam V6 engine and electronically controlled four-speed overdrive automatic transmission.

All Avalons have as standard equipment dual SRS airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, power windows, power mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering column, remote central locking with rolling codes and owner-programmable two-stage door unlock, and an eight-function trip computer with speed alert.

Avalon's standard equipment also includes driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, headlamp auto-off with programmable delay, transponder engine immobiliser, audio with integrated telephone mute, power antenna and boot access through the rear seat.

Front seat side airbags, ABS anti-skid brakes and cruise control are optionally available on the Conquest and standard equipment on the other three grades.

The four Avalon model grades are, in ascending order: Conquest, CSX, VXi and Grande.

Avalon CSX has the key additional features above Conquest of ABS, front side airbags, factory air conditioning, cruise control, CD player, six-speaker audio (in lieu of four-speaker audio), front and rear map lamps, and front passenger seat lumbar adjustment.

Avalon VXi has the added specification of alloy wheels, power-operated driver's seat, woodgrain look trim, climate-control air conditioning with push-button controls, leather-covered steering wheel and gear-shift lever, remote electric boot release and integrated alarm system with panic mode.

Added specification in luxury Avalon Grande includes front foglamps, unique alloy wheels, two-tone paint, leather seat trim and door inserts, luminous instruments, power-operated front passenger's seat, anti-jam protection on the driver's power window, power tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, headlamps auto-on, power tilt-and slide moonroof, and seven-speaker audio system with 6-CD in-dash multi-changer and separate amplifier.

Manual air conditioning is optionally available on Avalon Conquest.

Power tilt and slide moonroof is optionally available on CSX and VXi models.

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AVALON IS LEAST EXPENSIVE BIG SIX BUILT IN AUSTRALIA

Toyota's Avalon is set to become the least expensive big six automatic sedan built in Australia.
Entry level Avalon Conquest would come to market at a recommended retail price of $30,330 in pre-GST calculation.

It would be 1.8 percent ($540) less expensive than entry level Commodore and more than seven percent ($2,085) beneath entry level Falcon.

Avalon will become the first new Toyota to go on sale under Australia's landmark goods and services tax regime.

It is to be released through dealers on July 1, 2000 to coincide with the new tax structure.

Post GST recommended prices for the large Avalon will be announced at the time of public release of the vehicle.

Toyota has made pre-GST price calculations as a necessary means of allowing customers and dealers to place pre-launch orders.

The calculations reveal Avalon as strongly competitive throughout all grades, both in price and specification.

Avalon's level three Grande carries a superior level of specification value, 4.8 percent more than its nearest competitor, and 8.8 percent more than the other.

"Much hinges on positive customer response to Avalon's value for money proposition, which will be enhanced under a GST regime," Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

Toyota's decision to withhold post-GST pricing was controversial but unavoidable in the circumstances.

A sound pricing policy was paramount to the vehicle's positioning in the Australian large six market.

Mr Conomos said the rationale of Avalon's engineering and manufacturing schedule had been to achieve economy at all stages of development, while adhering to Toyota's high quality standards.

"The result has been a vehicle which is built to Toyota standards and which is priced highly competitively in Australia's heartland market.

"Value for money is a cornerstone of Avalon's launch proposition."


TOYOTA AVALON

INDICATIVE PRICES - IN PRE GST CALCULATION.

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AVALON SALES PATTERN SET TO BREAK INDUSTRY MOULD

Toyota expects to deliver 24,000 of its new large car Avalon within Australia in its first full year of sale.
Avalon could account for 15 percent of sales in the large car segment* and about 20 percent of automatic transmission sedan-only deliveries.

Avalon is likely to have a profound effect on the large car market.

Importantly the pattern of purchase for Avalon is likely to be substantially different to normal industry experience.

Toyota has budgeted to sell more of its Avalon in higher specification levels and less at entry level than the industry average.

Significantly, more private drivers on average will use Avalon than the vehicles of either of the traditional two large car suppliers.

Seventy-three percent of all large sixes are sold at entry level, but Toyota expects to deliver less than 40 percent of its Avalons in level one trim.

The large six market has traditionally been dominated by government, business and rental purchases.

Private buyers make up just 18 percent of the category.

Government sales command 35 percent of all sales, business comprises 40 percent and large rental fleets each year buy just on seven percent of all large sixes.

Toyota believes demand for its Avalon will be split equally between private and business buyers, a major departure from industry experience.

"Certainly Avalon has a lot to offer business - especially people who are already Toyota customers," Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

"Avalon offers another major opportunity for Toyota to service its business partners with a complete range of vehicles.

"The concept of a one stop shop for all sales, and particularly for all service, is most attractive to many businesses.

"Toyota has the broadest range of vehicles of any car maker and Avalon provides a substantial opportunity to secure the entire business of many fleet and business customers."

Mr Conomos said brand loyalty and Toyota's reputation for longevity and build quality would drive a major thrust into the private market.

"There are many private drivers who are going to order Avalon because it is a Toyota and it does meet their space and performance requirements."

* Share calculations based on TMCA's assessment of market segments.

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AVALON A REAL ALTERNATIVE ACROSS LARGE SIX MARKET

The Toyota Avalon is intended to offer a genuine alternative to Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
Growth of alternative vehicles has been strong in the last half decade. In 1995 Commodore and Falcon claimed 83 percent of the combined medium six and large six market.*

In 2000 (YTD March) they made up 71 percent.

The combined medium six and large six market has risen just on seven percent in the last five years.

The segment has grown on the strength of vehicles which provide contemporary solutions.

Environmentally friendly engines with high specific power outputs and optimum vehicle package efficiency have now become far more important as part of the consumer buying process in this segment.

"It would be very wrong to categorise Toyota Avalon as only a direct competitor to Commodore and Falcon," Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

"That would understate its ability to provide an incremental, additional choice."

Toyota Avalon was intended to capture and deliver the best attributes of all vehicles in the category.

Its level one car, Conquest, is intended to make up better than one third of the planned Avalon model mix.

A level one-plus car, the CSX, is forecast to comprise an additional quarter.

Level two Avalon VXi will also account for a quarter of all sales against an industry average of 14 percent.

The level three Avalon Grande will fulfil double the category experience in the prestigious upper large six segment.

It offered size and performance comparable to the traditional large sixes.

Its ride, handling and build quality was intended to challenge all vehicles in the class.

* Share calculations based on TMCA's assessment of market segments.

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AVALON ADDRESSES TOWING NEEDS

Avalon's towing capacity meets the requirements of the majority of users without the necessity to resort to four wheel drive power.
Interior dimensions match ? and in some cases exceed ? most current Big Six competitors.

"It is important that Avalon presents clear credentials not just as a competitor in the Big Six market ? but as a leader in key areas," Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

"Avalon is an important vehicle in the development of Toyota in Australia.

"It may even be pivotal," Mr Conomos said.

"It has the size of the big sixes, and delivers power and performance in a totally contemporary manner.

"According to Toyota figures, it accelerates faster that its traditional competitors in key zones, and it is quieter and more efficient.

"Even, for example, its air conditioning system has been tuned for Australian conditions ? and that's an important factor in Australian heat."

Avalon pointed to a positive and defined future for the local automotive manufacturing industry.

It proved the value of a program of international co-operation which delivered a global product to local customers.

"By its very existence as the first Toyota-built Big Six competitor, Avalon should be regarded as phase-one of our ongoing development program," Mr Conomos said.

"Toyota has committed itself to this market ? and therefore will continue development."

Avalon had pioneered international sourcing of components and know-how more than any other vehicle built by Toyota.

It could become the benchmark for future globalisation plans.

Toyota marketed a badge-engineered large car, the Lexcen, in the early 1990s.

It is expected Avalon will fulfil requirements of some customers currently being met by both those vehicles.

However substitution is expected to be held to a minimum.

"Toyota learned a lot from its Lexcen experience ? both in manufacturing and marketing terms," Mr Conomos said.

"That knowledge established the ground rules from which we could launch this serious single company attack on one of the most entrenched market segments in Australia."

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CHANGING MARKET PREFERENCES GIVE AVALON ITS OPPORTUNITY

The power shift in the Australian automotive industry has been subtle and to a degree disguised.
Until 1997 traditional Big Six cars clearly comprised the country's largest selling category.

Then they were overtaken by the small car sector.

In 1996, according to VFACTS, 135,000 small fours were delivered in Australia compared to 164,000 traditional Big Sixes.

One year later small fours were up to 174,000 and Big Sixes had diminished to 151,000.

They have never regained volume leadership.

Vehicles in the lower luxury segment have also had an impact on Big Six sales.

Vehicles which match the higher level big sixes in performance, specification and to a degree size, have become a relatively small but important source of competition.

The two principal lower luxury competitors last year delivered around 2.5 percent of the total Big Six deliveries ? but that still accounted for 3600 sales.

"There is growing expectation, especially amongst private buyers, for a standard of refinement the equal of any car in any category," Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

"Business buyers in the large six category also want standards of build quality and performance which exceed expectations of just a few years ago.

"There is no doubt that all manufacturers have been working to meet these goals.

"There is also no doubt that changing market preference provides Toyota Avalon with a significant opportunity."

Mr Conomos said the majority of Avalons would be sold in the business and private sectors.

The Avalon proposition would be helped by existing loyalty amongst customers to Toyota's vehicles.

"It is Toyota's expectation that Avalon also will engender strong customer loyalty," Mr Conomos said.

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AVALON BODY KIT IS AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST

Toyota has launched its new Avalon model with a body kit unique to Australia and a range of three alloy wheel styles reflecting the local market's appetite for vehicle customisation.
The subtly-styled Avalon Arista body enhancement kit comprises front, rear and side skirts, a bright chrome-finish mesh grille, and an Arista decal.

For further customization Avalon buyers have a choice of 2 rear spoilers.

A unique "boot lip" rear spoiler design, provides a subtle extension to the boot line.

For those wanting a sportier look, the second choice is a more traditional style of spoiler providing more aggressive styling.

Avalon is the fifth Toyota model to be offered locally with a body kit, and was entirely designed and conceived by T-CAM (Toyota - Conversions, Accessories and Motorsport).

The skirts and spoiler are made from high quality, durable injection-moulded automotive plastics which are superior to fibreglass commonly used in the aftermarket.

The parts were designed by T-CAM's designers and engineers to perfectly fit Avalon's body for a fully integrated finish.

"The Avalon Arista kit is a more refined, more European-style, body kit than the aggressive kits produced for Celica and Camry," Toyota Australia's Tony Bottacin said.

Toyota Australia has built 250 Arista kits for display by its dealer network at the time of vehicle launch.

Three alloy wheel styles are available for Avalon - one 16 inch and two 15 inch styles.

The 15" Platinum wheel offers subtle sports styling with its silver curved five-spoke design. The 15" dual-spoke Sandown wheel provides a race-bred look.

The 16" Arista alloy wheel features a curved five-spoke bright machined design and requires the replacement of Avalon's original tyres, allowing fitment of low profile, high performance tyres.

Sports styled interior floor mats with embroidered Avalon logo are available to complement the exterior styling accessories.

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TOYOTA OFFERS "BREAK THROUGH" AVALON ACCESSORY

A newly-developed side airbag-compatible seat cover heads the list of Genuine Accessories for new Avalon.
The "break through" new accessory is the first side airbag-compatible full coverage fabric seat cover offered for an Australian-built vehicle.

The seat cover features an innovative side seam which allows the stitching to burst open and release the side airbag without inhibiting deployment and inflation timing. It was designed, developed and tested locally by T-CAM.

"With side-airbags standard on CSX, VXi and Grande - and an option on Conquest - we recognised the market for a fabric seat cover which did not affect airbag operation," Toyota Australia's Tony Bottacin said.

Available in two fabric choices to suit either the grey or oak vehicle trim, the colours and pattern of the tailor-made seat covers complement Avalon's interior. Two quick-detach towbars - 1600 kilogram heavy duty and 1200 kilogram ? also offered for new Avalon Both towbars were developed to cater for demanding local towing applications and were subjected to a rigorous towing evaluation in outback and urban Australia.

The Avalon accessory list also includes a reverse parking sensor kit.

The kit consists of two radar sensors, positioned in the rear bumper near the outer corners plus a wiring loom, computer and cabin warning beeper. The beeping increases in frequency as objects behind the vehicle become closer.

Easy-fit Toyota aeroracks which are aerodynamically designed for low windnoise and drag are also available.

The aeroracks, which comply with the new Australian standard for roof racks, feature a quick release mechanism and suit Toyota's existing range of attachments.

The Avalon accessory range also includes traditional acrylic exterior protector products - headlight covers, bonnet protector and weathershields.

Gold badging, rear tinted sunguard and carpet floor mats complete the Avalon Genuine Accessory lineup.

The range is covered by Toyota's three year/100,000 kilometre accessory warranty when fitted at the time of purchase of a new vehicle.

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TOYOTA AVALON ENGINEERED FOR AUSTRALIA

Toyota has spent more than three years engineering its new Avalon large car for Australia.
Forty engineers in Toyota Australia's product engineering division have made extensive changes to the vehicle's American-built forebear ? to add refinement and suit local requirements.

The vehicle is well specified, with dual SRS airbag and power windows on all models.

Toyota Australia engineers say that the Australian Avalon is up to 10dB quieter inside than Commodore at some engine speeds.

Local design items span the full gamut from the underbody and ABS system, to the trip computer.

The Avalon has a unique underbody, which utilises TMCA's experience and expertise from building cars suitable for the Australian market place and environmental conditions.

The cabin floor and the seats are unique to Australia. These have been developed to suit local conditions and customer requirements.

The rear seat shape has been designed for Australian needs, where large-six vehicles regularly carry five people.

New safety features include side airbags on most models and front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters.

Both features are firsts for a built-in-Australia Toyota.

Avalon will be the first four-door Toyota in Australia with side airbags.

Local engineers have developed a unique suspension calibration to provide high levels of ride and handling, and an overall feeling of quality.

Steering characteristics have also been developed to complement the suspension revisions.

Active safety features include the availability of Bosch anti-skid brakes (ABS).

The vehicle's all-alloy Quad Cam V6 engine has been modified for local driving, with a new exhaust system and electronic control unit.

It develops more power and torque, and has a different driving characteristic to the sister Quad Cam V6 in Camry.

Locally developed exterior features include the alloy wheels, wheel caps, radiator grille, bumpers (both in profile and manufacturing method), exterior mirrors and body side protection mouldings.

Inside, the new Avalon has a locally developed eight-function trip computer and speed alert.

An audio system design has been locally developed along with a new centre console design, new rear seat arm rest and new door trims.

The body computer also has been locally developed.

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"AUSTRALIANISATION" TAKES AVALON AHEAD

Toyota Australia's large car development program has taken the vehicle to new levels in vehicle dynamics and NVH suppression.
Australian development of the Avalon has broadened the model range to meet local market requirements.

The built-in-Australia model will be offered in twice as many equipment levels as the US-built car.

Components have been sourced from several areas - locally developed, model-shared local, CKD (from Japan and USA), from TMC and from TMMNA in Kentucky.

Improved driving dynamics and driver/passenger satisfaction were major local design objectives.

Australian Avalon has been designed to accommodate a greater variety of road conditions and higher average speeds than its US cousin.

Special development features included a new bi-level ventilation system, which can simultaneously direct cold air to the driver and front passenger's faces and warm air to their feet.

It can deliver a 25-degree difference in temperature between the face outlets and the footwells.

Avalon's body has been strengthened to suit local conditions and increase durability.

The built-in-Australia body has significantly greater torsional rigidity than the US-built vehicle.

The large car's ride comfort package has been tailored to Australian tastes, with a well-controlled flat ride and improved steering feedback.

Local engineers developed all-new front seats to improve support and lateral hold.

The rear-seat was reshaped to accommodate three people in comfort.

A low NVH rating was a key design objective in achieving a prestige-class package, but at a sub-prestige price.

The vehicle's NVH was benchmarked against the locally built Vienta V6, regarded by many as one of the most refined vehicles built in Australia.

Toyota Avalon has a Quad Cam V6 engine and electronically controlled automatic transmission, to minimise NVH at the source.

Wind and road noise have been reduced compared with the US-built car.

Wind noise reduction measures included the development of all-new exterior mirrors.

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AVALON HAS MOST ADVANCED ENGINE

Toyota's new Avalon has the most advanced engine in a built-in-Australia car.
Toyota designed the 1MZ-FE engine for a balance of performance, strong low-to- mid-range torque, fuel economy, low emissions and low NVH.

Advanced features of the Toyota 1MZ-FE engine include an acoustic-controlled induction system to maximise torque, air-assisted full sequential multi-point fuel injection to improve fuel atomisation, molybdenum-coated pistons to reduce friction, direct ignition, twin-sensor knock control and an engine service weight of just 151 kilograms.

Toyota has recalibrated the 1MZ-FE engine to meet its performance targets for Avalon.

The Avalon has more power and torque than its sister engine in Camry V6.

It delivers 145kW of power at 5200rpm and 284Nm of torque at 4400rpm.

The new large car has a different driving characteristic to Camry V6, with quicker acceleration through the rev range.

Avalon's engine has a new two-stage muffler and a new engine management electronic control unit.

The variable muffler system reduces back-pressure at high engine speeds, while maintaining the same levels of silencing performance as a conventional (non-variable) muffler at low engine speeds.

Avalon's V6 engine is matched to an intelligent electronically controlled four-speed overdrive transmission (ECT-I).

The ECT-I eliminates the need for driver-selectable power and normal shift modes.

The transmission constantly adjusts the shift regime according to the rate of change in throttle angle.

The Toyota A541E transmission includes a Super Flow torque converter, for maximum efficiency.

The torque converter has a fuel-saving lock-up function which operates on third and fourth (overdrive) gears.

The A541E transmission has ratios of: first, 2.810; second, 1.549; third, 1.000; fourth, 0.735 and reverse, 2.296.

It is matched to a final drive ratio of 3.933:1.

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SUSPENSION TUNING REFLECTS LOCAL IRS EXPERIENCE

New Toyota Avalon's local suspension tuning is the work of Australia's most experienced team of four wheel independent suspension development engineers.
Toyota Australia's suspension engineers tested numerous iterations of the Avalon suspension before they were satisfied it met their exacting requirements for local conditions.

They also drew on almost two decades' experience of developing fully independent suspension systems for local Toyotas, starting in the early 1980s with development of the first local Camry prior to its 1986 launch.

Since then the team has honed its tuning of independent suspension systems over successive generations of Camry, Corolla and now Avalon.

General Manager Product Engineering, John Bell, said the Port Melbourne-based development engineers had built up an intimate understanding of how to get the best from such systems.

"Whereas independent rear suspension was a rarity among other local cars until recently, our local products have featured nothing else since the mid-1980s," he said.

"In Avalon we have developed a unique suspension tuned specifically for Australia, and we'd like to think our experience shows.

"Japan gave us very much a free hand with Avalon, in recognition of our unique requirements and our ability as suspension tuners."

Even before the local engineers began work on Avalon, they had a good idea of what general settings and specifications would achieve their objectives for ride and handling.

This allowed them to concentrate on detail work, refining the myriad design details that add refinement to a suspension set-up.

Mr Bell said the Avalon team was particularly proud of the car's combination of handling response and ride comfort.

"For a big car that is biased very much towards comfort and luxury, we believe Avalon has turned out to be a fine-handling vehicle," he said.

"Achieving such results requires intimate understanding of the vehicle plus a lot of work on the subtleties which affect its performance in small but important ways.

"We put a lot of work into getting it right, testing numerous combinations of springs, dampers and other suspension components to find the result we wanted.

"It has taken a lot of hard work, but we are very pleased with the balance we have achieved."

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AVALON IS FIRST WITH SIDE AIRBAGS

The new Avalon is Toyota's first four-door model in Australia with front-seat side airbags.
Side airbags are available across the range.

They are standard equipment on Avalon CSX, VXi and Grande, and optionally available on entry level Conquest.

The electronically controlled side airbag system includes G sensors in the B pillars and floor centre.

Avalon's comprehensive passive safety package includes electronic dual front SRS airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters and adjustable upper seatbelt anchorages as standard equipment.

Toyota is the only local manufacturer to provide automatic locking retractor rear seatbelts, to assist baby capsules/baby seat retention.

Avalon has three lap-sash rear seatbelts.

Rear seatbelt length has been increased compared with Camry, for easer fitting of baby seats and capsules.

Active Safety:

Avalon's active safety package includes the availability of ABS anti-skid brakes on all models.

ABS is standard equipment on Avalon CSX, VXi and Grande, and optionally available on Conquest.

Avalon's active safety package also includes its four-wheel independent suspension, locally developed steering and handling calibration, cool-air by-pass and variable instrument dimmer to reduce the chance of driver fatigue, and new locally developed headlamps.

Avalon's design includes two features to keep rainwater off the side and rear windows ? a large rain gutter in the windscreen moulding and a grooved flush-mount rear window moulding.

Avalon's rear visibility allows the driver to see the boot lid and the top of a one-metre high obstacle placed against the rear bumper.

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WHITE LIGHT FOR NEW AVALON

Toyota's new Avalon has leading-edge locally developed headlamps.
Toyota Australia engineers set the development goal of best in class for Avalon's headlamps, to suit Australian driving conditions.

Local conditions place a premium on the penetration, spread and brightness of car headlamps.

The new Avalon lamps are unique to the Australian-built model.

The new headlamps are multi-reflector type with clear polycarbonate lenses.

They provide a bright white light and are particularly suited to night driving on country roads.

Light spread on high-beam has also been increased compared with the already impressive headlamps on current Camry, to better illuminate sides of the road, thus providing greater safety through increasing driver awareness of surrounding conditions.

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AVALON BIG ON BODY STRENGTH

Toyota's new Avalon has impressive body strength.
Avalon's body combines the unique locally developed underbody with a reinforced upper body.

The new torsionally rigid body, provides a stable platform for Avalon's four-wheel independent suspension and contributes to the local vehicle's impressively low NVH.

The drivetrain and suspension are mounted on rubber-isolated anti-vibration subframes.

Avalon's body has been designed to ensure a high level of collision impact energy absorption for the front, rear and sides of the vehicle - with minimum deformation of the passenger space.

Reinforcement panels have been placed on the front pillar and roof side rail, and the rocker panels.

A comprehensive side collision-impact absorbing structure includes reinforced, large-section body frame members and two large under-floor cross members.

There are large tubular side impact beams in all four doors.

Cabin rigidity has been further increased by adopting a large "V" brace behind the rear seat-back.

Usability features of Avalon's body include the adoption of a door lower moulding, to prevent dirt collecting on the rocker panels.

It prevents occupants from inadvertently soiling trouser legs/skirts when entering and leaving the vehicle.

Avalon also has a large rain gutter in the windscreen moulding and a grooved flush-mount rear window moulding, to reduce water drainage onto side and rear windows.

Flush Surfacing:

Australian Avalon has a low coefficient of drag (CD) of 0.32, to maximise fuel economy and reduce wind noise.

Special attention has been paid to flush-surfacing the joints between the windscreen and roof, roof and rear window, and the A, B and C pillars with the side windows.

In addition, Avalon has a large engine undercover, to smooth airflow under the vehicle and hence improve aerodynamics and reduce noise.

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AVALON HAS INCREASED TOWING CAPACITY

Toyota's new Avalon has debunked the myth that a large front drive car is unsuitable for towing.
Confirmation towing testing of Avalon saw the new Toyota outperform its traditional large six rivals in some key areas.

Toyota's new Avalon has a towing capacity of up to 1600 kilograms.

The Toyota Avalon Quad Cam V6 has significantly increased towing capacity compared with its US counterpart.

The Australianisation process for Avalon included development of a special towing package.

The heavy duty towing package gives the vehicle a towing capacity of 1600kg (with trailer brakes)*.

The package consists of a genuine accessory 1600kg capacity tow bar, body reinforcing brackets and a load levelling device.

Avalon's standard towing capacity of 1200kg (with trailer brakes*) is suitable for towing trailers, pop-up caravans and boats.

Avalon's towing capacity without trailer brakes is 750kg, which is 250kg more than its three direct competitors.

Toyota Australia conducted intensive testing with Avalon and its competitors to confirm the vehicle's towing performance.

The confirmation testing saw Avalon and its competitors cover 3000 kilometres in Central Victoria, with the vehicles alternating between towing a 1200kg trailer (with no load leveller) and an eight-berth caravan weighing 1600kg.

Toyota Australia engineers said Avalon's rigid body structure, locally developed suspension package, with stiffer rear springs and firmer damper rates makes a significant contribution to towing performance.

Avalon's front-wheel drive configuration assists in towing stability, particularly when accelerating or when towing a heavy load, as the front wheels pull the vehicle and trailer.

Towing played a significant role in the development of the rack and pinion steering which resulted in improved direct feel and more direct response.

The result is a more confident driving experience while towing.

In addition, the Australian Avalon has improved performance from its Quad Cam V6 engine.

Fitting the load-levelling device ensures Avalon has good traction and straight-line stability when towing at maximum capacity.

* Towing capacity subject to tow-bar design and statutory requirements.

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LOCAL EXPERTISE KEEPS OUT DUST

Intensive local development of Toyota Avalon has significantly improved its dust sealing.
Dust control is a prime factor for Australia, with over 60 percent of country roads still unsealed.

Early evaluation of the US-built car highlighted the severe dust conditions in Australia and the subsequent need for additional solutions to eliminate entry through the lower edge of the rear doors and into the boot.

TMC engineers were so impressed with the early dust control work performed in Australia that the dust control development for Avalon was assigned to Toyota Australia.

This represented yet another TMC vote of confidence in local evaluation and development expertise.

Dust control features of the locally manufactured Avalon include a new rear quarter vent valve, which allows air out and prevents dust entry - thereby preventing dust entry to the boot.

Improved sealing on the bottom of the rear doors has prevented dust entry to the rear door surrounds ? where it could soil the passengers' clothing as they entered and exited the vehicle.

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AVALON HAS LARGEST COLOUR RANGE

Toyota's new Avalon has the largest exterior colour range ever offered on a built-in-Australia Toyota.
There are 14 possible colours across the range, with ten mono-tones and four two-tone combinations.

Among the ten mono-tones are two solid colours, four metallics, two mica metallics, a mica and a metallic opalescent colour.

The majority of these exterior colours can be matched to either of two interior colour choices - Stone Grey and Fawn.

Avalon Conquest and CSX have the exterior colour choice of Crimson Red, Diamond White, Crystal Ice, Magnetic Silver, Cashmere, Harbour Blue, Silver Leaf, Emerald, Botany Blue and Tuscan Red.

Avalon VXi is offered in Diamond White, Crystal Ice, Magnetic Silver, Cashmere, Harbour Blue, Silver Leaf, Emerald, Botany Blue and Tuscan Red.

Luxury Avalon Grande has the Diamond White, Crystal Ice, Magnetic Silver, Cashmere, Harbour Blue, Silver Leaf, Emerald, Botany Blue and Tuscan Red, and the two-tone combinations of Emerald/Dark Silver, Tuscan Red/Dark Silver, Cashmere/Dark Silver and Silver Leaf/Crystal Ice.

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AVALON BUILT TO LAST

Toyota's new Avalon is built to last.
Eighty-four precent of Avalon's body is pressed from corrosion-resistant steel sheet.

Anti-corrosion galvannealed steel sheet is used for most exterior panels except the roof.

Galvannealed sheet is used for areas requiring maximum corrosion protection, such as the under-body, inner panels and engine bay.

In addition to the use of special steels, the entire Avalon body is electro-cathodically dipped for maximum corrosion protection.

The paint process includes a phosphate layer, an electro coat, a primer and the base paint coat.

Special attention has been paid to under-body protection, including a lower door moulding for improved stone-chip resistance.

A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating up to 1mm thick is applied to the under-body, to increase corrosion protection.

A thick coating of PVC is applied to the bottom of the cowl panel, fender apron and other parts which are subject to potential damage from flying stones.

Cavity wax and sealers are applied to the hemming areas of the doors, bonnet and boot lid to improve corrosion-resistance.

Hinge wax is applied to the door hinges and bonnet, to further increase longevity.

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LOCAL FIRM GIVES AVALON ITS "FACE"

Toyota Australia broke new ground during the development of Australian-built Avalon by commissioning a local design company to give the car its "face".
It called in Melbourne-based Millard Design to provide local flavour and differentiate the four model grades.

Millard Design styled Avalon's unique radiator grille.

The company views giving the car its "face" as the key to a customer knowing the brand of the vehicle.

Millard Design then worked with Toyota Australia and Toyota Motor Corporation to develop and productionise the grille.

Prototype grilles were wind-tunnel tested - to ensure radiator airflow and noise level targets were met.

Avalon's grille is made in two parts, to meet the production needs of the different grade/colour combinations.

The outer section of the grille is painted body colour or chromed as required while the inner section is painted light grey or charcoal depending on grade level.

Millard Design also designed Avalon's two types of wheel caps and two versions of alloy wheels.

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AVALON HAS LOCALLY DEVELOPED SEATS

Toyota Avalon's all-new locally developed seats provide improved comfort, support and lateral hold compared with both overseas Avalon seats and LM Camry seats.
The full-foam seats have been tuned to match Avalon's new locally developed suspension.

Avalon's rear seat has been completely redesigned and reshaped to accommodate three persons in greater comfort.

The rear seat design includes a folding centre armrest with two cup holders, and an access hatch to the boot.

The CSX, VXi and Grande rear seats have three separate height-adjustable head restraints.

Development of Avalon's seats saw Toyota Australia undertake a six-month master-seat program for the first time.

The master seat program involved specialised work on the fit, comfort and cutting technique for the seat coverings after the frame and padding had been finalised.

The new seats are bigger, longer and higher in the side bolsters than Camry seats.

They offer excellent comfort and more thigh support.

The CSX, VXi and Grande front seats have front side airbags as standard equipment.

Avalon VXi and Grande have driver's seat power lumbar, fore/aft, recline and seat-height adjustment.

Grande has front-passenger power seat-height, slide and recline adjustment.

Seat trims have been designed to suit Australian conditions.

Two colours are offered for each grade, to match Avalon's Stone Grey and Fawn interior colour choices.

The seat trims are:

Conquest - Tricot knit fabric

CSX - Circular knit fabric

VXi - plush Raschel knit fabric

Grande - leather (with delete option of the VXi material if the owner requests fabric seat covers).

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AVALON DESIGNED TO BEAT FATIGUE

Toyota's new Avalon has two advanced features specifically designed to reduce fatigue in long-distance driving.
It has a cool-air by-pass and an illumination dimmer for all the control lights in the cabin.

Toyota Australia has developed the cool-air by-pass as a unique feature for Avalon in Australia.

It is a direct result of input from Avalon chief engineer Yasuhiro Ikuta.

Mr Ikuta worked in Australia for three years as head of TMC's Australian representative office.

He soon learned to appreciate the particular needs of Australian road conditions and distances.

Mr Ikuta saw the need to reduce driver fatigue on long trips.

Avalon's cool-air by-pass can provide a 25 degree difference in temperature between the ventilation system's face outlets and footwell outlets.

It is designed to keep the driver alert while still warming the cabin when required.

Avalon's new instrumentation dimmer system is designed to reduce eye fatigue during night driving.

It reduces light levels from the instruments, audio system, heater/ventilation controls and the centre console "PRND2L" indicator.

Reducing the illumination within the cabin helps the driver's peripheral vision by reducing eye fatigue.

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AVALON HAS LOW NVH

The new Toyota Avalon is up to 10dB quieter than Commodore at some engine speeds.
Toyota Avalon has a comprehensive NVH package, with special attention paid to minimising NVH at the source.

A key element of Avalon's NVH package is its body stiffness - thanks to its unique Australian-developed underbody.

Avalon has the most advanced engine in the class and anti-vibration sub-frames front and rear.

Avalon's locally developed suspension calibration reduces harshness and body movement, while locally developed tyres minimise road noise.

Local NVH development also included exterior mirrors, to reduce wind noise.

The mirrors have a unique head design, with different profile between the mirror and the door to reduce turbulence behind the mirror.

NVH Counter Measures:

The new Avalon has a comprehensive package of NVH counter measures. Wind noise has been minimised by adopting the proven Camry aerodynamic features of a large rain gutter on the front pillars and a single-part upper windscreen glass moulding.

The large rain gutter diverts airflow and thus minimises air disturbance at the pillar, reducing the sound pressure level.

The one-piece upper windscreen moulding reduces any potential quality inconsistency and reduces the clearance between the glass and the body, thereby reducing wind noise.

Avalon also has an engine under-cover, to improve aerodynamics and hence reduce wind noise.

NVH-absorbing sandwich panel construction has been adopted for the dash panel and rear wheel housings.

Bonded energy-absorbing asphalt sheet has been optimally located on the cabin and boot floor, to reduce transmission of engine and road noise.

Sound-absorbing felt and a PVC sheet have been used for the upper back panel and rear seat back, to minimise sound transmission.

Foam-type seals have also been placed in the base portion of the front and centre pillar, to absorb noise.

Foam rubber has also been strategically placed in the door frames, the windscreen surround, and the C and D pillars - to reduce wind noise and eliminate tube resonance.

The SRS airbag-equipped steering wheel has a magnesium alloy frame, to reduce vibration.

Smoothest Engine:

Many design features of Avalon's all-alloy Quad Cam V6 1MZ-FE engine are aimed at reducing NVH.

These include:

* a 60 degree bank angle and deep-skirt cylinder block

* highly rigid, fully balanced crankshaft with even 120 degree firing intervals

* an aluminium sump with an integral stiffener plate

* a rigid mounting between the alloy sump, the engine block and transmission torque converter

* belt and scissors gear drive to the camshafts, to reduce noise and gear backlash

* an automatic cam-belt tensioner, with resin number one and two belt covers

* a new crankshaft pulley with aluminium hub and rubber torsional damper

* a liquid-filled front engine mount.

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AVALON REDUCES SPEECH INTERFERENCE FREQUENCIES

Toyota's new Avalon is playing its part in reviving the art of conversation.
One of the simple tests of a car's noise levels is how easily people can hear each other speak.

It is a test the new Toyota Avalon is designed to pass with flying colours.

Toyota's local NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) team has refined the Avalon to specifically reduce "speech interference frequencies" - noises which make it hard to hear the spoken voice.

General manager product engineering, John Bell, said these frequencies were one target of a major engineering effort to make Avalon an outstandingly quiet car for its occupants.

"We set the targets to improve the clarity of conversation in the cabin by reducing the background noise across the full range of driving conditions," he said.

"The frequencies involved are generally in the 200 Hertz to 6300 Hertz range - for audio enthusiasts, that corresponds roughly with the mid-range and treble of a three-band graphic equaliser.

Wherever possible, Avalon's engineering team attacked NVH at its source.

Mr Bell said a major part of the effort was to create a unique Australian floorpan.

"The Australian Avalon floor structure has been engineered to improve body stiffness and reduce harshness and body movements," he said.

"We already had the quietest, smoothest engine in the class, and we wanted to capitalise on that by making the entire car as quiet as possible.

"For example, we developed the aerodynamics of the external mirrors specifically to reduce turbulence noise, and we tuned the insulation package to suit our roads and conditions.

"The result is a car which is discernibly quieter than most people will have experienced before, with a particular focus on easy conversation," Mr Bell said.

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AVALON TRIP COMPUTER POINTS THE WAY

Toyota's new Avalon is the first Toyota model in Australia with a trip computer.
It is only the second Toyota outside Japan with this feature.

When development work began on Avalon's new eight-function trip computer, the only Toyota model in the world with a trip computer was the luxury domestic model Celsior (Lexus LS400 in Australia).

The trip computer is standard equipment on all Avalon models.

Its easy-to-read display and controls are included in Avalon's combination meter.

The eight functions are:

* clock

* speed alert

* distance to empty

* distance to destination

* instantaneous fuel economy

* average fuel consumption for trip

* fuel used on trip

* average speed for trip.

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POWERFUL NEW AUDIO SYSTEMS FOR AVALON

Toyota Avalon has all-new user-friendly audio units.
Toyota Australia has developed special 230mm wide audio head units to accommodate larger, more user-friendly displays and buttons.

Speaker systems have also been specially developed to suit the new locally built large car.

There are three new audio units and three speaker combinations.

All Avalon models have an electric radio antenna.

Entry level Avalon Conquest has a four-speaker audio system with 120 Watts maximum total power output, AM/FM electronic touch-tune radio and full-logic cassette deck.

The wide-range speaker locations are the front doors and rear window base.

Avalon CSX and VXi share a six-speaker 120 Watts total power output audio system with AM/FM electronic touch tune radio, full-logic cassette and a built-in single CD player.

The additional speakers are tweeters in the front doors.

Top of the range Avalon Grande is the first Toyota passenger car in Australia with a separate amplifier.

Grande has a seven-speaker audio system with two front wide-range speakers, two front tweeters, two wide-range speakers in the rear doors (in lieu of the rear window base) and a rear woofer in the centre of the rear window base.

The system delivers a total of 190 Watts.

Features of the Avalon Grande audio system include AM/FM electronic touch tune radio, full-logic cassette, 6-CD built-in CD changer and Digital Signal Processing.

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AVALON HAS PROGRAMMABLE SECURITY FEATURES

Toyota's new Avalon has a comprehensive security package.
All Avalon models have a transponder-type engine immobiliser and keyless central locking with owner-programmable two-stage door unlock.

The keyless entry system utilises rolling code technology (similar to the transponder engine immobiliser), to eliminate the possibility of theft by "code grabbing".

High-grade Avalon VXi and Grande have the additional features of a perimeter alarm system (with panic mode) and remote boot release on the key fob.

Avalon's security package also includes:

* security-coded audio system

* auto door relock after 15 seconds, if the remote is used but none of the doors are physically opened

* illuminated entry with fade-out timer

* illuminated exit

* door ajar cut-out, which extinguishes the dome lamp if a door is left ajar for more than 30 minutes - to eliminate the possibility of draining the battery

* owner-programmable horn chirp with door lock/unlock

* headlamp auto cut-out with owner-programmable extension of up to 60 seconds.

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AVALON HAS VERSATILE STORAGE LOCATIONS

Toyota's new Avalon has an impressive variety of cabin storage locations.
All Avalon models have large front door pockets, a large glovebox, a large centre console box, dual cup holders front and rear, a large pen holder next to the gear shift lever gate, and a storage location under the front ash tray.

Centre console box space has been maximised by adopting a foot-type parking brake.

The rear cupholders are in the centre armrest.

High-grade Avalon VXi and Grande have the additional feature of a leather-covered double-lid centre console.

Avalon also has access from the rear seat to the boot.

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SPECIFICATIONS

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